About this hotel
General information
Capella Sydney occupies the former Department of Education building, an Edwardian Baroque landmark in golden sandstone designed by George McRae and completed in 1912 in the historic Sandstone Precinct. Pontiac Land restored it with Make Architects, keeping the facade, the lofty ceilings and the period detail and pairing them with calm contemporary interiors, considered furniture and a curated art collection. It is the first Australian address for Capella Hotels and Resorts.
The 192 rooms and suites are spread over eight levels. The ground floor holds Brasserie 1930, McRae Bar and Aperture, a light-filled atrium beneath Studio Drift’s kinetic sculpture ‘Meadow’, along with the event rooms, while the sixth floor is given over to Auriga Spa and its pool. A team of Capella Culturists looks after guests, and The Living Room, a private lounge reserved for residents, is the setting for the hotel’s cultural programme and evening rituals.
Location
In central Sydney, on Loftus Street in the historic Sandstone Precinct, a few minutes’ walk from Circular Quay, the Sydney Opera House and the Harbour Bridge. Airport transfers are arranged on request.
Spa
Auriga Spa fills a restored heritage space on the sixth floor, its concept drawn from the phases of the moon. Treatments in single and couples’ rooms blend time-honoured and contemporary practices; the signature is Fluidform Rebalance, a 120-minute ritual created with Fluidform founder Kirsten King. Facilities include a steam room, sauna, experiential showers and an ice fountain.
Sports & leisure
The Technogym fitness centre and the yoga platform are open to guests around the clock; every room has access to 20-minute Pilates sessions by Fluidform filmed on site, and one-to-one consultations with a Fluidform trainer can be booked. Bikes are free to use, and the Capella Culturists run the Capella Curates programme of cultural walks, workshops and food outings, with humpback whale watching in winter.
For children
The Little Stars programme offers workshops and seasonal activities for toddlers through to teenagers, led by the Culturists with parents taking part. Families have connecting rooms and suites, children’s menus, a Little Stars afternoon tea, an in-room teepee and Cappy the Whale, the hotel’s own soft toy.
Restaurants & bars
All three venues are on the ground floor; in-room dining runs around the clock, and former department offices now serve as private dining rooms.
- Brasserie 1930 — modern Australian brasserie cooking built on local produce, with an extensive wine list
- Aperture — a sunlit atrium under the ‘Meadow’ sculpture for breakfast, all-day dining, fresh baking and afternoon tea
- McRae Bar — an intimate cocktail bar named after the building’s architect and styled as a Victorian-era drinking den
Swimming
Auriga Spa on the sixth floor has a 20-metre heated indoor pool and a vitality pool.
Rooms
192 rooms and suites: 157 guest rooms, 22 suites, four Prestige Suites and nine accessible rooms. Interiors pair restored heritage features with contemporary design and carefully chosen artworks.
Frette linen, Bamford toiletries, bathrobes and slippers, a bathroom with double vanity and rain shower, a personal bar and wine fridge with complimentary soft drinks, a tablet controlling climate, curtains and lights, a TV with streaming, LG soundbar and Bose speaker, Nespresso machine, Dyson hairdryer, safe and Wi-Fi.
Deluxe Room
Looks onto the inner atrium, with a super king bed or two king single beds; for two adults.
Premier Room
An outward-facing room with heritage detailing and a super king or twin beds; the bathroom has a double vanity, rain shower and deep soaking tub. Sleeps two adults and a child.
Tower Room
Full-length windows frame the Clock Tower of the neighbouring Department of Lands, a Victorian Renaissance Revival building; super king bed, for two adults.
Skyline Room
City views through full-length windows, a super king or twin beds and a bathroom with a deep soaking tub; sleeps two adults and a child.
Deluxe Suite
A high-ceilinged suite with a separate super king bedroom, open-plan living and a large bathroom with double vanity, rain shower and sculptural tub; up to three adults.
Skyline Suite
An apartment-style suite with city views, a super king or twin bedroom, living area, walk-in wardrobe and a generous bathroom with deep soaking tub; up to three adults.
Capella Suite
The hotel’s largest suite, with a living room featuring a marble bar and gas fireplace, a dining room, butler’s pantry and powder room; the tub in the east-facing bedroom looks towards historic Sydney and the Royal Botanic Garden. For two adults.
Farrer Suite
A top-floor suite with skyline views: super king bedroom, living and dining area, walk-in wardrobe and a bathroom with dual vanities, double rain shower and sculptural tub; up to three adults.
Liberty Suite
A two-level loft: open-plan living, dining and bathroom below, and above a super king bedroom with floor-to-ceiling windows onto the city and the Harbour Bridge. For two adults.
Macquarie Suite
A suite rich in original architectural detail, with super king bedroom, living room, dining room for six, walk-in wardrobe, powder room and a bathroom with dual vanity and sculptural tub; up to three adults.
Photos are for illustrative purposes only. Actual room layout, furnishings, décor, views and amenities may differ from those shown and may vary between rooms of the same category. Hotel and room descriptions are based on information provided by the property and are believed to be accurate at the time of publication, but are not guaranteed. The hotel may renovate or change its rooms, facilities, restaurants and services at any time without notice. The final details of your stay are confirmed at the time of booking. See our Terms of Use.