A'Mare at Crown Sydney

"How do you make waves in a city whose beaches are already the envy of the world? Sun, sand, and salty feet might be the hallmarks of a holiday Down Under, but the latest big hotel opening in Sydney has guests swimming among skyscrapers—that is, five levels up in an infinity pool overlooking a stylish new harborside district, with a Bloody Mary in hand. The glossy 890-foot Crown Sydney in Barangaroo brings with it a sense of opulence the harbor city has long lacked. The centerpiece is that pool, and it's a showstopper, with private cabanas, laid-back beats, and flawless service (it's a prime lunch-and-cocktail spot). Equally jaw-dropping are the floor-to-ceiling vistas of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House in the hotel's sprawling, tech-savvy suites. Among its 14 eateries and bars is Nobu's latest outpost, plus its 12-seater high-end sushi off-shoot Yoshii's Omakase and Cirq Bar, which holds court 26 floors up on the rooftop terrace. crownsydney.com.au; doubles from $514."