Why book?
For stellar views of the Sydney Harbour and Sydney Opera House, along with easy access to all the attractions a first-time visitor would want to see.
Set the scene
The location is key here, especially if it's your first visit to Sydney, as it was mine. Located in The Rocks just next to Circular Quay, it's a great spot for both business and leisure travelers, and you'll find a split mix of the two, as at many of the luxury hotel brand's properties. At this particular property, American, Australian, British, and South Korean travelers make up the bulk of the clientele.
The backstory
Originally opened as The Regent, Four Seasons started managing the property in 1992, and then rebranded it as the Four Seasons Sydney in 2002. It's gone through several refurbishments since then; most recently in 2019, when the hotel and meeting spaces received a multi-million dollar renovation. Two years before that, the lobby restaurant underwent a major renovation and Mode Kitchen & Bar opened.
The rooms
I stayed in two rooms while visiting, which allowed me to see both view options: the Sydney Harbour and George Street. The former is certainly more iconic—there's nothing like gazing out at the two structures Sydney is most known for while taking an afternoon breather or eating breakfast in bed. However, the George Street views are still lovely, and allow for more people watching.
You'll find large windows throughout all the rooms, letting in tons of light. The contemporary color palette is largely neutral, muted tones—whites, tans, browns—with some pops of navy blue. Four Seasons loyalists will recognize the custom-designed Signature Four Seasons Beds, multiple mattress topper options, 300-thread-count linen, and bevy of pillow choices. You'll also find yoga mats, umbrellas, and luggage racks in the closet, full-size toiletries in the bathroom, and of course, plush robes and slippers. Spacious Italian marble and limestone-decorated bathrooms feature a separate shower and tub, and the organic Australian Appelles and Codage products up the luxe factor.
Food and drink
In a city like Sydney, your food options are nearly endless. However, if time-zone hopping hits hard and you find yourself wanting a meal in, you've got a few nice options. The main restaurant, Mode Kitchen & Bar, offers a breakfast buffet as well as lunch and dinner menus with modern Australian dishes, local craft beers, and a vast wine selection on offer. If you do grab dinner, be sure to save room for dessert—the Carousel was a delight, with its cotton candy and white chocolate structure replicating a merry-go-round.
Also in the main lobby, On the Go café has some nice options for those working from the hotel or in a rush to the next activity (chicken katsu sandos, breakfast wraps, yogurt parfaits). Grain Bar is definitely worth a visit for its creative cocktails.
For families, or those who plan to eat at least a few meals at the hotel, booking a Club Room, Club Suite, or Signature Suite, which grants access to Lounge 32, is absolutely worth your while. You can enjoy a less-busy breakfast buffet, and come back for aperitivo hour, where a plate or two of dumplings, pork belly, tuna tartare, charcuterie, pastries, crudités, and more can easily become dinner. There is ample seating inside and an open bar.
The neighborhood/area
Located in The Rocks, a historic, cobblestone-streaked neighborhood adjacent to the ferry-filled Circular Quay, you're well-positioned for seeing all the sights—you can walk to many major tourist attractions nearby (the Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb, Sydney Tower, Luna Park, Sydney Opera House) or hop on a ferry to Taronga Zoo, Manly Beach, Darling Harbour, and Watson’s Bay.
The service
The concierge team is ready and willing to meet your needs and make your stay as enjoyable as possible, whether that means arranging couple- and family-friendly activities like picnics at The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney or curated trips to SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, or making sure your bed is made up to precisely your liking.
For families
As with all Four Seasons properties, kids are more than welcome, and well looked after. Families booking in can expect child-size bathrobes and plush koala toys in their room, with full-size tents and activity kits available, too. The hotel's location and size are particularly well-suited to family travel. Also of note: the outdoor swimming pool and kid-friendly menus featuring koala-shaped eggs and make-it-yourself pavlova.
Eco effort
Four Seasons Sydney's sustainably-minded initiatives include third-day replacement of linens and towels (unless otherwise requested), energy-saving guest room controls, water-efficient landscaping, and the elimination of single-use plastic water bottles, bathroom amenities, and food and beverage containers.
Accessibility
Four types of accessible rooms are available to book: a Deluxe Full Harbour, Deluxe City, or Superior City, each with 280 square feet of space, and the Premier Full Harbour Club, with 570 square feet.
199 George St., Sydney 2000
Australia
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