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Whether you’re visiting for an event or planning an extended family break, the Pullman at Sydney Olympic Park delivers a five-star experience that never compromises on comfort or convenience.
We come to Sydney Olympic Park for a big moment. The NSW Schools Spectacular at Qudos Bank Arena is always a big deal as 5,500 ultra-talented NSW public school children storm the stage to sing, dance and entertain. But this year it’s an even bigger deal for us! Because this year our girl is stepping into the spotlight as a featured vocalist, which is thrilling, nerve-wracking, pride-inducing, and… well, utterly exhausting.
Sydney Olympic Park becomes our home for the week
Right now, it’s 11pm, and she’s asleep in a cloud-like king bed at the Pullman at Sydney Olympic Park, stage makeup still smudged beneath her eyes because she was too exhausted to wash it off properly after tonight’s performance. Tomorrow she’ll perform again, and I need her rested, fed and as calm as a 14-year-old facing an audience of 20,000 can possibly be.
Choosing to stay onsite at Sydney Olympic Park is not only to help her manage the early call times and late finishes these performances demand but also to give her a base where she can grab a shower between shows, collapse after all-day rehearsals, and provide a protective bubble without the usual domestic distractions. Plus I need somewhere to work, because life goes on, even for the mother of a bona fide diva!
But what we find at the Pullman at Sydney Olympic Park is so much more than space and comfort. This is a hotel that understands exactly what families need, whether they’re here for an event like this or just to soak up the ambience and activities that surround it.
The suite life at Pullman at Sydney Olympic Park
Our top-floor executive suite becomes our haven the moment we arrive. At 60 square metres, it gives us room to breathe, with separate living and sleeping areas that mean I can work on my laptop after my daughter falls asleep without disturbing her. The panoramic windows frame views across Sydney Olympic Park, where she stands this morning watching the sun rise over Qudos Bank Arena, practising her breathing exercises while I make coffee on the in-room machine.
Our plush king-sized bed deserves all the accolades. Dressed in premium linens, it comes with a pillow menu offering everything from firm to marshmallow-soft options, meaning we can each find the one that will offer the right support for our individual heads. I opt for a firmer option, while Sugarpuff chooses something softer. And the plush Pullman teddy bear sitting alongside it seems delighted with her choice.
The bathroom is big enough for two divas to get ready without getting in the way of each other, and there’s a spa bath deep enough to actually submerge in, which proves a gift for my girl after a big day of rehearsal on our first night.
The suite comes with access to the executive lounge, which proves invaluable for me as I have big deadlines! Throughout the day, it offers soft drinks, coffee and tea, as well as super-speed WiFi. But it’s the complimentary happy hour canapés and a sneaky G&T that become my ritual before each of my daughter’s evening performances.
Splendidly spoiled at Pullman
What transforms our stay from comfortable to genuinely special are the thoughtful touches scattered throughout the suite. There’s an edible bouquet of cupcakes greeting us on arrival, silk sleep masks on the pillows, and indulgent face sheet masks tucked into our amenity kit (which add to the bath ritual). There’s also a bottle of bubbles for me and mindful colouring books, which prove oddly meditative between rehearsals and shows.
I must point out that all this spoilage isn’t special treatment. The hotel extends their tailored amenities service to all Accor Loyalty Program members, silver and above. They get to know their member and do their research to try and understand guest preferences and deliver amenities accordingly, which explains why the offerings feel genuinely suited to us and our situation, rather than generic hotel gestures.
Bacar Restaurant & Bar
The hotel’s Bacar Restaurant & Bar becomes our reliable anchor. The kitchen operates with the kind of precision that matters when you’re managing early starts and late finishes. They open for breakfast at 6:00am, which accommodates her early call times. She needs substantial breakfasts before busy days, and they deliver with a breakfast buffet that is comprehensive without being overwhelming and with plenty of healthy options. Plus, the hotel’s 24-hour room service is a godsend on performance nights, as my girl arrives back late and exhausted.
We also manage to squeeze in a dinner at a civilised hour on the first night of our stay and are pleasantly surprised by the menu. The kitchen sources from local farmers and providors, which you can taste in the quality. We start with the Hiramasa kingfish ceviche with a kalamansi, jalapeño, crème fraîche and finger lime dressing, giving a zing of citrus brightness and heat that enhances the fish.
