Harbour Rocks Hotel

Tucked away in Sydney's oldest neighborhood, a ramble from the harbor, the aptly named Harbour Rocks Hotel occupies historic buildings once home to the city's first hospital. Part of Accor's MGallery Collection of distinctive hotels, its relaxed lobby opens onto sultry corridors where 59 rooms and suites offer contemporary comfort. Charcoal walls, leather lounge chairs, oversize wooden headboards, and bedding inspired by kilim rugs create a sophisticated look. The foliage-filled Garden Bar terrace is a magnet for guests keen to chill, overlooking historic laneway Nurses Walk. For breakfast or dinner, head to basement restaurant Scarlett, where white Scandinavian furniture, brown leather banquettes, and mirrors create a romantic spot amid raw sandstone walls. Ground-floor Eric's Bar serves niche wines and tapas till late. The Rocks can be touristy, but you're also a stone's throw from the Museum of Contemporary Art and Sydney Opera House.