Ever since Sashank spent a few months in the Four Seasons in Cairo, I've been curious about this chain of hotels. Most consultants would choose to stay in one of the Starwoods hotels or other points-earning chains, but Sashank stayed in the Four Seasons. When I asked him why he didn't consider switching hotels, he said "But it's the Four Seasons!" as if it was self-explanatory. I've always wanted to see just what the big deal is about, so I was very excited when I recently had the opportunity to stay in one when I was in Sydney for a project.
The
Four Seasons brand of hotels is synonymous with luxury and the establishment in
Sydney is no different. Located on the edge of Circular Quay, the hotel enjoys stunning views of the iconic
Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House. It is also conveniently located steps from the historic Rocks area, as well as the major attractions in the Sydney Central Business District (CBD). Unfortunately for me, all I did while staying there was walk between the hotel and my office. No sight seeing on that trip! At least the hotel was only a five-minute walk away from my office.
The front doors open to reveal a marbled foyer, where friendly staff offered cheerful greetings and efficient service. A piano tinkled in the background as I checked in, and I was pleasantly surprised when I was informed that the hotel was offering AUD 100 vouchers to every guest, which could be used to cover bar tabs, internet charges or any other incidentals.
At 531 rooms, the hotel is large, but my room was a short walk from the elevators, and nothing like the long trek I had to make at the Sheraton on the Park. My room, while small, was very well appointed, and offered a gorgeous view of the harbour. The king-sized bed dominated the room and was so invitingly comfortable that I was tempted to laze in bed all day, especially with the large, flat-screen TV so conveniently located just across the bed. The bathroom was finished in marble, and had a separate bathtub and shower stall. Best of all, the hotel offered a full range of L’Occitane en Provence toiletries, which were a joy to use. Unlike the inferior offerings at other hotels, the toiletries at the Four Seasons definitely found its way into my bag at the end of my stay! My only gripe was that the room was not equipped with slippers, which meant that I had to tiptoe my way into the marble-floored bathroom in the mornings as it was a bit too chilly for my taste.
As I was on a project, I didn’t have much time to enjoy the amenities of the hotel, but I did manage to make it to the bar to take full advantage of my AUD 100 voucher. The unimaginatively-named Bar is located on the ground floor, and is perfectly placed for guests to relax to the quiet sounds of the piano. You’ll find many businessmen in suits lounging there on weekend nights, so I didn't look out of place at all.
Having stayed in the Four Seasons, I now understand where Sash is coming from. However, I still think I would go for a Starwoods or Hyatt hotel, just for the points!
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