If you haven’t had a Sydney staycation, make it a 2019 New Years resolution. It’s like tasting Gelato Messina – once you’ve tried it, there’s no going back. Simply because you are worth it.
Four Points Central Park was Sydney’s only new build international hotel last year. Situated a few skips down from Central station, Chippendale is likely to be an area you Ubered ‘in’ and ‘out’ of or haven’t fully discovered. A bit like Melbourne, you just need to ‘get lost’ in its laneways and galleries.
We had a chance to check out not only one of the corner suites, but to peak inside the Presidential suite – one of Sydney’s most reasonably priced top floor suites! With a welcome glass of Prosecco in one hand, we’re whisked up to floor 18, to the end of the hallway, where the Presidential Bellerive Suite, room number 1804, awaits.
Most hotel rooms are a bit soulless, yet Bellerive, (their epic 1 bedroom presidential suite) feels more like a home with perks of room service and city skyline views! It’s a gorgeous suite with a sparkling DNA-like chandelier illuminating a six seater glass table just begging for a group of your girlfriends and a bottle of champagne. The lounge area has designer chairs, along with 2 luxurious cream sofas (that cunningly turn into sofa beds), so there’s more than enough room for a fun sleepover or girls celebration. Whoever nabs the king size bed is in for a treat – slide back mirrored doors to the bedroom suite of our dreams. The spa tub needs at least 45 mins to fill up, giving you a chance to peruse the artfully arranged coffee table books end to end. The entire suite’s creams, soft greys and warm wood colour palette are also just down right dreamy.
If your budget doesn’t stretch to the Presidential Suite (we will say, the approx $1k price tag is pretty reasonable compared to other luxe options around town), don’t worry, the hotel’s other rooms have the same dreamy palette. The entry level Superior rooms and the Premium rooms both have twin queen bed options if you want to have a mini break in the city with your bestie.
If you can tear yourself away from your room, the hotel boldly brings the outside in, rather than cocooning you from it, with one side of the hotel opening up into the streets and ‘village’ of Chippendale. Doors are pulled back alfredo, armchairs out for a lounge under the stars.
Mellow out even more at ‘Malt Bar’, where you can sample a rare Sydney Brewery ‘Chippend-ALE’. The brew is a salute to the heritage listed Kent Brewery chimney that towers above just metres from the entrance and this year celebrates 200 years of history. The cocktail list is just as tempting.
Would we like a some oysters? A seafood platter of tempura prawns, smoked salmon and pepper mackerel? Don’t mind if we do! Whether you are staying at the hotel or looking for a intimate place to crack open a bottle of wine, dip down the alleyway to this hidden bar.
If you haven’t discovered the narrow lanes that are Kensington street, the hawker food areas of Spice Alley, wine tasting rooms, White Rabbit galleries or shopping at Central Park, then Chippendale is putting on an artful show you’ve been missing. A wander down to Brickfields Bakery means we you can take home a stash of freshly baked sourdough. If chilling is more your thing, our guilty pleasure is Palace Central Sydney – newly renovated having taken over the top floor of Central Park. Head to the Prosecco Bar where you can enjoy sweeping garden views. Platinum provides the full VIP experience, simply add a bit of Freddie Mercury Bohemian Rhapsody and you have the perfect afternoon.
A wander back means it’s perfect timing for dinner at Central Quarter. The open plan dining room has a series of banquets towards the back almost resembling church pews. Huge glass windows allow for indulgent people watching. Starters of poached scallops and pork belly make a surf ‘turf duo but don’t miss the fabulous seafood chowder served with juicy scallops and half shell mussels. Mains of bourbon BBQ ribs and spatchcock will see you replace forks for more perfect eating instruments – hands! Finish with a pannacotta served in a glass with a ruby red layer of rhubarb you won’t want to share!
The best things about staycations are that at the end of a day of adventure, wining and dining, there’s no fight for a taxi or a long journey home. It’s simply the touch of the button and you’re headed to no noisy neighbours, no humming aircon, just glorious 1000 count bed linen, peace, quiet and mmmm what’s for breakfast?
Four Points by Sheraton, Central Park,
88 Broadway, Hotel
Entrance via 4 Central Park Avenue, Chippendale
https://www.marriott.com/hotels/hotel-rooms/sydcf-four-points-sydney-central-park/
