This past year the bright lights of New York have never felt further away. With every lockdown and border opening delay, the days when we’d jet set to the Big Apple and bask in the glow of hot new restaurants, fabulously luxe hotels and new season runway looks feels more and more like a distant memory. And then, to add salt to injury, Sarah Jessica Parker burst back onto Binge and reminded us of all that we were missing.
As luck would have it, I felt like a miracle occurred, and I found a piece of New York city hiding high above the streets of Sydney CBD, and all was right in my world.
The Pullman Sydney Hyde Park perches on College Street, as the name suggests, right across the road from Hyde Park and just around the corner from Oxford Street. It’s a spot that gives me major Hyde Park Corner vibes – one of London’s most exclusive addresses.
But back to New York. We’re here because of a makeover. Cue the classic New York movie makeover montage! This time, it’s the hotel’s The Park Suite that’s gone through the works. Interior design heavyweights Coco Republic have waved their magic wands and styled the suite into a chic, elegant spot that is the stuff my New York life swap dreams are made of.
Perched on the 20th floor, just as the name suggests, The Park Suite looks straight out over Hyde Park to the city and down to the harbour. It’s a knockout view that now has a knockout interior to match. Renamed Park Suite by Coco Republic, it’s a study in luxe, elegant chic that still feels cosy enough that you can curl up on the sofa with ease.
Through the big double doors, competing with the view is a chandelier I’d like to pack up and take home. Like tiered translucent petals, it’s perched over a circular dining table that doubles as a desk during my stay. My office views have never been so spectacular. With dining area, living space, kitchen, bedroom and a big decadent bathroom (full size tub included), there’s plenty of room to get comfortable. The colour palette is all soft greys, with pops of mustard yellow and plenty of gold finishes. My other half is quite taken with a brass lobster that sits by the TV and is a spectacular piece of styling that’s fabulous enough to add personality without being too quirky.
I’m completely enamoured by a grey sofa that’s the perfect window seat to look down across Hyde Park. Curled up on the sofa, glass of wine on the window sill, Hyde Park stretches out below me looking lush in a sunset glow. It’s easy to pretend I’m looking down on Central Park instead and I am here for it.
It’s all about the views tonight so we’re happy to settle in for the evening. The room service menu is our happy place at the best of times and today it certainly delivers when dishes arrive under a silver cloche, unveiled with a flourish. A classic hotel burger and a generous serve of French fries really hit the spot, especially washed down with a Western Australian red that comes as part of the stocked minibar that’s included when staying in the suite. Also included are goodies like Lindt chocolates which get devoured not too long after the burger.
With a movie playing, a glass of wine in hand, and a hotel robe on, there’s no place I’d rather call home for night.
In the morning, it’s another miracle – the sun is out – so we hit the rooftop pool to soak up the rare sight of sunshine and some more serious New York rooftop vibes. Rooftop, where have you been hiding all my Sydney life?
The Park Suite by Coco Republic
https://www.pullmansydneyhydepark.com.au/
