Explore the best luxury hotels in the Pacific from Sydney to Polynesia

A luxury hotel is much more than somewhere to stay. Stepping into a Sofitel property is immediately impactful when you take in the architectural designs conceived by world-renowned experts. Sofitel interiors mix French panache and local influences, and the same enticing blend runs through the cuisine, wellness treatments and connections to Pacific culture.

Peerless service is a given, from bartenders to concierges, who are always delighted to tailor personalized services. Luxury is also defined by experiences. This includes opportunities to connect with communities, such as meeting with local producers or artists.

Sofitel spas combine the expertise of Parisian wellness brands with the time-tested traditions of local healing techniques. And in the world's best hotels, in-house restaurants are some of the most celebrated in any given city. 

While the best luxury hotels in the Pacific reach the higher end of accommodation price ranges and may have limited availability, time spent at prestigious addresses is well worth it for the memorable value and experiences on offer. Discover some of the most inviting Sofitel hotels in the region.

The waters of Darling Harbour glisten in the sun, serene when seen from a lounge chair beside Sofitel's infinity pool. Yet, this has also been a working port for centuries. Its heritage is reflected in the décor of Atelier restaurant, where brick and driftwood motifs set the tone. In this venue, whose name means "workshop" in French, the menu reflects the creativity and imagination of historical figures who made nautical exploration possible.

Discover dishes with strong ties to France and the Mediterranean, enhanced by local, sustainable ingredients from the sea and land of bounteous New South Wales. Dry-aged Moorabool Valley duck breast with Chardonnay-poached Corella pear is an excellent example. To experience France and Sydney simultaneously, sip cuvées or Mistress of Marseille cocktails in the waterfront Champagne Bar.

Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour is home to one of the best spas in Sydney, where French Biologique Recherche skincare meets Australian botanics.

Timeless Parisian sophistication meets the finest South Australian produce at Garçon Bleu, the award-winning signature restaurant at Sofitel Adelaide. Take a moment to admire the intricately detailed setting. Blue velvet seating adds the elegance that's inherent in the best luxury hotels in the Pacific. Mirrors, contemporary art and city views define the visual esthetics.

In the heart of this laid-back coastal city, Garçon Bleu is the recipient of an AHA award for Best Restaurant - Accommodation Division. The venue presents a menu where regional ingredients elevate haute French cooking. Savor Antipodean southern rock lobster with Mornay sauce and frites au fromage, or mignonette flavoring on oysters sourced from South Australia's Smoky Bay. 

Forward-thinking design unfolds at NO35, the acclaimed restaurant at Sofitel Melbourne on Collins. In this award-winning restaurant, the menu is just as creative. Picture Kingfish ceviche and avocado mousse served with Avruga caviar. The inventiveness is anchored by the impeccable service and universal refinement found at all Sofitel hotels.

To delve deeper into the gastronomic landscape here in Melbourne, savor Sofitel's High Tea, where treats like Veliche Belgian chocolate brownies and meringue tartlets pair with Champagne, coffee and global teas. It's all served under the striking roof designed by the eminent architect I. M. Pei.

Pristine white rooms, lush greenery, and the bluest sea and sky grace Sofitel Noosa Pacific Resort along Queensland's Sunshine Coast.

Overlooking the long stretch of beach, this five-star Noosa hotel brings together a breezy shoreside feel and natural wood accents, with a kiss of vintage glamor. Sofitel service adds a special touch to the laid-back beach vibes that make this oasis one of the very best luxury hotels in the Pacific.

Allow the revitalizing qualities of the sea to bring you back to a state of wellness, together with the Aqua Day Spa, where tranquility awaits. Inside this enlivening Noosa spa, discover world-class treatments, an aqua therapy pool and marine-inspired Thalgo products from the French Riviera.

There are plenty of other spots in which to unwind, like the lagoon-style pool with its swim-up bar, and The Cabanas Noosa where private butlers serve up Champagne. Dishes across the resort pop with color and French zest, not least at Noosa Beach House restaurant.

