Emmie and I have flown so much from Sydney airport and we had never thought to book a night at a Sydney airport hotel. Instead we would be up at 3am for early flights, stressing over whether the taxi or Uber would show, and just generally being nervous about the whole process.
On our last trip, when we had a 7.30am departure we decided to stay at the Rydges Sydney Airport Hotel – it’s the only hotel at the international terminal – and so lucky we did as there was a problem with the trains that morning and we may not have even made the flight!
The beauty of staying overnight at Rydges Airport Hotel before you fly is that you’re able to relax, and the dining options are fabulous.
If I was at home, instead of watching the planes take off and land, having a wine at the Cloud 9 Rooftop Bar and dinner at the new Ascot Restaurant, I would have been last minute packing and worrying about getting the flight. But because we checked into Rydges in the afternoon I was all ready for our holiday and could relax and enjoy.
Ready for Japan!
Let me tell you all about our stay and why we absolutely recommend staying at the Rydges Sydney Airport Hotel before a flight out of either Sydney domestic or international airports – or popping in between flights or while you wait to go through customs
Rydges Airport Hotel is literally 181 footsteps from the Sydney International Terminal.
Literally! It’s just across from the entry doors to the international terminal, and if you have a domestic connection first like we did you can either take the Rydges free shuttle from right outside, the free terminal bus (about 20 metres away) or if you’re flying Qantas you take the free Qantas transfer service. It’s so easy and is an absolute game changer for flying.
In the morning we woke up, went down to breakfast (served from 4am) and then walked across to the Qantas transfer service, checked in and were buses across the tarmac to the domestic airport. So easy and stress-free.
Rooms overlook the airport and runways
The rooms at the hotel are spacious and well equipped but the most amazing things for us was the view over the airport. We were glued to the huge room-wide window watching planes take off and land, taxi and park.
The incredible family suite at Rydges Sydney Airport Hotel
We stayed in a deluxe family suite with views over the city as well as the runway and if you love planes like us it’s worth a stay even if you’re not traveling. It would be a fabulous birthday present for a child – or adult – who loves watching planes. We were transfixed.
It was a huge thrill and we could see all the way to the city and the planes on their final approach. Honestly you can’t under-estimate how amazing this is – especially if you have kids – and the hotel has a chair and table set up in the room facing the windows so you can sit and enjoy.
Our bed was big and comfortable and the bathroom was spacious. Importantly it was very quiet and easy to sleep. We organised a reminder wake up call and drifted off to sleep.
Breakfast at RISE
Breakfast is open from 4.00am each morning – perfect for us as we needed to leave by 5.30am for our flight. The breakfast was amazing – I had bircher museli and sago topped with coconut yoghurt and fruit while Emmie busied herself making ham and cheese toasties on the machine. There’s a huge selection of hot and cold breakfast plus barista coffee.
Cloud 9 Rooftop Bar and downstairs at Smithy’s Bar
The Cloud 9 rooftop bar at Rydges also has amazing views (and personally if I had time to kill before going through customs I would pop over here for a bevvy!). Champagne is served in gorgeous saucers and there’s an excellent wine, beer and spirits menu plus Australian craft beer, boutique spirits like Archi Rose Gin and cocktails made with native Australian ingredients. Children are welcome here too – with parental supervision.
Downstairs, Smithy’s Bar is open from 4.30am to 11pm and serves snacks and drinks – perfect if you’re in between flights or fancy a bit more of a comfortable bar atmosphere. Happy hour is between 3 – 5pm weekdays.
Bubbles at Cloud 9
Dinner at the Ascot
The newly opened Ascot Restaurant has a new look and a new menu from Executive Chef, Michael Box. It’s open from 5.30pm – 10.00pm.
I never would have thought such an amazing restaurant would be found in an airport hotel, but the Ascot is absolutely divine. I definitely recommend eating here before a flight or if you get in late – you don’t need to be staying at the hotel to dine here. It’s the perfect spot for a business dinner. The food is divine and locally produced and sourced. Emmie and I both had steak and it was delicious – I grabbed a wine too and we just relaxed as we were looked after by the staff. We will definitely eat here when we are flying in the afternoon or late at night – it makes sense to checkin then come over for a meal rather than eat the food on the plane!
Delicious dinner at Ascot
Staying at an airport hotel like Rydges Airport Hotel in Sydney is definitely a game-changer for travel, and we will absolutely be doing it again.
We stayed at Rydges as guests of the hotel.