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Sydney’s Sheraton on the Park has a classic shimmer that’s apparent the moment you first step in the lobby. Elegant, but not snobby, it’s managed to find just the right balance between upscale and comfortable, making it a great home away from home when visiting Sydney and its many famous sites.
With 558 guestrooms and suites, the high-rise hotel delivers everything you’d expect from the Sheraton brand and more. Located on the 19th floor, my Grand Executive Suite came with a spacious living room area complete with a sectional sofa that easily seats five, coffee table, television, and oversized desk with two chairs. Along with a small refrigerator, there was a coffee machine, and electric tea kettle. Large windows running almost the entire horizontal length of the wall offered commanding views of Hyde Park, Sydney Harbour, and St. Mary’s Cathedral. In addition, the natural light that flooded in gave the room an airy feel.
A comfy chaise sitting next to the king bed offered a nice spot to sit and take in more views provided by additional bedroom windows. The leather head board does double duty, serving as a design element, and home to appreciated conveniences including easy to use light switches, USB ports and electrical plugs.
The bathroom is accessed through a large dressing area off of the bedroom. Along with a closet, there’s a built-in luggage dresser. Along with a number of drawers for folded clothing below, the top offered plenty of room to place two open suitcases. (It could be one of the most useful pieces of hotel furniture I’ve come across in years.) The well-lit black and white marble bathroom had one sink, but the vanity was large enough for two. In addition to a walk-in shower, there was a tub.
A set of doors allowed the bedroom to be closed off from the living area, making the spaces easily shared by a couple with differing sleep schedules. Providing privacy and quiet, those who head to bed early are able to sleep. Early birds, on the other hand, don’t have to tip toe around, afraid of waking up their companion.
The hotel sports a well-equipped fitness center, but if you have time to work out while you’re in Sydney, swimming in the rooftop pool comes with the type of city views that will inspire you to take on additional laps.
All guests staying on the Sheraton’s Club Floors have access to the Club Lounge. Breakfast is served daily from 6:30am to 10:30am. Along with a generous “Continental plus” buffet including items like pancakes, Eggs Benedict, fresh fruit, pastries, and yogurt, wait staff circulate continuously delivering coffee, tea and juice. Throughout the day, an assortment of snacks and soft drinks area available. From 5pm to 7:30pm, pre-dinner drinks and a selection of canapes the likes of oysters on the half shell, sushi, and cocktail shrimp are served. (Children under the age of 12 are welcome in the Sheraton Club Lounge from 7:00am to 5:00pm daily, but are not permitted after 5:00pm.)
Sheraton on the Park’s restaurant, Feast, serves buffet style meals at breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The Full Buffet Breakfast costs $34 per person but is worth the splurge at least once during your stay. (Guests staying on the Sheraton’s Club Floors pay just $15.) Options range from noodle bowls to made-to-order omelets, a handful of granola combinations, ice cream, and gelato. There’s even a mortar and pestle for diners to make their own guacamole.
Hyde Park, St. Mary’s Cathedral, and an assortment of upscale shops are mere steps from the hotel, but it’s the property’s proximity to many of Sydney’s biggest attractions that are most likely to impress guests. The Royal Botanical Gardens, Sydney Opera House, and Sydney Harbour Bridge are all within a 20-minute or less walk. The popular bus to Bondi Beach stops across the street from the Sheraton on the Park. For when it’s time to head home, depending on traffic, you could be at the airport in as little as 20 minutes.
Rates for Grand Executive Suites range from $499 to $684 per night. Make your reservations at the hotel website or through Travelocity.
Review and photos by Dana Rebmann. Her stay was hosted by Sheraton on the Park, Sydney, but as always her thoughts and opinions are her own.
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