Capella Sydney
The Edwardian Baroque Department of Education building in the Sandstone Precinct, restored over seven years
The Privata Perspective
Sydney's best hotel building, and the argument is not close. Make Architects spent roughly seven years bringing the heritage-listed former Department of Education building — George McRae's Edwardian Baroque pile, completed in stages to 1927 — back to life, and BAR Studio did the interiors inside it.
Auriga occupies the old art gallery on the sixth floor, where a skylit lap pool now sits under the original roof, and Aperture fills the former courtyard at the building's heart. The hotel debuted at No. 12 in the World's 50 Best Hotels in 2025 and took Best Hotel in Oceania the same year. At 192 keys it is the largest urban Capella and reads more like a grand city hotel than the brand's smaller houses — worth knowing if the 47-room Hanoi model is what drew you to Capella in the first place.
Accommodations
Premier Room
averages 50 sqm
Outward-facing, with restored heritage detail and a deep-soaking bath
Deluxe Suite
averages 84 sqm
A one-bedroom suite inside the heritage-listed walls, with high ceilings and open-plan living
Dining
Brasserie 1930
Modern Australian
The signature restaurant, named for the year the building was finished, built around a custom wood-fired grill
Aperture
All-day
The glazed former courtyard at the heart of the building, and the room for afternoon tea
McRae Bar
Cocktail bar
Named for the building's original architect; walk-ins only
Spa & Wellness
Auriga Spa on the sixth floor in the former art gallery, with a skylit lap pool.
When to Go
October to April
Sydney's warm half; the harbour and the beaches are the reason to be here
June to August
Cool and the wettest stretch of the year, but the building is an indoor pleasure
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Book With Preferred Access
Experience Capella Sydney with Via Privata
Complimentary upgrades, resort credits, early check-in, and dedicated concierge support — available exclusively through our preferred partner programme.
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