Family Friendly Hotels in Sydney

Most popular areas in Sydney for family-friendly hotels

A city of bucket-list sights, fascinating art galleries, and surf-washed urban beaches, Sydney is a veritable treasure trove of fun and fascination for traveling families. And there are accommodation options to match, too, like the clean chain hotels and welcoming suites of Darlinghurst and Surry Hills. Families will also love bedding down in the Rocks area, which means enjoying great access to Sydney's best shopping strips and the photogenic harbor. Add to that the wealth of family-friendly places in the CBD, and it's easy to see why families love this town.

Top family-friendly hotels in Sydney

You don't have to stray far from the fun-loving Rocks district to find one of Sydney's most acclaimed family hotels: The Holiday Inn Old Sydney. This 176-room spot has plenty to keep the kids entertained, from a rooftop pool to premium TV channels and on-site computers. The Grace is another great choice, with its spacious and comfortable suites coming with add-on childcare services, and a great location near the Pitt Street Mall. The InterContinental’s also primed for family groups thanks to its indoor pool, fast WiFi, prime Downtown location, and babysitting services.

Where to find the best restaurants in Sydney

Dining in The Rocks is always a great option for families. Here, you’ll find Bavarian-style schnitzel houses and ad hoc street festivals packed with food trucks. A trip to the coast is also a great choice, opening up the areas of Bondi and Coogee: a patchwork of salt-washed surf bars and pizza joints where Chicago-style pies mix with New South Wales seafood on the menus. Another interesting eating option is the area of Petersham. Hailed as Sydney's “Little Portugal”, this is a land of stacked francesinha sandwiches, tomatoey tapas, and creamy ice cream.

The most popular things to do in Sydney

From neon-lit Ferris wheels to pretty parks packed with interesting flora and fauna, Sydney's center is crammed with great family-friendly attractions. Start on the north side of the harbor, where the rides and concession stands of Luna Park draw in kids and parents. Close by, swinging chimpanzees, lanky giraffes, and performing sea lions await in the Taronga Zoo, where there are cheaper tickets for children under 15 and families. On the south side of the waters is where you'll discover the Royal Botanic Garden, the famous evening fireworks along Darling Harbour, the shopping arcades of the Pitt Street Mall, and – further afield – the enticing beaches of Bondi and Tamarama. Families also love to stroll in the company of flying foxes and pretty homes in Centennial Park, bowl and dine in the Entertainment Quarter, and scale the panoramic viewing platforms of the Sydney Tower.

Best ways to get around Sydney

The best way to get around Sydney is to use a combination of light rail, local buses, and walking. The train network is cheap and does a great job of connecting all the family-friendly attractions on both sides of the harbor, while it's the buses that will get visitors out to the beaches of Bondi, Coogee, and Tamarama. For dining and firework-viewing in the evening, you can also opt to take taxis, and ferries across the harbor are a great and fun way to take in the Downtown sights while moving around.