The Pullman Grand Quay Sydney is perfectly located near the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Photo / Supplied
Sarah Pollok checks into and checks out the Pullman Grand Quay Sydney.
Location
Perfectly positioned in beautiful East Circular Quay, the hotel sits moments from the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. It’s firmly in the heart of the action — yet just far enough from the thick of Circular Quay foot traffic to feel calm rather than chaotic.
Step outside and you’re within strolling distance of The Rocks district, harbour ferries, waterside walks and the Royal Botanic Gardens. It’s CBD-adjacent without the harshness of a high-rise financial district; instead, it feels polished and quietly prestigious.
Perfect For
Whether you’re a business traveller needing space to spread out, a traveller who appreciates top-grade dining or a family who needs a kitchen and laundry with a five-star spin, this is the spot.
First Impressions
Despite being on a main street, the hotel has a small parking bay outside the entrance, which is a godsend when you’re arriving or departing by taxi or Uber.
Arriving a few hours ahead of the check-in time, I anticipated a “store my bag and kill a few hours” scenario. Not only was the room ready ahead of schedule, but friendly staff at the 24-hour reception took my luggage and my phone number and offered to call me in 30 minutes once the room was ready and they had taken my bag up.
The rest of check-in was similarly seamless and efficient.
The Room
The Deluxe One-Bedroom Garden View Suite lives up to the title; a 79sq m apartment-style space that overlooks the Royal Botanic Gardens and boasts more than double the size of a standard hotel room.
Upon entering, I’m met with the sight of a generously sized lounge and dining area beside a fully equipped kitchen that hides a washing machine and dryer (and yes, washing powder is provided). The large sofa and two armchairs are perfect spots to catch up on a bit of work, read a book or watch one of the two flat-screen televisions. The other is in the bedroom, along with the plush king-size bed that delivers back-to-back nights of deep sleep.
Another delightful feature in the bedroom: a wireless charging port atop the digital clock, for those, like myself, who forget a phone charger.
Décor is comfortably classic, with a neutral mix of greys, whites and gold accents across the light fixtures, artwork and tables.
Bathroom
Any hotel room with a bath is an instant tick in my books, so I was delighted to find a spa bath and shower beside the large single sink and counter. Single-use toiletries are provided for those needing a comb, tooth brush, earbuds or other amenities, while the all-important hairdryer is in one of the bedroom’s closet drawers.
Facilities
For the fitness fans, there is a small gym with a handful of machines, a rower and treadmills, but no free weights or cable machines. Meanwhile, an intimate indoor heated lap pool is ideal for a quiet dip before or after a session in the sauna or a treatment at the spa.
Other amenities include daily housekeeping, 24-hour in-suite dining, dry cleaning, complimentary Wi-Fi and secure undercover valet parking (for an additional charge).
In-room beauty and wellness treatments by LUXIT are available with a booking.
Food and Drink
In a foodie mecca like Sydney, menus have to be A-grade to draw discerning travellers. Fortunately, Pullman Grand Quay boasts not one but two new spots that are worth a visit even if you aren’t a guest.
Lounge-style cocktail bar El Vista has, unsurprisingly, vast harbour views and seems almost constantly buzzing with people enjoying the polished space and innovative menu.
Meanwhile, at the elegant yet playful Flaminia restaurant you can eat your way around Italy, with a menu that categorises dishes by five port cities, from Cagliari’s braised lamb shoulder to Palermo’s torta setteveli.
This is also where you’ll enjoy a classic breakfast menu, with the breakfast package including a coffee, juice, main dish and side dish.
In the Neighbourhood
Step out of the hotel and you’ve basically arrived at the Royal Botanic Gardens or, down a set of stairs to Circular Quay. As for the Sydney Opera house, that’s just a two-minute walk down the street.
Walk 10 minutes and you can find yourself at the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, The Rocks, and endless shopping along George St.
The Best Bit
Waking up at 6.30am and being able to catch the 6.45am sunrise pouring across the Sydney Opera House from a bench in the Royal Botanic Gardens.
The Worst Bit
The lack of a mini bar menu leaves one uncertain about what items were free and which would result in a room charge, and for how much.
Sustainability
Buffet breakfasts, while fun to enjoy, often produce a huge amount of food waste, so it was great to see an a la carte option for breakfast.
In rooms, plastic amenities have been swapped for sustainable materials, and single-use amenities have been traded for large pump dispensers of shampoo, soap, conditioner and moisturiser.
Less obvious are the 350 solar panels the hotel has installed on its roof, which enable it to cover the majority of the base building systems.
Accessibility
The hotel has an accessible entrance and route from reception to rooms, as well as lift access to the indoor pool and gym, and accessible parking spaces for cars and vans near reception.
Price
A Deluxe One Bedroom Garden View Apartment starts from AU$619, while a Deluxe One Bedroom Harbour View Apartment starts from AU$699 per night.
Contact
For more information, visit pullmanquaygrandsydney.com.au, email H8779@accor.com or call +61 2 9256 4000.
New Zealand Herald stayed courtesy of Accor.