The Establishment

Uber cool urban enclave filled with swanky guest rooms, intimate bars, private club and designer dining

This place is serious inner sanctum. Only those in the know will find its discreet back lane entrance off Sydney’s bustling George Street in the heart of the city. The Hemmes family are a Sydney hotel institution and man about town, Justin Hemmes, is at the Establishment helm. He counts Nic, Baz and Russell as close friends, owns his own record label and has a penchant for Formula 1. Enough said.

The Establishment is intimate and funky for folks who like to brag about where they stay. The hotel is a redesign of a historical building, George Patterson House, and is a 9 storey combination of old façade and contemporary interiors. There are no harbour views as it’s pure inner city, but a 2 minute walk will have you dipping your toe in Sydney Harbour. Surrounded by Sydney’s premier urban tourist attractions - Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Centrepoint, the Rocks - there’s plenty to do by day, while the hotel's 4 bars, nightclub, sushi and fine dining restaurant will keep you entertained before you retire to your luxurious, cutting-edge bedroom for a sound night's sleep.

Highs

• Touch screen telephones that allow you to control lighting, room service, world clocks and concierge with your finger tip
• Deep baths with full view of the large screen TV
• An entertainment system designed for the serious muzak lover
• Sydney’s best restaurant and bar in the same complex
• Service, service, service - staff members personally escort you where you need to go when looking lost

Lows

• The office blocks around the hotel mean some windows look into workers at computer terminals (but strategically placed transparent blinds minimise this)
• The entrance is so discreet that it can be hard to find; you may find yourself negotiating a heaving Establishment bar on George Street rather than the soothing back lane foyer