Capella Sydney now open

The first Australian property from Capella Hotels & Resorts is now open in the heart of Sydney.

After a much-anticipated seven-year restoration and renovation project, Capella Hotels & Resorts has opened its first Australian hotel within the former Department of Education building in Sydney, just moments from Circular Quay.

The hotel features 192 rooms and suites spread across nine floors, a spa on the sixth floor, and three luxurious dining and drinking venues, with cuisine in collaboration with The Bentley Group. On the ground floor, The Living Room is a private space for in-house guests, hosting a range of programs centred around culture and experiences such as historic guided walking tours of the neighbourhood.

Design notes

The hotel’s design is contemporary with original details from the building retained to offer a sense of history and character. Accommodations feature luxurious Italian Frette linens, standalone tubs, and textiles in light, neutral shades.

Art is a strong feature of the design, with a collection of acquired and commissioned works from Australian and international artists like Judy Watson, Otis Hope Carey, Elise Cakebread, and Georgia Bisley featuring throughout the ground floor.

A large robotic lighting installation, Meadow, by the Dutch art duo DRIFT is suspended in the hotel’s central lounge area, which is set in the original courtyard of the old building.

Cristiano Rinaldi, President of Capella Hotel Group, commented: “The opening of Capella Sydney is a milestone moment in the company’s global expansion. This launch represents a significant opportunity for Capella to showcase its refined and curated offerings to Sydney and its visitors, and we look forward to amplifying the stories, culture, and experiences of the city through a uniquely Capella lens.”

Capella Sydney joins Capella’s portfolio of properties located in Singapore, Ubud, Bangkok, Hanoi, Shanghai, and Hainan. Other planned destinations include Japan, the Maldives, and South Korea. The hotel is a Virtuoso member property.