My main, roasted Game Farm duck breast, is exceptional. Perfectly pink, it is served over barley risotto with braised witlof and pickled beetroot with a smoked honey glaze and is rich but refined. The dessert of classic coffee mille-feuille layered with layers of crispy, caramelised pastry and rich, coffee-flavored cream is sublime, and we waddle back to the suite content.
Eating options around Sydney Olympic Park
If we need something faster or different, there are so many options surrounding us, from popular fast-food chains within metres of the hotel to cafes and restaurants that run the gamut from specialist (and exceptionally good) Thai and Italian to fine dining.
The Brewery Bar + Kitchen at the neighbouring Novotel Sydney Olympic Park deserves a special mention. Located on the lower ground floor between Olympic Park station and Accor Stadium, the atmosphere is casual and energetic, with screens showing sport and a menu that doesn’t require difficult decisions, like hearty schnitzels, proper burgers and pub favourites like salt and pepper squid. You might even spot a Sydney King or two signing autographs for fans after games during basketball season.
It’s worth noting that the 4.5 star Novotel Sydney Olympic Park and the budget-friendly 3-star ibis Sydney Olympic Park both sit adjacent to the Pullman and are equally perfect for accessing Accor Stadium, Qudos Bank Arena and the Showground. This clever cluster of Accor properties means families and groups can find accommodation suited to different budgets while staying in the same convenient location and having access to sister hotel facilities.
Things to do with kids around Sydney Olympic Park
Not only does the Pullman sit alongside Qudos Bank Arena and Accor Stadium, making it convenient for events, but it’s also within walking distance of a world of fun and adventure for families.
Bicentennial Park’s 40 hectares sprawl nearby with pathways winding through landscaped gardens and beside tranquil waterways. It’s perfect for morning runs, cycling, or simply decompressing away from crowds. Blaxland Riverside Park is home to a splashpad, where kids can cool off on hot days. Wentworth Common playground is another top spot and features a flying fox and enormous sandpit that will keep children occupied for hours.
The Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre offers a rapid river ride and water slides while URBANSURF lets you ride world-class mechanical waves regardless of your skill level. There’s also archery, laser tag and laser clay pigeon shooting programs at Sydney Olympic Park Archery Centre. Plus, you’ll find the super cute is Bubble Planet for the younger set and the Horizon of Khufu VR experience that transports you to ancient Egypt with impressive technological wizardry.
For those who consider retail a competitive sport, DFO outlet shopping sits practically on the doorstep of Sydney Olympic Park. And school holiday programs run throughout summer that are thoughtfully designed and well-executed. Plus, the precinct hosts Sydney Kings basketball games and Sydney Flames netball matches throughout summer.
Family escape package at Pullman at Sydney Olympic Park
To that end, the Pullman at Sydney Olympic Park is offering a luxurious Family Escape package from *$365 for two adults and two children until the end of January 2026. The package includes overnight accommodation, breakfast for the family, welcome gifts for the kids, plus complimentary tickets to the Aquatic Centre and discounted parking. It’s the kind of deal that makes a city break feel financially feasible rather than extravagant.
So stay a few days to explore all that is on offer at Sydney Olympic Park, or use it as a base to explore wider Sydney, as Sydney Olympic Park Station provides excellent connections to the city, Parramatta and beyond.
Pullman at Sydney Olympic Park… our verdict!
Our verdict? This is five-star accommodation that understands its purpose. Whether you’re here for an event at the arena or stadium, a major sporting match or just using it as a base for a holiday, the Pullman delivers incredible service and plush style without pretension.
It’s the kind of place that makes everything easier, which, whether you’re managing big moments or just keeping a family functioning, is worth every dollar. Honestly, we may have come for my daughter’s big moment, but the Pullman at Sydney Olympic Park has stolen the show.
Pullman at Sydney Olympic Park
Olympic Blvd,
Sydney Olympic Park NSW
Tel +61 2 8762 1700
Disclosure: We stayed as guests of Accor, but all diva action, cupcake scoffing, snuggles and opinions are my own.
An award-winning travel writer and photographer, Aleney de Winter was fresh from school when she first set off to explore the far reaches of Australia with a two-man tent and a beaten-up Kingswood for company. Three decades, and two kids later, and she's still on the go, with her itchy-footed offspring in tow. 