The Star Grand – Hotel Review

What makes a hotel great? Is it the view? Easy access to popular tourist sights? World-class food at your doorstep? It’s all these things (plus a few more) and The Star Grand Hotel ticks every box. Read on for the full review.

A picturesque 20-minute walk to the heart of the city, just minutes from harbour side parkland, and with restaurants, the Lyric Theatre and boutique shopping only an elevator ride away from guest rooms, this hotel is one of Sydney’s premier destinations for a city-break.

Where is The Star Grand Hotel?

In Pyrmont, just around the water from the Darling Harbour precinct, the hotel offers a peaceful break from the CBD and Circular Quay yet is only moments away from its biggest attractions (it’s a 30-minute walk to the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge).

What’s near The Star Grand Hotel?

The dining precinct of Barangaroo is a pleasant half hour stroll around the edge of Darling Harbour. Heading to the city? A footbridge over the water brings you to the CBD in around 20 minutes, where you can find light rail and train links to wider Sydney.

Room types

After a refresh, the 309 rooms, suites and penthouses are luxurious, thoughtfully designed and comfortable. More elegant than cool or quirky, pale wood-look flooring, modern furniture and pops of bright accent colour combine to create the feeling of staying in an upmarket contemporary home. 400-thread-count linens, goose down quilts, marble bathrooms, De’Longhi coffee machines, wi-fi, television – and robes and slippers – are standard across all room categories.

Restaurants and bars

Towering above one of Sydney’s best food courts, the hotel spoils guests with dining choice. Stay long enough to try Chase Kojima’s stellar contemporary Japanese at Sokyo (the Tuna Crispy Rice nigiri and Wagyu Flank Steak are sublime), the swish steak house specialties at BLACK Bar & Grill and seafood at recently relocated Sydney icon, Flying Fish. Din Tai Fung, Gelato Messina and other delicious grab-and-go options are also available on site.

Travel for work

An executive lounge and boardroom make The Star Grand an appealing option for business meetings and small conference groups. Both the 12-person boardroom – with wi-fi, LCD screen and conference phone, tea and coffee facilities and more – can be booked in advance for exclusive use. In addition, Star Suites feature comfortable workstations and high-speed wi-fi for those who prefer working from an in-room office.

Pool, gym and spa

The Darling Spa, within neighbouring sister hotel The Darling, is Sydney’s largest spa and Star Grand Hotel guests can book time in any of its eleven treatment rooms (and two couples’ suites), steam room, Jacuzzi and Moroccan Hammam. At the chic and tranquil facility practitioners use La Prairie skincare in an extensive range of facials, from The Caviar Essential facial to the Swiss Ice Crystal experience. The Star Grand has a pool and a fully equipped gym on Level 5.

What you need to know

The range of dining options at The Star Grand is second to none.

SEE ALSO: The Best Hotels in and Around Sydney’s CBD