It’s 2pm on a Sunday, and the DJ is blowing bubbles into the air over the beach club that thrums with a Nu-disco soundtrack and a sun-soaked, distinctly holiday-coded energy. Beside the pool, couples lounge on sun beds with glasses of pale rosé and plates of freshly shucked oysters, and friends gossip by the bar with goblets of Aperol. Next door, in the ocean-facing restaurant, families celebrate birthdays and engagements with plates loaded with slow-roasted lamb and sizzling saganaki. We are, unbelievably, not in Mykonos – but at a recently revamped hotel on the shores of Sydney’s Brighton-Le-Sands beach.
Following a multi-million-dollar renovation, the former Novotel property reopened in October 2025 under the M Gallery brand. And I’m calling it: this is the most transporting staycation you can book in Sydney this summer.
What is The Brighton like?
Right in the beating heart of one of Sydney’s buzzy multicultural coastal suburbs, The Brighton is as close as you’ll come to a European beach resort without leaving the Harbour City. The huge bayside retreat – complete with a Mediterranean-inspired beach club and a show-stealing outdoor pool – has all the polish of a global boutique hotel, ignited by the soul of its tight-knit Greek-Australian neighbourhood. Design-forward and deeply connected to its location, The Brighton is a playful, vacation-mode stay where seaside serenity meets a very Greek sense of swagger.
What are the rooms like at The Brighton?
Spread across 14 floors, the hotel’s 307 rooms range from entry-level ‘Deluxe’ rooms to sky-high designer suites, complete with private balconies, luxe living rooms and bespoke in-room touches. Drenched in sunlight through floor-to-ceiling windows, the rooms lean into soft coastal palettes and natural textures, with the modern touches you’d hope for from a recently revamped luxury stay (spa-style bathrooms, plush robes, and high-spec speakers and TVs).
Which are the best restaurants at The Brighton?
Overlooking the bay, Ammos is the jewel in the hotel’s crown – a multi-award-winning Mediterranean restaurant from Peter Conistis, serving perfectly salty Greek food with special-occasion flair. For something more cruisy, Coco’s on the Beach brings barefoot, post-swim energy – with a varied, accessible menu available to order from the comfort of your sun bed. Next door, adults-only Sands Bar delivers an incredibly convincing impression of a Mykonos beach club: an exceptionally well-stocked bar, comfy cabanas and a perfect menu of picky-bits. Our advice? Order a round of tequila-spiked slushies and a few plates of fresh seafood, and cancel all your other plans.
What is the service like at The Brighton?
In line with the authentic, community-focused ethos, the service here is boutique without the fuss – warm, polished and firmly rooted in local hospitality. There are thoughtful touches left in our room and friendly faces at every turn – a sense that staff genuinely want you to feel part of the bayside story.
Is there a gym or pool at The Brighton?
Yes, and they’re both exceptional. The palm-flanked outdoor pool is the perfect spot for a summer day, with the adjoining hot tub and kiddies’ pool making it popular with swimming enthusiasts of any age. Overlooking the outdoor pool, you’ll find a large indoor heated pool for year-round laps and a bright, expansive fitness centre fitted with Peloton bikes, high-performance cardio gear and space to stretch it all out.
Is there a spa at The Brighton?
There’s no full-service spa, but wellness is absolutely woven in. You’ll find a sauna and steam room, restorative communal spaces and plenty of opportunities to unwind – whether that’s zoning out in the hot tub or kicking back on your balcony with a book as the sun sets over the city.
What’s the area like around The Brighton?
A 20-minute drive from Sydney’s CBD and less than 10 minutes from the airport, Brighton-Le-Sands is a lively, often overlooked suburb that’s very much on the up. Home to a thriving Greek-Australian community, the suburb’s colourful streets are dotted with some of the city’s best affordable Greek eateries, with shisha bars and souvlaki stops spilling out onto the pavements. The beach that borders the suburb’s main strip isn’t Sydney’s best, but there are plenty of beautiful, unspoiled beaches within an easy drive or bus ride – though if you’re staying at The Brighton, there’s really no need to leave the premises.
Address: 2 Princess St, Brighton-Le-Sands NSW 2216
Price per night: From $349.
Closest transport link: Several buses stop nearby, or the closest train station is Rockdale – a nine minute taxi ride from the hotel. Sydney Airport is also just 9 minutes’ drive from the hotel.
Book now: Over here.
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