Radisson Blu Sydney: The John Wick hotel?

By | 18 Jul 2023

The Radisson Blu Plaza hotel in Sydney, Australia

As you approach the Radisson Blu in Sydney, you’d be forgiven for thinking it’s the John Wick hotel: The Continental. 

The Radisson Blu’s sandstone walls loom over the street, casting shadows across the city roads. It sits on a sharp corner in Sydney’s CBD, watching over the streets like a sentinel. 

Bordered by Pitt Street and O’Connell,  the weekdays bring a stream of commuters, but the weekends and nights sit silently, as if waiting for John Wick to arrive. 

If you stand on the corner and look up at the Radisson Blu, it’s not hard to picture Keanu Reeves running up the hotel steps or a timeless Mustang appearing near the valet. 

Tall, old limestone building on a narrow street corner.
Is it John Wick’s Continental Hotel?

Is the Radisson Blu Sydney the John Wick hotel?

The Continental Hotel is a character of its own in the iconic John Wick series, playing a safe haven for assassins. It carries with it a paradox of sophistication, solace and violent tension, taking all who enter as its prey. 

Filmed at the Beaver Building in Manhattan, the exterior of The Continental mirrors the timeless aura of the Radisson Blu, its domineering facade, sandstone structure and flatiron figure. 

Scenes featuring The Continental’s interior were filmed in a various New York locations, including the Cunard Building in New York, Hotel Wolcott, the Rockefeller Center Roof Gardens, Tao Downtown nightclub, the Jane Hotel, The Williamsburgh Savings Bank Tower, AIRE Ancient Baths and the library of the General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen. 

It’s safe to say that the Radisson Blu is not the John Wick hotel, but its resemblance will give your stay some seriously smooth undertones. 

Four images, clockwise from top left: NSW Art Gallery interior, chocolate cake and tea cup and teapot on a table at The Rocks, interior of The Grounds of the City and Sydney Harbour Bridge.
NSW Art Gallery, Le Renaissance Patisserie at The Rocks, The Grounds of the City and Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Stay at the Radisson Blu Sydney

If you’re looking for a luxurious hotel within walking distance of Sydney Harbour, the Radisson Blu is worth checking out. While you won’t find John Wick walking the halls, you will feel like you’re seeing The Continental as you approach the Radisson’s front steps. 

Where is the Radisson Blu Plaza hotel in Sydney?

Located on the corner of Pitt and O’Connell Streets, the Radisson Blu Sydney is sandwiched perfectly between Sydney Harbour, The Rocks, Barangaroo and the CBD. 

From the Radisson, you’re a stone’s throw away from restaurants, and a short walk from iconic tourist hot spots like the Opera House, Circular Quay, The Royal Botanic Gardens, The Rocks and Sydney Harbour Bridge. 

You can head south into the city centre to shop to your heart’s content or walk east to The Art Gallery of NSW. West of The Continental the Radisson Blu, is Barangaroo, a fairly new development in Sydney which is home to The Crown, delicious dining and sparkling views. My personal favourites are Lotus Barangaroo and Rivareno Gelato.  

If you’re heading further away, book an Uber for pick up outside O’Connell St, or walk up to George Street to catch the light rail or a train from Wynyard Station. You don’t even need a special pass to use public transport in Sydney, simply tap on and off using your bank card.  

Four images: Interior of the Queen Victoria Building, St Mary's Cathedral, a view of the Sydney Harbour Bridge from underneath and Hyde Park, a tree lined path.
Anti-clockwise from top left: Queen Victoria Building, St Mary’s Cathedral, Sydney Harbour Bridge, Hyde Park.

How to get to the Radisson Blu hotel in Sydney

If you’re flying to Sydney, you can book your Uber before you arrive, but given the cost of pre-booking, I’d recommend booking an Uber once you’re on the ground in Sydney. 

There’s also the option of catching a train from the airport to Sydney’s CBD, but because the airport train station is privately operated, the train actually costs about $20 per person, which isn’t that much cheaper than an Uber when you’re travelling in a group. We opted for an Uber and spent about $45 travelling from the Sydney domestic airport to the Radisson Blu. 

