Next to one of Sydney’s most iconic theatres sits a newly refurbished stay combining the unmistakable flair of the theatre with a sleek inner-city vibe.

The Capitol Hotel Sydney, part of the Independent Collection at EVT, shut its doors for two years to re-emerge as a stylish modern stay that pays homage to its rich history.

Once a circus, the Belmore Markets, and a hippodrome, The Capitol has tapped into its past to create a cosy yet fashionable hotel where theatrical aesthetics breathe new life into this classic stay.

The Capitol’s lounge – The Capitol

Location

It’s tough to find anything negative about The Capitol’s location. Nestled in the heart of Haymarket, the hotel sits a one-minute walk from Paddy’s Markets, less than five minutes from Central Station and a short walk from Darling Harbour.

Entertainment is in no short supply with the newly reopened IMAX theatre nearby and the constantly bustling World Square awaiting travellers looking to blow off some steam. And, of course, The Capitol Theatre is quite literally next door for theatre fanatics and art appreciators alike.

It’s restaurants galore in The Capitol’s neck of the woods (or concrete jungle). Venture to quaint Asian eateries nearby for a reasonably priced meal (Chinese Noodle House is a must-visit for the dumpling-obsessed) or pop further into the city to splurge on a decadent feast.

The Stay

Forward-thinking yet not overly complicated, the hotel boasts innovative technology that facilitates a smooth check-in. A traveller’s first point of contact at The Capitol will be similar to an airport’s. Travellers enter their details onto an “intelity tablet” and it spits out the hotel key. Simple as pie!

Nibbles and drinks at The Capitol – The Capitol

Venture past check-in and find low lighting in the corridors, modern artwork adorning the walls, bespoke furniture and directional carpet establishing the theatrics of The Capitol. A unique colour palette blesses each level with either teal, gold, sage or red to bring the ambience of the stage alive on various floors.

The room itself is spacious but stylish. Splashes of gold and blue surround the room, while a playful desk lamp means you might find a monkey, rabbit or duck lighting up your room.

Even the pillows evoke the theatre! Designs of iconic musicals and shows under your weary head will elicit dreams of Singing In The Rain, Mary Poppins, The Lion King and more!

Your typical hotel amenities were all there. A kettle for your tea, charging ports for your phone, minifridge for late-night leftovers, speedy Wi-Fi and a safe for all those valuables. A smart TV with Chromecast means you’re not stuck watching Home and Away (unless you want to), and a central iPad on the wall controls lighting and wake-up alarms. It’s uber-modern without being complex.

Queen Room at The Capitol (spot the funky lamp in the corner) – The Capitol

One pain point, however, was an aspect of the bathroom. The bathroom is set up so that the mirror stretches across most of the wall, reflecting more than what I wanted mirrored at me while standing to urinate. The toilet’s position right next to the door also meant relieving oneself on a strange angle to avoid the toilet paper roll jutting out of the wall. Perhaps this isn’t an issue for all but something I found a bit impractical.

Aside from this, the bathroom was spacious and simple. Hand-pumped shampoo, conditioner and body wash were available in the shower and the solid water pressure meant you weren’t struggling to wash any of it off.

The F&B

The in-house restaurant, The Capitol Kitchen and Bar, is a convenient, well-priced eatery serving Italian-influenced bites perfect for a pre-night-out nibble. Share a charcuterie plate or satisfy that sweet tooth with a chocolate brownie. An absolute must-try is the arancini balls; they’ll illuminate the taste buds.

Food at The Capitol Kitchen & Bar – The Capitol

All your classic cocktails are there for the fancy drinkers, while a modest array of international beers and predominantly Australian wines (and some French bubbly and rosé) grace the menu to accompany those delicious picky bits.

Similar to the rest of The Capitol, warm lighting and a cool design means it’s like travellers are eating in the theatre, but they can actually see what’s around them and are less worried about bumping elbows with fellow moviegoers.

Verdict

Overall, The Capitol Hotel Sydney is a unique stay that must go on the list for visitors to Sydney.

With 95 refurbished rooms across 11 accommodation styles, for solo travellers through to rooms catering to up to seven guests, The Capitol welcomes a wide array of travellers.

This new addition to the incredible collection of Sydney hotels gets a 9/10 from us at Travel Weekly.