"Sited directly across the water from the Opera House and beside the Harbour Bridge, this hotel offers unparalleled harbor panoramas from every room, each with a private balcony and understated, dark-wood decor that lets the view take center stage. The 155 rooms exemplify quiet luxury, with 24-hour personal butler service and an opulent 3,700-square-foot suite—complete with outdoor terrace—serving as the hotel’s showpiece and a famously exclusive vantage point for New Year’s Eve fireworks (noted experiences have commanded sums around $25,000)." - Krisanne Fordham