Sussing out a stylish boutique hotel in Sydney can be a nightmare, with a bewildering array of faceless chain brands and daggy backpacker joints to choose from. To make the most of your visit to NSW’s ridiculously good-looking capital, it’s vital to have some canny Sydney hotel addresses stashed away in your little black book. Luckily, Mr & Mrs Smith boutique hotel collection has one of its favourites to share...

You can judge a hot hotel by first impressions, and the Diamant Hotel Sydney gives good lobby. Brilliantly located between boho Darlinghurst and bar-packed Kings Cross, it’s a natural crossroads for an up-for-it crowd. Snappy-suited business types in the week give way to beautiful gay boys come the weekend, with a regular party crew of glam guys and gals gearing up to go out at night. It’s the kind of place where you’ll feel a tap on your shoulder as you’re chilling on the lobby’s clubby white leather loungers, and it’ll be that gorgeous PR pal from London you didn’t realise was sashaying through town.

Once upstairs, though, this sleek 77-room Sydney skyrise is reassuringly chic. Spacious bedrooms work a clean-lined unisex look, with generous beds backed with oversize headboards, inviting black leather armchairs and sharply tailored desks, as well as massive flatscreen TVs. The crisp black-and-white palette is given added pop with graphic artworks, glass surfaces and sexy bathrooms.

With prices starting as low as AU$150 a night, the Diamant falls into Smith’s budget boutique collection, with top tips including the gorgeous Courtyard Rooms and Suites, which boast outdoor lounging areas with seductive city skyline views.

Kick off your evening sipping something cold and sparkling at the hotel’s new ground-floor wine bar Time To Vino before heading out to play. The next morning saunter to laid-back Darlinghurst and treat yourself to ricotta hotcakes for breakfast at Bills (www.bills.com.au; 433 Liverpool Street) or a latte with a spot of people-watching at pavement favourite Bar Coluzzi (322 Victoria Street). Even if you haven’t taken advantage of the Diamant’s free Fitness First gym pass, don your trainers to fit in with Sydney’s body-beautiful crowd.  Alternatively, accessorising with a small dog with do nicely...

To book boutique hotels in Sydney call the savvy Smith Travel Team on 1300 896627 or visit www.mrandmrsmith.com