Enjoy island life at its most idyllic on Fiji's west coast. Coastal-chic rooms, five distinctive restaurants and a lagoon-style pool hugged by palm trees make Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa truly one of the best luxury hotels in the Pacific islands. There's an exclusive adults-only Beach Club, plus Niu Kids Beach Club and airy family suites all in the same location. Luxury for all. 

In the sublime spa, select treatments using Pure Fiji products made with organic ingredients derived from the South Pacific, and Fiji in particular. The Tropical Fijian Bobo Massage uses techniques passed down through generations. Naturally, the spa menu features packages for brides and their guests in this hotel renowned for hosting weddings in paradise. After your treatment, sit back under the thatched shade of the patio with Fijian artwork and views of the green lawn.

White sands, thatched dining areas and the fragrant scent of tiaré flowers on the warm breeze. In this exquisite corner of French Polynesia, the accommodations include enchanting overwater wooden bungalows that float over the turquoise Pacific Ocean. Step out from your beach-chic room onto the deck, then tiptoe down the ladder and ease into the warm water. Later, arrive for a treatment in the singular spa or gaze out to the horizon from the infinity pool.

The Pacific Islands region has a culture all of its own. Become immersed in it at Pure, the resort's grill and Tahitian restaurant. Sample dishes cooked in an ahi ma’a Polynesian oven, watch well-known Moorean singer Hauata and an accompanying ukulele trio, and sip a cocktail while taking in traditional dance performances. Nearby, indulge in fine dining under the cathedral roof made from local Kahaia wood.

Brisbane is a dynamic riverside metropolis with a cultural pulse driven by galleries and art museums, as well as a live music scene in the Fortitude Valley district. Admire paintings, sculptures and ceramics by Australian artists at the William Robinson Gallery, and explore public art trails. You may even encounter Christopher Trotter's Biomechanical Pelicans sculptures along the Brisbane River.

After absorbing the eclectic experiences that the Queensland capital has to offer, a moment of calm in an urban spa is unforgettably satisfying. Stephanies Spa Retreat at Sofitel Brisbane Central is a wellness haven right within the Central Business District. Breathe deeply in the Opal Rasul Steam Temple, rejuvenate with a botanical facial, or accompany your little one for a family treatment offered to children age four and older.

For a well-earned adult treat, head for cocktails with French flair at Cuvée, the Sofitel bar where floor-to-ceiling windows display the stately 1901 clocktower belonging to Brisbane's Central Railway Station.

Botany inspires the surroundings at Sofitel Wellington, where the historical Wellington Botanic Garden sits less than 10 minutes' walk away. Rooms and suites with understated elegance feature horticultural, earthen tones. The artwork is reminiscent of botanical samples taken during 1800s voyages of natural discovery. Many abodes offer views of the harbor and tree-lined hills, complemented by the modern skyline. Balmain bathroom amenities add the scent of French art de vivre. 

Floral motifs grow bolder in the striking setting of Jardin Grill restaurant, which fittingly has a terrace featuring plentiful plants. Alongside the expertly sourced scallops, lamb and steaks on the menu, look out for kumara. This sweet potato has significant cultural heritage in New Zealand, as it was introduced by Polynesian ancestors of the islands' Māori popular centuries ago. Look out, too, for the kid-friendly Le Petit Prince menu, ideal during family holidays in New Zealand.

Find urban refinement in the iconic Sydney landmark that is Sofitel Sydney Wentworth. The hotel's idiosyncratic edifice has a rounded exterior towering over a central courtyard, while crystal light fixtures and marble floors typify the old-world elegance inside.

With Sofitel, it's pleasing to note that some of the best luxury hotels in the Pacific have decorative themes linking them together across oceans. As in Wellington, botany is on display at this Sydney five-star hotel, including at Delta Rue restaurant, where French-Vietnamese cuisine is the star. At tilda, meanwhile, small-scale Australian producers shine. A notable example of how Sofitel connects with local life, just like the mingling of guests and Sydneysiders in Wentworth Bar.