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Capella Sydney: An Iconic Heritage Building Reimagined

Published: 22 March, 2023
Last modified: 21 November, 2024
Capella Sydney
Capella Sydney

History and luxury meet at Capella Sydney’s elegant spaces. The first Capella Hotel in Australia, Capella Sydney opened its doors to guests on March 15, 2023 and has since been offering world-class luxury on Bridge Street. Discover more about this gorgeous new getaway in Sydney

Capella’s Hidden Luxe Inside an Icon

Capella Hotels are known for having a beautiful vision and realisation of tradition combined with luxurious accommodation and hospitality. Its inspired interiors foster discovery and individuality while adding a fresh twist to make each guest’s stay a memorable experience. Beloved local buildings are reimagined into beautiful havens of relaxation that take guests on an immersive and inspiring escape.

The first Capella Hotel in Australia, Capella Sydney breathes new life into the heritage-listed former Department of Education building which was constructed in the early 20th century in the Sandstone Precinct of New South Wales. After the multi-million dollar restoration that took seven years, Capella Sydney has retained the original Edwardian Baroque architectural style of the building with stylish refreshed spaces within.

Capella Sydney facade

The Rooms and Suites

From the outside, the building’s iconic golden sandstone façade welcomes guests with its timeless appeal. Step inside though, and you’ll be immersed in a balance of classic architectural features paired with contemporary design aesthetics. The spaces are adorned with carefully curated and specially commissioned artworks that complement and add character to the warm neutral interiors.

Capella Sydney
Capella Sydney
Capella Sydney

Comprising 192 spacious suites spanning 8 levels, this luxury hotel has a stylish city retreat for all travellers. The Deluxe, Premiere, and Skyline rooms that start at 46 square metres offer plenty of space to relax and are filled with natural light streaming through expansive windows. Each room features thoughtfully selected artwork, chic furnishings, a plush bed custom-fitted with Italian Frette linens, and delightful personal care products from Haeckels.

Despite being inside an iconic building, Capella Sydney has completely modern fittings; intuitive technology control from a tablet that allows guests to control lighting, the curtains, and temperature. In-room dining is also accessible via tablet control, while the personal bar comes with a tasteful curation of locally-sourced goodies to enjoy in-room.

What to Expect

Guests at Capella Sydney have exclusive access to the Living Room–a Capella signature space which is a tranquil sanctuary hosted by attentive Capella Culturists. The hotel also offers a top-notch wellness space on Level 6. It has a 20-metre heated indoor swimming pool, vitality pools, and the Auriga Spa where even more luxurious treatment rooms for individuals or couples can be enjoyed. On-site, there is also a well-appointed modern fitness centre, steam and sauna rooms, experiential showers, and a yoga platform set in beautiful and tranquil surrounds. The clean lines and minimal design aesthetic pave the way for an enveloping sense of calm and we love how serene the overall atmosphere is.

Capella Sydney
Capella Sydney
Capella Sydney

When it comes to dining and refreshments, this luxe Sydney getaway showcases 3 food and beverage outlets that celebrate its Australian heritage. Brasserie 1930 highlights produce from small-batch growers and creates delectable brasserie classics paired with an extensive wine list. McRae Bar—named after the building’s original architect, lets guests experience a contemporary take on a Victorian-style drinking den with its elegant cocktail experiences.

Capella Sydney - Aperture
Aperture featuring “Meadow ,” a kinetic sculpture inspired by Australian wildflowers

Lastly, Aperture boasts a verdant space shaded by two indoor weeping figs and a seven-metre-high living wall featuring almost 70 local species of flora. Guests can unwind and enjoy Capella Sydney’s signature food and drinks under “Meadow,” a bespoke kinetic sculpture by Amsterdam-based Studio Drift that adds an otherworldly touch to the space. The flower-shaped lanterns mimic the relaxing movements of Australian wildflowers as they gently open and close underneath the glass ceiling. All on the ground level, the dining venues are just steps away from the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge.

From its art-filled rooms to its serene wellness space, Capella Sydney has taken luxury and heritage to a new level. Despite being close to world-renowned destinations in the heart of Sydney, it gives its guests a place to let go, take it easy and indulge in the finer things that this beautiful getaway has to offer.

If you enjoyed this featured property, you’ll also find more inspired spaces in our curation of the best art hotels in Australia.

Image credit: Capella Sydney

All accommodation, experiences, and products featured on View Retreats are independently selected by our team. If you book something through our links, we may earn a commission. The information provided in our articles is for general informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional before starting any new health or wellness practice.

About the author
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Mat

Mat Lewis, co-founder of View Retreats, is a seasoned traveller and qualified life coach with extensive knowledge in wellness and nature-based tourism. He is passionate about the transformative effects of travel as a means to achieve perspective, balance, and connection. His coaching integrates these principles, guiding individuals to reconnect with themselves through mindful and restorative travel experiences.
Mat and Stoewie - co-founders of View Retreats
Welcome

We’re Mat and Stoewie. We’re both seasoned travellers and qualified life coaches. We’re passionate about finding and creating travel experiences that help to connect people to special places and experiences that will help them to rest, relax, reconnect & rediscover. 

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