O’Connell is a multi-lane, one way street with designated stopping areas for taxis, Uber or your family car. Depending on what time you arrive, expect a friendly face ready to greet you as you exit, to help you with your luggage and guide you into the lobby (where Charon will not be waiting for you).

If you catch the train to the Radisson Blu, hop off at Wynyard station and walk one block to the Radisson Blu. Circular Quay is not too far away — if you catch the ferry into the city, walk up Pitt Street and you’ll get to the Radisson Blu in about 10 minutes. 

Four images of Luna Park, Sydney. Coney Island entrance, view of Sydney Harbour from inside, Big Dipper rollercoaster entrance and main entrance to Luna Park which shows a giant face.
Luna Park is a short walk and ferry ride away from the Radisson Blu Plaza hotel in Sydney.

Consider staying at the Radisson Blu during Vivid

We stayed at the Radisson Blu during Vivid Sydney, an iconic festival of light and art. Staying in town during Vivid meant we skipped the public transport queues and were able to walk from front door to festival within minutes. 

We arrived at the Radisson Blu at about 10pm on a Thursday night in June. The sky was clear and the weather was coat worthy, but only just. We strolled over to the Opera House steps, which were blissfully quiet, before having a drink and pizza at the Opera Bar. 

Friday morning involved a leisurely stroll through Hyde Park, a quiet walk through St Mary’s Cathedral, shopping at Pitt Street Mall, eating at Barangaroo and soaking in the Vivid art and light installations at Customs House, Circular Quay and The Rocks. It was food trucks galore, so we never ended up dining at the Radisson Blu’s restaurants. 

On Saturday night, we climbed the Sydney Harbour Bridge and watched from above as the Opera House and Harbour lit up with colour. Doing the Harbour Bridge climb during Vivid was really something but ending the night with gelato was the icing on the cake. 

The Radisson Blu is not far from The Rocks, a historic part of the city where you’ll find The Rocks Markets, designer stores, art galleries, restaurants and cafes such as the must-visit Le Renaissance.

You can also walk to Circular Quay and catch a ferry to a myriad of locations, such as Luna Park, Taronga Zoo, Darling Harbour or Manly, if you’re keen on visiting the beach.  

Four images: Customs House Sydney lit up with coloured lights, Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House lit up with lights, Hello Gorgeous neon sign.
The Radisson Blu is a top spot to stay during Vivid.

Review of the Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel, Sydney

The Radisson Blu offers the best bang for your buck, if you’re looking for the perfect balance of location, luxury and price. It’s also the perfect spot for John Wick fans visiting Sydney.

What we loved about the Radisson Blu Sydney

Its iconic facade was a definite plus and the location was a major drawcard — we definitely wanted a hotel that was pedestrian friendly, where we could walk anywhere without too much difficulty. 

Its location also meant we could come back easily half way through the day, to drop off our shopping bags or put up our feet before heading out for another adventure. 

The lobby is a far cry from The Continental’s but we weren’t there for the lobby, or John Wick (luckily!). Once we reached our floor and exited the elevator, we were enveloped in silence. The carpet would have been soft enough to muffle John Wick’s footsteps and not a sound could be heard from any of the rooms we passed. 

Our room was luxurious, with high ceilings, floor to ceiling curtains, gold fixtures and queen sized beds topped with crisp white linen. The Radisson Blu lets you play Goldilocks, offering a range of pillows to suit your preferences.  

We woke to the sound of silence — despite the traffic below, we couldn’t hear a sound — bliss. 

We made the most of the hotel pool and gym, which is probably the only downside — like many hotels, the Radisson Blu offers a gym, but not a fully equipped gym like Anytime Fitness or SOMA. 

The gym offered enough for our short stay — we used the treadmills, exercise bike, dumbbells and cable machines. There was also an elliptical, yoga mats, yoga balls and more. 

How to book a stay at the Radisson Blu Sydney

If you’re booking a trip to Sydney, click here to book your stay at the Radisson Blu

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