IN A CITY FAMOUS FOR the sparkling and the spectacular, the Langham Sydney provides a super-refined retreat from the hustle and bustle. While very close to can’t-miss sites like the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge, stepping into the lobby here feels a little like coming home – if you live in a palace, that is…in one of Australia’s coolest neighbourhoods.

Just four floors in a Georgian-style building tucked away on a quieter street on Millers Point, the Langham is small and personal. Staff remember your name and preferences, going the extra mile to make your stay perfect. Rooms are massive, some of the biggest in the city. Everything you need for a quiet night in – cushy couches, floor-to-ceiling windows with Juliet or full balconies (some overlooking the Western Harbour), and serious deep-soaker bathtubs.

Add to that a full-service spa with bespoke treatments. And a 20-metre heated indoor swimming pool surrounded by resort-style loungers and stone columns, under a ceiling that perpetually twinkles with the stars of the night sky. The Langham also has multiple dining options, including a very popular, traditional afternoon tea. The Observatory Bar is a favourite place to gather, with signature cocktails (including a series of special gins, and concoctions carefully infused with aromatics by the bar staff, that match with your zodiac sign) and sharing plates (think: Queensland tiger prawns, on toast). At Kitchens on Kent, several individual culinary stations welcome you to interact with the chefs, for offerings ranging from sushi to steaks.

But with so much nearby, you’ll probably also use the hotel as a launch pad. Several of the city’s most dynamic districts are just steps away, including the Rocks, Sydney’s oldest. Once rough-and-tumble, now its tiny, tucked-away back lanes house upscale boutiques and bars. Go for a glass or two, then head back to relax in that big tub that’s waiting for you at the Langham.

Written by Tim Johnson for Cruise & Travel Lifestyles