Beautiful New South Wales encompasses the magical Blue Mountains, the bucolic wine country of the Hunter Valley and the sweeping sands of the Tasman Sea, with the Pacific beyond. Amongst Australia’s most visited regions, New South Wales is home to cosmopolitan Sydney as well as laid-back Byron Bay, and a whole array of charming country towns and relaxed seaside spots. Great guesthouses, B&Bs and hotels abound, with the best places to stay in New South Wales ranging from artsy boutique boltholes to swish high-rises, promising something for everyone.

Some of our New South Wales Collections:

• Wine hotels in the Hunter Valley
• Best places to stay in the Blue Mountains
• Best Outdoorsy Escapes in New South Wales
• Top Resorts in New South Wales

Sydney is the natural starting point for most visitors to New South Wales. A historic metropolis centred around its iconic harbour, the city brims with world-class museums, galleries and cultural events. Take guided architecture and food tours, pick up designer pieces from chic boutiques, and tuck into flavoursome fare at the city’s many acclaimed restaurants. Bondi Beach is the stuff of legend, and not to be missed.

Keen surfers and creatives can venture along the coast to Byron Bay, where you’ll find still more cracking cuisine, outdoorsy adventures and a real community feel. Mollymook, far to the south, is another seaside favourite. Head inland to the wine country towns of Orange, Mudgee and Pokolbin, surrounded by farms and vineyards. Bowral, the gateway to the Southern Highlands, is a top choice for vintage finds, gorgeous landscaped gardens, and the International Cricket Hall of Fame. Take your time in discovering this dazzling region’s many wonders — and remember to book your pick of the best places to stay in New South Wales well in advance.

The Best Places to Stay in New South Wales

For City Style

• The Fullerton Hotel Sydney, once the city's General Post Office, has long been a Sydney landmark. Reimagined as a sophisticated urban hotel, this icon now offers luxurious, contemporary suites with marble bathrooms and dazzling city views. The Asian and Australian fare is fantastic, and the fusion of old and new architecture will intrigue design fans.
• Pier One, built on a private pontoon overlooking Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House, offers slick nautical decor with a white and dark blue colour scheme throughout the 189 rooms and suites. Chic, romantic and grown-up, with an excellent Australian restaurant. For well-heeled travellers.
• The Woolstore 1888, close to Darling Harbour in Pyrmont, has a wonderful retro design feel. The buzzy Mediterranean restaurant and bar is brilliant for gathering with friends at the beginning of the evening, and there are multiple meeting spaces for groups or work trips. Design-led, easygoing and reasonably priced.

For Heritage Charm

• Perry Street Hotel is a charming boutique bolthole housed in a red-brick residence from 1862 in Mudgee. Cosy, contemporary spaces feature a soothing colour palette, soft lighting and beds topped with crisp white linens. Many guest rooms open onto airy balconies, and spa suites boast big bathtubs. Tranquil and romantic.
• Links House, a charming 1920s-built guesthouse in Bowral, has been transformed into a characterful boutique hotel with whitewashed walls, retro furnishings and a wonderfully cosy feel. Sink into armchairs clustered around the fire, savour seasonal produce at Ethos, and stroll along the manicured gardens. Easygoing and very charming.

For a Beach Break

• Raes on Wategos, a sensational Spanish Mission-style villa, sits just a few paces from Wategos Beach in Byron Bay. A glamorous party pad from the 1960s, this hotel has been reimagined as an indulgent seven-suite haven, with pale textiles, handmade tiles and dazzling views. The sumptuous spa and gourmet restaurant are sure to impress.
• Halcyon House is a brilliant boutique bolthole overlooking Cabarita beach, between Byron Bay and Gold Coast. Chic interiors are bedecked in blue and white textiles, with modern artwork, bold wallpapers & sea views, and guests are invited to unwind by the swimming pool after delicious lunches and dinners at hip eatery Pepper Daisy — also famed for its cracking cocktails!
• Capella Lodge boasts nine stunning contemporary suites, situated in the shadow of Mounts Gower and Lidgbird on Lord Howe Island. Elegant interiors offer a fresh take on Australian beach house luxury, plus there's a superb spa and mouth-watering cuisine sourced from the kitchen garden and the ocean. An exceptional lodge for romantics and keen explorers.
• Bannisters by the Sea is a cool coastal hotel set just along from the end of Mollymook Beach. Chic guest rooms and suites are clad predominantly in white, with indigo accents and glorious sea views from floor-to-ceiling windows. Shared spaces include a huge swimming pool, buzzy bar and the Rick Stein's acclaimed seafood restaurant. A superb seaside hotel.

