Top City Hotels in Australia & New Zealand: Readers’ Picks 2025

Choosing the right hotel when visiting a major city can be a daunting task, as the range of options is often vast and varied. To help identify the very best urban stays in Australia and New Zealand, iBestTravel asked readers to rank their favorites based on facilities, location, service, food, and value.

Three Sydney hotels found their way to the top five. At the Sir Stamford at Circular Quay, guests raved about the location. It is situated within walking distance of the Sydney Opera House and is easily accessible by public transit—great for those who want to explore the full breadth of the city. The Langham, Sydney recently underwent a multimillion-dollar renovation and it paid off—guests were impressed by the luxurious accommodations. Moreover, readers loved the views from the Park Hyatt Sydney.

In Melbourne, the Grand Hyatt Melbourne excites readers, as well as The Langham, Melbourne, which offers guests the opportunity to stay outside the busy business district and experience the rich arts and culture scene that Melbourne has to offer. Not to be outdone, Grand Hyatt provides visitors with group classes in their health and fitness center, as well as a sumptuous indoor swimming pool, steam room, and tennis court. Read on for the full list.

No. 5: Sir Stamford at Circular Quay, Sydney

Sir Stamford at Circular Quay
Courtesy of Sir Stamford at Circular Quay

Score: 88.17

No. 4: The Langham, Sydney

The Langham Sydney
Courtesy of The Langham

Score: 88.85

No. 3: Grand Hyatt Melbourne

Grand Hyatt Melbourne
Courtesy of Grand Hyatt Hotels

Score: 89.20

No. 2: Park Hyatt Sydney

Park Hyatt Sydney
Courtesy of Park Hyatt

Score: 90.55

No. 1: The Langham, Melbourne

Score: 90.91

This 388-room property sits near the Yarra River and is a great alternative to other hotels found in the Central Business District. The location is perfect for those looking to explore: it is surrounded by the Arts and Leisure district and is also within walking distance of the Royal Botanic Gardens. Past visitors rave about The Langham’s fantastic cuisine and the welcoming staff. One guest stated that it was “the finest hotel we’ve ever stayed in.” The on-site Chuan Spa offers a variety of therapies inspired by traditional Chinese medicine, while the indoor saltwater pool is another plus.

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