For a toasty fireplace

Lilypad Palm Beach

Isolation amps up cosiness at this luxurious floating villa in the waters off Palm Beach. Set for two, the all-inclusive Lilypad Palm Beach offers a king-sized bed, open fireplace, infrared sauna, impressive wine cellar and stand-up paddleboards, if you want to get the blood pumping. There’s also concierge service on call who delivers your meals, massages can be booked, and an ice bath or hot tub can be added to bookings as an optional extra.

Lilypad, Palm Beach

Capella Sydney

Make indulgence your winter mantra with a stay at the CBD’s internationally acclaimed Capella Sydney – this heritage-listed building packs in wow-factor details across every level. The stunning marble fireplace in the exclusive guest-only Living Room is primed for winter hibernation, but you can also warm up with a dip in the heated pool, stretch through a yoga session, head to the spa for next-level pampering or take your pick from the deluxe dining options onsite.

Heated indoor swimming pool at Capella Sydney

Little National Hotel

The lounge of the Little National Hotel isn’t just a great spot to take in the views of the city skyline, you’ll also find an open fireplace to warm you up. Before you retire to your seamlessly designed, monochrome-cool room featuring a floor-to-ceiling window, get comfy in front of the rooftop lounge fire and order in from the wealth of deluxe dining options nearby – the hotel’s happy to help.

Little National Hotel, Sydney CBD - Credit: DOMA Hotels

For indulgent bathtubs

Tiny Wombat

Situated northwest of the city, Tiny Wombat is a six-person tiny house unlike others, and even more idyllic in the wintertime. Set within the Hills Wildlife Sanctuary in Dural, Tiny Wombat is a cosy retreat surrounded by nature and wildlife. Settle into the outdoor woodfired hot tub in the evening, perched on a timber deck surrounded by trees, and come daytime embark on a behind-the-scenes tour of the Sanctuary.

Tiny Wombat, Dural - Credit: Danielle Nieuwendyk | Into The Wild Escapes

Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour

At waterfront luxury hotel Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour, book into a Junior Suite with floor-to-ceiling windows right next to the tub, or a Luxury Corner Room room. Add in the hotel's signature Sofitel MyBed and bespoke pillow menus for ultra-personalised snoozing and you’ll have few reasons to leave. Note: most, but not all rooms and suites, have baths.

Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour - Credit: Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour

Paramount House Hotel

Book a Loft or Mac Daddy Suite at Surry Hills‘ boutique Paramount House Hotel and you’ll be treated to a hand-crafted, native blackbutt timber, Japanese-style bath. Alongside your soaker, rooms which blend heritage with contemporary cool feature spacious linen-topped beds, plenty of natural light and terrazzo bathrooms. Downstairs, date night starts at natural wine bar and restaurant, Poly, and ends at Golden Age Cinema and Bar.

Paramount House Hotel, Surry Hills - Credit: Tom Ross

The Old Clare Hotel

Bathtubs are the name of the game at beloved Chippendale hotel, The Old Clare. Here, six of the eight available room styles have freestanding bathtubs (Kent and Connell rooms don’t), and they’re typically placed within easy, chat-distance reach to the broader room. Look out for unique-to-each-room Mid Century furniture and art, rich tones and sumptuous drapery. Some rooms even have record players, and others are pet-friendly.

The Clare suite at The Old Clare Hotel, Chippendale - Credit: SONRAC Services Pty Ltd

Pier One Sydney Harbour

At harbourside luxury hotel Pier One Sydney Harbour every suite has a bathtub, perfect for long soaks – in many cases, with a view. In an Opera Bridge Balcony Suite you’ll be treated to iconic views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Luna Park Sydney and a bit of the Sydney Opera House; floor-to-ceiling windows; a spacious bathroom featuring that tub; and a cosy king-sized bed. The Admiral Suite puts you even closer to the action with a freestanding bath sitting almost on the deck outside.

