Capella Sydney — Hotel in Sydney

UPDATE: After I posted my review a member of the Capella team contacted a related third party complaining about my review. The third party then contacted me to have me remove my review resulting in a now fractured relationship with that person. This is HIGHLY unethical and unprofessional - not at all the conduct of an individual who is suppose to reflect a 5 star establishment. I also noticed another 1 star review, which was left a few hours before mine, had been removed. As such, I surmised that the team at Capella contacts those who leave unfavourable reviews to have them remove or alter their feedback to reflect a bias and untrue account of the hotel. I did changed my rating from two stars to one star after this enormous misconduct.

We stayed 2 nights at Capella from 28th-30th of March in the King Delux Suite which cost $2K + per night for my partner's birthday. Our stay wasn't what we expected from a 5 star luxury hotel especially when celebrating a special occasion. Firstly, the spa was initially fully booked despite trying to get a treatment for two people, five days out from our stay. The hotel accepts bookings for guests not staying at the hotel (at an additional $100 charge to what hotel guests are charged). Initially we were told external guests are unable to book on weekends however we then found out external guests can in fact book on weekends which makes for poor service. Despite this and after many calls and expressions of dissatisfaction we managed to get massages on the first night of our stay and they were great. The room itself was lovely however felt as though we were living in a coffin with blinds drawn and very narrow windows. When we opened the blinds we realised why they were drawn on arrival - the views were dismal. We were staring directly at a construction site and a very unappealing apartment building. The apartment building looked directly into our bathroom and we had full view of living rooms and bedrooms from the same standpoint. This isn't what you'd expect from a 5 star luxury hotel with the price tag we paid for. To add to this, the toiletries and amenities in the bathroom felt cheap. The hand wash, body lotion, body wash, shampoo and condition were all of cheap quality and from a brand we've not heard of. The body lotion in particular was terrible - it felt synthetic and wouldn't absorb into the skin. Again, not what you'd expect at a 5 star hotel. The breakfast and food at the hotel brasserie 1930 was very average also. On our final night I organised with the hotel to have the bath filled while we were at dinner so we can enjoy it when we arrived back to the hotel. The team beautifully scattered rose petals around the bathroom however the bath itself was sorching hot, which I discovered after jumping into the bath and burning myself. I then had to drain the bathtub and refill it which really killed the mood. When I raised the issue, via whatsapp text, with the staff member who organised the bath his response was 'I suppose it's hard to judge the temperature but guess better hot than cold' what sort of a response is this from a luxury hotel and the 'supposed' director? Lastly, when I called the day after our stay and asked to purchase one of the hotel's umbrellas, as a birthday gift for my partner, I was initially told they're not for sale only to then be told a few seconds later I can purchase the umbrella for $300. When I spoke to the manager about this to ask for a justification of the price he struggled to answer the question and babbled on about licensing costs and the logo. Such rubbish! After having stayed two nights and encountering numerous issues with the hotel to then be met with this unsavoury account (after having spent $5.5K at the hotel over 2 nights) is extremely disappointing. The only saving grace is the service offered by the bell boys who were so gracious and accommodating. I wouldn't bother spending my money here but then again, service across Sydney hotels (compared to that of overseas) is to a...

We had the pleasure to have a 3-nights stay at the Capella Sydney for a staycation with our 3-months-old baby girl. The hotel definitely exceeded beyond our expectations, a true luxury in Sydney.

First of all, the location is perfect, an enjoyable 5-minutes walk from Circular Quay station/ferry wharf. It's also close to all the touristy attractions like the Sydney Opera House, the Harbour Bridge and the Rocks. There are also heaps of trendy dining options around i.e. Clam Bar, Grana, Lana, Buillon L'Entrecote, Malay Chinese Takeaway, Kosta's Takeaway, etc.

A couple of days before checking in, the Culturist team emailed me for a list of requirements for our stay. We mentioned that we are travelling with a 3-months-old baby. After checking in at 10 am (3 hours early), they went above and beyond to satisfy all our needs. In the room, they provided us with a Bugaboo portacot and a cute little teepee in the corner. On the coffee table, a tray of complimentary sweets was provided, beautifully decorated with a few floating balloons. We could also request for a baby bath, and unlimited baby body wash and shampoo amenities.

