The Hughenden, Sydney

It’s a boutique hotel with a rich and vibrant history and The Hughenden is the type of place which has a fiercely loyal following of repeat guests, thanks to its easy charm and home-away-from-home atmosphere. Located between Woollahra and Paddington in Sydney’s east, this grand family residence was built in 1870 and in its more than 140 year history has been a Masonic hall, a nurses’ home, a dance hall and The Riviere College for young ladies, before falling into disrepair until 1992. Author Susanne Gervay and her family restored The Hughenden into a boutique hotel which is now the complete antithesis of a chain hotel. Here you’ll find a grand staircase, chandeliers, Australian and European artworks, marble fire places, leather arm chairs and antique furniture complimented by a laid-back personalised service where staff remember all guests by name.

(We're offering you the chance to win two nights and dinner for two at the Hughenden in one of our holiday competitions.) 

The Rooms:

Each of the rooms are individually decorated and styled but all feature antique furniture and original artworks, with modern ensuite bathrooms. From the minimalist Cosy Rooms, which are ideal for short stays, to Standard Rooms which are the most popular, to Standard Plus Rooms and the grand Manor Suite, all accommodations retain the historical charm of The Hughenden and are fused with modern contemporary touches which blend together seamlessly. The Manor Suite was the original master bedroom of the original owner, Dr Frederick Harrison Quaife, and is a perfect romantic getaway with a plush lounge area and a king sized bed which is very difficult to stay away from. There’s also a connecting shutter door which opens out onto a large balcony with views across Queen Street. Across the road from the main hotel, The Hughenden has two fully refurbished interconnecting Victorian-era terrace houses which have been turned into self-contained apartments. And their pride and joy is the recently restored Superintendent’s Residence, which is located in nearby Centennial Park. It’s a stand-alone heritage home at the top of the famous park and after years of planning and restoring, it’s now part of The Hughenden accommodation offerings.

Other Facilities:

This boutique hotel has all you need for a leisure or business trip: an intimate bar and lounge, a reading room, free wi-fi in public areas, 24 hour reception and plenty of space to relax and just take in the atmosphere. The restaurant on site is called Vincent and it’s a French-style brasserie which serves the breakfast for in-house guests and is also open to the public for lunch and dinner.

The Verdict:

Rich in history, restored lovingly with style and charm, The Hughenden is one of Sydney’s genuinely welcoming boutique hotels which has a lot of repeat guests who rightly consider this to be their “second home.”