Admiral Suite Bathroom at Pier One Sydney Harbour, Walsh Bay - Credit: Dave Wheeler

For a luxurious, heated pool

W Sydney

Sydney is rich with luxury pools but not many hotels can boast like W Hotel can. Not only does the boldly styled hotel house a 30m rooftop infinity pool sandwiched by harbour views and a vibrant bar, it’s got a second pool in a long, deep indoor hall with similarly epic city views but fewer crowds. Once your drinks, laps or splashes are wrapped up, retire to a colourful room with more views of the water.

W Sydney, Darling Harbour

Paradox Sydney

At Paradox Sydney’s pool it’s three steps to the hot tub, and from the hot tub, it’s steps to a steam room. The sun provides natural light but you’re not relying on that for heat – the pool is warm all year round. The rooms are between corporate and elegant in style and the location is quite literally in the centre of the city.

Paradox Sydney - Credit: Paradox Sydney

Shangri-La Sydney

International hotel chain Shangri-La's Sydney edition is known for having some of the best harbour views in Sydney (taking in the bay, the icons and far into the horizon) but you can take in a different kind of water view in the hotel’s heated indoor pool, sauna and whirlpool spa, underlit for extra evening glow.

Horizon Sydney Harbour Suite at the Shangri-La Sydney, The Rocks - Credit: Shangri-La Sydney

The Langham Sydney

Award-winning five-star hotel, The Langham is understated elegance from foyer to the bedroom. That includes a spectacular pool room with a starry night painted on the ceiling, making any spa or pool attendee feel like they’re swimming in a lake in the bush, only this lake is warm and surrounded by lounges.

The Langham, Sydney - Credit: The Langham

The Eve Hotel Sydney

The beautiful rooftop oasis at Redfern’s The Eve Hotel Sydney, with its sunny pool loungers, cabanas and overhanging palms, is set up all year round. Find the same, ochre-blue-emerald style embedded in everything the hotel does: in your room, the lounge, hotel bar and lobby, which also caters to winter warming with armchairs in front of an inviting fireplace.

By the pool at The Eve Hotel, Redfern - Credit: The Eve

Oxford House

At Oxford House, pick up a drink, a snack and your crew and walk five metres from the bar. Set your snack down and you can dive into the heated, family-friendly pool, sun on face, worry-free. Surface for a bite and a sip, then repeat the routine – just don’t skimp on the sunscreen that’s on offer. At the end, find a room you’d expect to see in the home of your most stylish friend: not ostentatious, just classy.

Oxford House, Darlinghurst - Credit: Public Hospitality

Further afield

Mt Kanimbla Retreats

Pack your winter woollies and breathe the crisp Blue Mountains winter air at Mt Kanimbla Retreats’ three cabins: Woodlands Cabin, Hilltop Cabin and The Lodge. Depending on your pick, find a spot by the fire pit, daydream from the warmth of a luxurious bath, or take in the views from the cosy living areas (keeping your eye out for the local kangaroos and wallabies). Experience a total refresh with a winter dip in the plunge pool… though it’s not for the faint-hearted.

Mt Kanimbla Retreats, Blue Mountains - Credit: Asia Upward

Spicers Sangoma Retreat

Truly escape from it all and connect with nature at the luxurious Spicers Sangoma Retreat. While the surrounding hikes of the Blue Mountains beckon, it will be hard to step outside with open fireplaces, deep baths, floor-to-ceiling windows to marvel at the views and delectable dining care of Restaurant Amara all in the same place. A session at Spa Anise will also have you floating back to your private suite.

Spicers Sangoma Retreat, Bowen Mountain

Kyah

Blackheath’s Kyah is a lovingly restored former motel also set in the misty mountains. Across 46 rooms find a range of accommodations from two-bedroom suites to king rooms, a tennis court, e-bikes, the incredible Blaq Restaurant and Bar, a breathtaking Japanese cherry blossom, sauna and outdoor woodfired hot tub.

Kyah Hotel, Blackheath - Credit: Steven Woodburn | Kyah Boutique Hotel