Wildlife Retreat at Taronga

The idea of a zoo hotel — not located near a zoo, but actually on the grounds of one — is something of a novelty. It’s particularly noteworthy when the zoo in question is considered one of the best in the world. The Wildlife Retreat at Taronga is located inside Taronga Zoo Sydney, and when front desk staff mention that it’s possible to wake up to a kangaroo hopping by or a koala clinging to a tree outside your window, they’re not exaggerating — and every stay comes with a two-day admission and a guided afternoon tour of the sanctuary.

Rivaling the wildlife views are the postcard-like panoramas of the city skyline. This modern eco-lodge looks across the water at the Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge, a scene that’s showcased to dazzling effect in the hotel’s airy central lounge and revealed through many rooms’ floor-to-ceiling windows.

The hotel, which is owned and operated by the Taronga Conservation Society Australia, consists of five interconnected low-rise structures, sustainably built and designed to blend into the landscape. Inside, the look is safari-chic, with clean lines, natural hues, and materials including timber, recycled metal, and blonde sandstone. Some rooms have direct views of the zoo’s Sanctuary, a native animal habitat created only for guests’ enjoyment, while the largest suites, positioned amid the treetops, feature luxurious spa bathrooms with freestanding tubs.