Sydney Hotel Guide: Park Hyatt Sydney

Uniquely situated beneath the Harbour Bridge on Sydney Cove, this property gets the award for the City's Most Distinguished Boutique Hotel. The bridge views from here are not the very best, but only passengers on the ferries passing by enjoy better panoramas of the Sydney Opera House. At night, guests gazing out at the illuminated opera house from their furnished balconies can easily justify the hotel's price.

The look here is sophisticated and chic, appealing especially to those with refined contemporary tastes. Although not as overtly glamorous as the Shangri-la, or for that matter, its siblings in Melbourne or Canberra, this highly-polished operation consistently gets rave reviews from a long list of discerning corporate and leisure travelers who will stay no place else.

The new lobby is tres chic, overflowing with superlative modern furnishings, including exquisite Eames chairs and Naguchi-inspired tables. Guests are treated to a rare sit-down check-in at a pair of well-polished credenzas positioned to take in the breathtaking vistas of the harbor. Service, too, is noteworthy. Subtle well-chosen art, high-quality exotic wood and marble finishes reflect the outstanding quality of this establishment.

All meals are offered in the multilevel Harbour Kitchen, where window-walls open for optimal views of the Opera House and harbor activity. Set above the promenade, even guests dining on the lovely planted terrace are rarely bothered by passers by. The spectacular vistas inspire long, long lunches and dinners. A small cafe offers light fare throughout the day, and the intimate Club Bar has its own light menu and more than 40 whiskeys.

To burn off the calories, guests ring up the personal trainer or troop no more than three stories to the rooftop pool and whirlpool, sundeck, small gym, steam room, sauna, masseuse and health spa with adjoining juice bar. Complete business services and a library supplement six well-appointed meeting rooms for 100 people, and the hotel offers free limousine service around town. Pets are not permitted.

In the sumptuous guest rooms, light colors and textures and photographs by local shutterbugs complement stylish contemporary furnishings, well-upholstered armchairs and remote-controlled drapes. Rooms boast king beds, robes, dressing rooms with walk-in closets, and spacious marble baths with large tubs, stall showers and hair dryers. Alarm clocks, desks and plasma-screen TVs complement the electronic amenities consisting of two phones, data ports, Internet access, VCRs, CD players and safes.

All rooms have balconies with views of the harbor, Opera House or Harbour Bridge and most have private balconies, but be sure to request a unit on the second floor. A popular promenade separating the hotel from the harbor puts ground-level units on display for passers-by. Smoke-free rooms are ample, and two units cater to guests with disabilities. Butler service and room service function around the clock.

The staff provides unbeatable personal attention to a sophisticated guest list. This hotel always comes up in conversations regarding Sydney's finest lodgings.