The room itself was massive. We were staying at the Premier King room and it's probably one of the biggest hotel rooms with the tallest floor-to-ceiling height in Sydney CBD. It was beautifully designed, both warm and luxurious yet subtle. The highest quality of furniture was used throughout. The super king bed was super comfy, enough to fit 3 adults, and heaps of seating for your comfort. The bathroom was fitted with a huge freestanding bathtub, his & her double sink vanity, separate toilet and shower with rain shower capability. All amenities provided were of the highest quality too. Tech-wise: a 55-inch TV with a Chromecast ability and everthing can be remote controlled from the tablet inculding the lights, temperature and blinds. You can also request for additional amenities from the tablet. And yes, the non-alcoholic drinks from the minibar are complimentary including Strangelove soda and fruit juice.

The heritage art-deco style building itself was beautifully grand. The interior was a perfect balance between contemporary and well-preserved tradition. In the centre of the ground floor, the Aperture Lounge was the perfect place to chill and take some photos. The sun-soaked courtyard was fitted with a beautiful art installation that featured hanging colorful flowers blooming in and out. The Living Room was also another option for hotel guests to relax. There, you will be well taken care of by the Culturist team who can curate a list of activities around Sydney. Or, you can just enjoy a wide range of complimentary beverages and snacks. We also went to the Brasserie 1930 for breakfast, which offered a nice selection of breakfast items. It focused more on quality than quantity i.e. truffle eggs benedict, smoked salmon, thinly sliced prosciutto and croissant with Pepe Saya butter were some of our favourites.

The Auriga Spa was situated on level 6. The indoor 20-meters heated pool must be one of the most beautiful indoor pools in Sydney. There was also a warm spa bath, complete with a spa bed and neck massage jet shower, a perfect spot to wind down. The changing rooms were also equipped with a steam room, sauna and state-of-the-art experience shower.

Last but not least, the hospitality and service by the entire team was impeccable. From the doormen, wait staff, receptionists and the housekeepers, they were all very helpful, friendly and professional. Travelling with a baby can be difficult, but not at the Capella Sydney. We have stayed at a few 5-stars hotels in Sydney and we can safely say that the Capella Sydney is levels above any other 5-stars hotels. We will...

The Capella was a fantastic homebase from which to explore Sydney, it will definitely be our first choice hotel in Sydney from now on.

This is the first of the Capella hotels to open in Australia and it is centrally located between the Sydney CBD and Circular Quay in a truly impressive baroque building which grandiosely encompasses the entire block.

Although the hotel is relatively new (the concierge informed us it hasn't even celebrated its first birthday), the building itself dates back to 1912. The quietly luxurious interiors are warm and welcoming. Although completely renovated, the interior design manages to retains the heritage and character of the building; from the native Australian florals in the lobby, the artwork with a heavy focus on the work of the First Nations people, to the airy and sunlit Aperture: a central atrium acting like the heart of the hotel with the eye catching ceiling artwork of ethereal flowers shifting shape and colour.

Check in was breezy and quick. The concierge made every effort to get our room ready earlier than our check in time and called us to let us know as soon as the room was ready. Meanwhile we could leisure in the Living Room, a capcious guest only lounge, featuring refreshments and where you can craft an entire personalized itinerary with the the hotel culturalists.

We stayed in the Deluxe King Suite which was stunning. The high ceilings, timber floorboards and beautiful minimalist furnishings were the standout. Although the decor leans heavily on the 1930s and classic minimalism, the technology was on point. The entire room could be controlled by the bedside tablet and the two TVs could support casting and had Bose soundbars. The bed was also one of the most comfortable we have slept on. The bathroom is very spacious with luxurious house label amenities and a Dyson hairdrier. The only oddity was the closet which was only accessible through the bathroom. Location aside, it was spacious and well furnished with velvet hangers and luxurious house slippers.

The gym and the pool were also incredible. Housed within what was the gallery, the gym and pool enjoy ample natural light and high ceilings with ornate baroque pillars and archways. The spa is also housed in the same area and the menu looked so appealing, however we just had no time to book in a session.

Our room rates also included complimentary breakfast at the hotel restaurant, Brasserie 1930. The service was again exceptional, and the a la carte menu options were delicious. The buffet however seemed a little limited, although all the components were executed exceptionally. Unfortunately there was no other suite benefits, however this means that all guests can enjoy all the hotel offers. We really enjoyed the cocktail hour which included one of the most delicious coffee inspired cocktails I've ever had.

All in all, we really enjoyed our brief stay at the Capella and cannot really find a fault. It would definitely be the first hotel we would book when we visit Sydney again....