For Foodies

• The Old Clare in Sydney, originally a brewery, now hides a hip hotel behind its red-brick façade. Food-focused travellers can savour five-course tasting menus at Longshore, headed by acclaimed hospitality duo Jarrod Walsh and Dot Lee. Think retro-inspired rooms with record players and designer furnishings, a cool rooftop pool and onsite art gallery.
• Tower Lodge, near Pokolbin, takes luxury to new heights with sensational suites set within the grounds of a picturesque vineyard. The Sebastian restaurant showcases Basque cuisine with a modern Australian twist, and the sumptuous suites with terracotta floors, enormous beds, emerald green-tiled bathrooms and characterful seating areas promise absolute bliss. Fabulous.

For Romance

• Watson’s Bay Boutique Hotel, a romantic white-and-blue gem set right on the water's edge in Sydney, has the timeless feel of a yacht club. Individually appointed rooms are full of charm, and the popular beach bar is known for its craft cocktails and superb seafood. An indulgent boutique choice for a characterful Watson's Bay escape.
• Blackbird Byron, with its three hip pavillions and a refreshing pool, is hidden on Mount Koonyum. Built from reclaimed materials, these modernist spaces are individually designed with mesmerising views from frames of wood, steel and glass. Gourmet breakfasts and three-course dinners await. Rejuvenating massages complete the restful honeymoon experience.
• Beach Suites Byron Bay also have multi-bedroom apartments for families or friends, but their light-filled studios are a romantic beachgoer's dream. Think soft blue, green and cream textiles in modern, light-filled spaces, with sitting rooms spilling out onto shady decks with pretty plunge pools. With a well-equipped kitchen and panoramic views from the balcony, there's little reason to leave.

For a Rural Escape

• Spicers Vineyards Estate offers 12 luxurious rooms, many with wood-burning fireplaces, swish bathrooms and all the mod-cons. A refreshing swimming pool, serene spa and fabulous restaurant complete the picture. Adults-only and ideal for romantics, the hotel has its own vineyard and extensive wine cellar.
• Paperbark Camp boasts 12 glamorous tented rooms, each with double beds, private terraces and big bathtubs. Surrounded by eucalyptus and paperbark trees, this tranquil haven in the forest also promises a superb restaurant, plus bicycels and canoes for exploring the paths and waterways. A dream glamping escape.
• Lilianfels, nestled in the spectacular Blue Mountains National Park, has airy, elegant guest rooms with stunning Jamison Valley views. Unwind at the serene spa, sink into indoor and outdoor pools, or play a game of tennis after days of hiking and rock climbing. A luxurious country escape with a classic feel and a fabulous restaurant.
• Bells at Killcare, tucked within eight acres of English gardens on the edge of the Bouddi National Park, offers a collection of blue-and-white suites and cottages. Boasting an easygoing Hamptons-inspired feel, these spaces are a welcome retreat for couples, groups or families, who can also enjoy the spa, swimming pool and terrific eatery. Lovely.

For Great Value

• The Surf House in Byron Bay is a buzzy, surf-focused hostel with shared dorms and double rooms with fresh, airy interiors featuring retro surf memorabilia. Guests share a kitchen and the rooftop bar fills up for happy hour and game nights. Fun, sociable and affordable.
• ADGE Hotel and Residences offers stylish, self-catering apartments within an easy stroll of Sydney's highlights in Darlinghurst. Very reasonably priced spaces have crisp white linens on comfortable beds, retro-inspired patterned carpets and striking city views. Ideal for families or friends with triple rooms and two-bedroom lofts.

FOR A PRIVATE HOUSE, COTTAGE OR APARTMENT

• If you'd prefer a self-catering option, we suggest that you visit our online partner Booking.com.

Travel Information

• Fly to Sydney Airport, catch a taxi or train to destinations across the region. The smaller hubs of Coffs Harbour Airport, Broken Hill Airport and Port Macquarie Airport, amongst others, are also great starting points for those flying from within Australia. Most hotels will be happy to arrange an airport pick-up in advance.
• New South Wales is ideal for a road trip! If you would like to hire a car, we recommend visiting our online partner Rentalcars.
• A wonderful year-round destination, New South Wales enjoys mild and sunny weather all year round. The temperatures average at around 26ºC during the summer months, and around 12ºC in the winter — with the exception of the mountains, which are much colder! You'll find the best deals and fewer crowds during the shoulder seasons of March - May and September - November, outside the school holidays.

STILL NOT SURE?

• Browse through our list of all the best places to stay in Sydney.
• Widen the net and see our pick of the best places to stay in New South Wales.
• Or contact one of our friendly Gurus for advice.