It suddenly felt like the year was racing away and life was back to its hectic best (or worst?). It was time for a circuit breaker. But stuck between the need to feel new again and the lack of time to venture afar, it became clear a little staycay close to home would be the best bet. And look, if one must compromise, one must seek pleasure in the small things. Our favourite small thing comes in the shape of five stars. A luxe stay in the city was just what the doctor ordered. And by doctor we mean this DA writer.
The Swissotel lobby is cavernous yet calming, as if to help you forget about the hustle of Market Street eight floors below. After an easy breezy check in, we hot-footed (lifted) straight up to check out our suite on the 25th floor, the highest level in the hotel. The rooms are dressed as smartly as the designer suiting department at David Jones (just a 30 second stroll from ground floor), luxe but not overly opulent, the kind of decadent you want without the frou-frou you don’t need.
When you’re in the heart of the city it’s true you have the culinary best at your doorstep, but we chose to stay in and try out the hotel restaurant Ten Stories. We made our way through the Group Share menu to check out as many of the dishes as possible without having to make any tough menu decisions (hello brain break staycay!). It’s a feast for two people – we could easily have fed the couple next to us and not gone hungry. Featuring locally sourced and sustainable produce, some dishes spotlight a surprise ingredient – the honey sourced from the hotel’s rooftop beehives. Marinated kingfish and wagyu bresaola both cleverly starred the liquid gold and got our tick of approval.
The unanimous highlight was the Paperbark Roast Chicken – beautifully prepared, with a lovely touch of sweetness to the smokey meat, paired back with clean greens and a cleaner salsa verde to cut through tender roast. There’s also a pre-theatre menu that looks like a smaller version of our set menu and even better value, which is perfect for the Swissotel’s location across the road from the State Theatre and strolling distance to many more.
After dinner drinks were a must, even if we didn’t venture out, and sitting down to a nightcap in our suite, gawking at the Sydney Tower from a vantage point so close we could see the detail in the iconic cables helping hold it up (down?), was a simple pleasure. An amazing vista even for a lifelong Sydney sider.
Back at Ten Stories for breakfast, it was classic buffet style but dishes like the resident bees’ truffle honey dabbed on a freshly made fluffy pancake take things up a notch. A hideously rainy weekend didn’t hinder us at all, in fact it made our stay even cosier, as if an extra reason to escape the monotony of home and a moment to not think about our leaking roof. With just an umbrella we easily enjoyed our city on foot, with most of the main shopping, gallery and museum spots accessible via tunnels, covered walkways and regular light rail trams. Oh and those clever Swissotel bees just keep on giving! On return to the hotel we stopped by Crossroads (The classic lobby bar). We tried the Honey Gold cocktail, a delectable mix of Archie Rose Swissotel signature gin and 24 carat honey. A sweet way to end our stay.
Had we forgotten how much fun we can have rediscovering our own city? No, but we’d probably not done it in a long time. We really (REALLY) recommend reconnecting with Sydney rain or shine, and treating yourself to a stay at the Swissotel (let’s keep those bees buzzing!).
Jen was invited by ALL-Accor Live Limitless to enjoy Swissotel Sydney
Swissotel Sydney
68 Market Street, Sydney
https://swissotelsydney.com.au/
