We’ve got too many hotels in Sydney to count, but there’s something extra special about this one. Paradox Sydney is a five-star heritage hotel that looks like something you’d see while wandering the streets of New York. The wedge-like form brings landmarks like the Flatiron Building to mind, but its sandstone façade and decorative cornices are pure old-world Sydney. This September, the hotel brings its historic marble-clad halls to life with an evening of live magic.
At Theatre of Magic, mind-blowing illusions unfold just metres from your seat, alongside craft cocktails and a line-up of Australia’s top magicians. The Christopher Wayne–created show is a TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice winner, placing it in the top 10% of experiences around the globe. It’s the kind of night out that will have you questioning everything you just saw—in the best possible way.
Sydney’s Theatre of Magic
19 September 2026 16:30 + more dates
Paradox Sydney: a five-star sanctuary in Sydney’s CBD
Paradox Sydney’s story starts in 1856 when it was built to house John Fairfax & Sons, the publisher of The Sydney Morning Herald. In 1955, the building was transformed to host the Bank of New South Wales before its debut as a five-star hotel in 2000.
Architecturally, the hotel was designed in the Interwar Commercial Renaissance Palazzo style. Standout features include the warm sandstone façade, formal classical detailing, substantial cornices and a rooftop cupola—the perfect Sydney-NYC mix.
Inside, visitors can find Georgian-style arched windows, coffered ceilings and intricate marble details dotted around the hotel. On the upper floors, full-height glass doors open onto petite Parisian-style Juliet balconies looking over the city, bringing a little European romance to the heart of the CBD.
When it’s time for a drink or a bite to eat, guests can head to The Fax Bar for cocktails and Australian grub, enjoy breakfast in the light-filled Lady Fairfax Room or book a table at the award-winning Bentley Restaurant + Bar for a more elevated dinner.
