World's Best The Top 5 City Hotels in Australia and New Zealand in 2021 By Chloe Sachdev Chloe Sachdev Chloe Sachdev is a London-based lifestyle and travel journalist. Her portfolio includes work with Condé Nast Traveller, The Telegraph, The Evening Standard, Travel + Leisure, Suitcase, and others. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines Published on September 8, 2021 Note: If you’re looking for our most recent recommendations, check out the 2023 list of our favorite city hotels in Australia and New Zealand. This year's World's Best Awards survey was open for voting January 11 through May 10, 2021, as destinations around the world were lifting COVID-19 restrictions. Survey rules have always allowed readers to reflect on their travel experiences over a three year period. We hope that this year's honorees will inspire your own travels as you get back out into the world. This year, Sydney and Melbourne dominated the list of the best city hotels in Australia and New Zealand, with T+L readers once again favoring grande dames over boutique bolt-holes. Spacious rooms, swank interiors, and luxury amenities characterize each property. Every year for our World's Best Awards survey, T+L asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe — to share their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Hotels were rated on their facilities, location, service, food, and overall value. Properties were classified as city or resort based on their locations and amenities. When it comes to Sydney, T+L readers prefer hotels where they can catch glimpses of the city's famed sights. "Amazing location with stunning views," said one reader about the Shangri-La (No.4), located in the historic Rocks district. Windows of the 36th-floor restaurant and bar offer a prime vantage point from which to appreciate both the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House. hotel deck at Hotel Langham Melbourne, Australia. Shellie Froidevaux/Iron Chef Shellie/Courtesy of Hotel Langham Melbourne Also in the Rocks, the waterfront Park Hyatt Sydney (No. 3) shares similarly spellbinding views and exceptional comforts, including a rooftop heated pool. One T+L reader praised it as having the "best location in Sydney, a great rooftop pool, and helpful staff." But it's Melbourne that claims the top two spots. The runner-up? Park Hyatt Melbourne, with its central location and beautiful Victorian architecture. Nestled in one of Melbourne's most historic areas (opposite St Patrick's Cathedral and moments from the shopping district on Collins Street), it spoils guests with enormous rooms and suites tricked out with ultra-luxe bathrooms with marble finishes and Le Labo amenities. But it's the Langham, Melbourne, situated on the Yarra River, that garnered the highest praise from readers. Find out what they had to say below. 1. The Langham, Melbourne Kerrie Hess in hotel Suite 2, Hotel Langham Melbourne, Australi. Shellie Froidevaux/Iron Chef Shellie/Courtesy of Hotel Langham Melbourne Traditional and timeless, the Langham, Melbourne, shows there's still an appetite among readers who want classic hotel experiences with easy access to the best Australia's cities have to offer. Located on the riverside in the Southbank precinct, the hotel is just a few minutes' walk to the city center, close to theaters, main shopping districts, and strolls along the Yarra River. All 388 spacious rooms have marble bathrooms and deep, luxurious tubs, while some also have private terraces or balconies. "The Langham, Melbourne, is my home away from home," wrote one reader. "I love everything about this hotel, especially the staff." Score: 92.00More information: langham.com 2. Park Hyatt Melbourne hotel Terrace Suite living room; Park Hyatt Melbourne, Australia. Courtesy of Park Hyatt Melbourne Score: 91.53More information: hyatt.com 3. Park Hyatt Sydney hotel rooftop pool, Park Hyatt Sydney, Australia. Courtesy of Park Hyatt Sydney WBA Hall of Fame honoree. Score: 91.03More information: hyatt.com 4. Shangri-La, Sydney Royal-Suite; Shangri-La Hotel Sydney, Australia. Courtesy of Shangri-La Sydney Score: 90.76More information: shangri-la.com 5. Grand Hyatt Melbourne hotel lobby at Grand Hyatt Melbourne, Australia. Courtesy of Grand Hyatt Melbourne Score: 88.40More information: hyatt.com See all of our readers' favorite hotels, cities, airlines, cruise lines, and more in the World's Best Awards for 2021.