Rare are the times that we leave behind the comfort of a warm hotel bed extra early to take a stroll around town before the crowds arrive. But the location of The Porter House Hotel Sydney around the corner from Hyde Park turned us into early risers – and that’s not the only thing we liked about this stylish-sleek address by Accor’s MGallery brand.
There’s been a flurry of new hotel developments springing up all over Sydney in recent years. Though while some have gone bombastic, reaching heights the city had never seen before, others, like The Porter House Hotel Sydney, have focused on breathing new life into heritage buildings to appeal to a crowd that will appreciate contemporary design and innovative features, but will gladly do without the spectacle. The hotel’s blend of two buildings, courtesy of architect Angelo Candalepas, brings together the original ‘Porter House’, commissioned by horticulturist Hugh Dixson in 1876, and a modern edifice with arch-like window features and an eye-catching 335 sqm/3,606 sqft mural by Colombian-born but Australia-based artist Maria Fernanda Cardoso.
We were fond of the narrow, open-air entrance area between the two buildings, not only because it quirkily plays with the idea of walking the line between two different eras, but also because of how bustling and inviting it felt. Wherever we looked, an easy-on-the-eyes design feature looked back at us, while locals poured into the ground-floor restaurant, Henry’s Bread + Wine, and music and chatter blended into one. Turn right at the end of the entrance area and – if your stay is anything like ours – you’ll be greeted by an exceptionally friendly and helpful team at the reception desk, a first impression of the consistently good service we received during our stay (including, mind you, a handwritten note on our room by one of the housekeepers, to wish us a wonderful day ahead).
Smile-inducing notes aside, our Class Room (one of 122 accommodations across the property) came with a kingsize bed, a Nespresso machine and all sorts of smart tech, from DigiValet concierge service and a Smart TV to an iPad and glow-in-the-dark buttons to remotely operate lights, curtains and the AC, all within easy reaching distance from our bed. The room was a little on the smaller side and views of the adjacent Bathurst Street weren’t exactly picturesque, but seeing as we spent most of our time out exploring, this wasn’t the end of the world. Those looking to spend a fair bit of time in the hotel, or travelling with a partner, would be well advised to opt for a higher room category and benefit from more space and nice-to-have amenities like a bathtub and lounge area.
Design-wise, our room was an extension of the hotel’s contemporary look and feel, with brass accents and wooden surfaces, a curved bedhead, a backlit bathroom mirror against a stone wall, beige tiles, abstract art, textured wallpaper and lamp shades somewhere between mid-century and industrialist chic – what sounds like a random smorgasbord of styles added up to a sharp, premium aesthetic that you’ll find across all spaces at The Porter House Hotel Sydney. Another example of the property’s eclectic style is Spice Trader, an exposed-brick-walls type of cocktail bar with curved velvet banquettes, dimmed lights and a dedicated doorway exclusive to hotel guests (ideal for when you need to make an entrance and let the public know you’ve got a room upstairs).
| Perfect for | Fly into | Right on time |
| The Culturalist | SYD | GMT +11 |
| While you’re Out There |
| You could head in any direction from the hotel and stumble upon a Sydney attraction within ten minutes of walking. One we think you shouldn’t miss is the Hyde Park Barracks on the other side of the park: a historical site that once housed convicts brought over from the UK, and later became an asylum for women in need, this place offers a remarkably immersive and modern visitor experience that makes a perfect starting point to learn about Australia’s colonial past. |
Having enjoyed a cocktail or two, we made our way through to the adjoining Dixson & Sons, the hotel’s main restaurant in the style of a modern brasserie. While the inclusion of pescatarian and vegetarian menus made ordering easy for our friends, our plant-based diet meant that things were a little trickier, not least due to a lack of dietary markers in the menus and staff having to double-check any meal we considered ordering. We ended up getting a tomato salad and chickpea panisse, alongside sides that strangely didn’t arrive until after we’d finished our main.
There was no dessert for us that night, as by the time we came around to ordering the mango sorbet, the only vegan-friendly option (and one we didn’t particularly fancy), we were told this had now melted and could no longer be served – perhaps it wasn’t meant to be. All in all, we found our dining experience at The Porter House Hotel Sydney rather underwhelming: the food was alright, although we’ve had far more flavoursome meals in town, and service was so slow, that we thought the restaurant was perhaps understaffed. Breakfast, too, didn’t come without challenges for us, as the mushrooms we were served on our first morning had clearly been prepared in a pan that had been used to fry meat beforehand, and because we couldn’t quite stomach the meaty flavour, they sadly went to waste. Don’t get us wrong: it’s not all bad, and if you don’t have a dietary requirement, you’ll have an easier time. But a place for foodies to descend upon, this is certainly not.
A part of the hotel that’s far more impressive is its rooftop gym, with state-of-the-art Technogym equipment and large windows that let in Australia’s glorious sunshine. There’s also an outdoor pool that lends itself to early morning laps (or a few snaps for your socials). With so much of our time in the city spent exploring its many museums and historical sites, many of which are within easy walking distance from the property, we didn’t make enough use of the workout facilities at The Porter House Hotel Sydney. Though with a bit more time on our hands, we certainly would’ve appreciated them.
We’d say that most guests staying here lead a rather active lifestyle: many are young and fond of the type of contemporary-cool hospitality the hotel prides itself on. You get the sense that any stay here has the potential to feel rather exciting, with boundless potential to meet fellow travellers in the property’s bustling F&B outlets. This isn’t so much a place to ‘cave’ in your room in the evenings, but a lively, boutique space that celebrates creativity and innovation. If MGallery’s mission was to give this part of the Harbour City a new hotspot to congregate at, it’s certainly succeeded in that.
Photography by Steven Woodburn and courtesy of the MGallery Hotel Collection
