Wildlife Retreat at Taronga

The Sanctuary walk was a highlight, introducing us to our friendly neighbours, the koalas and kangaroos. We also enjoyed dinner and breakfast at Me-Gal Restaurant, plus guided walks around the zoo at sunset and sunrise. We had drinks and snacks at the N’Gurra Lounge, which has amazing views of Sydney harbour. Our room was spacious and very comfortable, and all the staff were excellent and friendly. Wildlife Retreat at Taronga feels like a hidden gem for a Sydney staycation. Highly recommended!

This was our third visit, and it felt just as magical as the first. The meals were 5 star, the rooms were wonderful, and everything is included. We especially loved the private zoo tour, which only hotel guests can see, and getting into the park two hours before it opens to talk with the animal keepers. They’re so passionate and will tell you all you ever wanted to know and answer any questions. Totally worth the trip. Thanks to everyone for making it magical!

The location is iconic and what really makes this hotel next level. If you get the right room, you might even spot a koala outside the window. I had red kangaroos outside mine, then saw echidnas wandering around after breakfast. Even the most basic rooms feel luxurious, and the bed was out of this world. I loved every second of my stay, and breakfast felt high class too. Just be aware that the bar closes very early if you like a drink.

I’d love to come back in a few years and stay longer. We packed a lot into about 24 hours, and one or two extra days would have let us enjoy the setting properly. The staff were flexible with tour bookings, depending on availability, and never seemed judgmental when we missed bookings. I heard similar conversations from other guests in the lounge. We ended up doing three free tours, all worth the time, with Emily as our guide for each. She was cool and down to earth. They also changed our dinner booking at Me-Gal when we needed to shift the tours. I’ll leave a separate review there. The service was immaculate throughout. I’d planned my engagement for check-in day and asked the staff to put a bottle of champagne from my bag on ice. There was a laptop, another ring and other valuables in the bag, all clearly untouched. When we got to the room, the champagne was chilled with glasses ready. The staff seemed genuinely happy for us and were expecting us when we returned from the day at the zoo. It was a true 5-star experience. Our animal view room was comfortable and lived up to its name, with two koalas outside for the entire two days. The double sliding door opened wide to great views of the Sydney skyline and bridge, and the room had lots of thoughtful details you don’t usually get at a similar price.