With an old-fashioned ambience a world away from the city-slicker styling of most Sydney hotels, Sir Stamford leaves a grand first impression with its waistcoated staff, glittering chandeliers and gilt-framed portraits. The huge rooms – plush carpeting, sofas, marble bathrooms and pictures of English country life – are lovely, service is a strong point and there's a sundeck with a tiny pool.
The bar is beautiful; it's worth swinging by for a G&T even if you're not staying.