The Park Hyatt, Sydney

For the past 21 years, the Park Hyatt Sydney has been regarded as one of the best hotels in Australia for a romantic getaway and after a major renovation in 2012, every aspect of this iconic property has been transformed. Closed for most of 2011 for the refurbishment, the Park Hyatt Sydney retains its premier location in Circular Quay in the shadow of the Sydney Harbour Bridge with the city skyline and the Opera House as the impressive backdrop.

The Rooms

The Park Hyatt’s 155 rooms and suites are separated among 12 different categories depending on size, layout and the views but all of them now have been redecorated in a modern contemporary design which is more “city-chic apartment” than standard hotel room. The new interiors are warm and soft with new furnishings and carpets featuring rich chocolate colours, blended with creams and beige coloured touches. Even the smallest room is a spacious 40 square metres, while the grand Sydney Suite on the fourth floor at 350 square metres with an outdoor terrace overlooking the Harbour Bridge and Opera House can quite legitimately lay claim to being the most opulent hotel room in Australia. We were in an Opera Deluxe suite at 75 square metres and this was typical of the indoor-outdoor style and design of the suites. Floor to ceiling windows opened out onto two separate balconies with views over the Opera House and city skyline and the bathroom opened up to take in the views as well, or could be closed in to ensure privacy.

Dining

There are three main dining venues, each of them designed in the same modern contemporary theme as the rest of the hotel. The Living Room has become something of a hub for the Park Hyatt and is a luxurious but casual venue with outstanding views. This is where you can get breakfast, have casual meals throughout the day or indulge in a bit of afternoon tea between 2.30pm and 5pm. The Bar is a more intimate venue which serves drinks and light meals and snacks from 5pm while the hotel’s signature restaurant is simply called The Dining Room. With its floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the harbour and the Opera House, it’s the perfect venue to experience the fresh produce of the Australian-inspired menu.

Other Facilities

The hotel features a rooftop heated pool with private cabanas, and fabulous views of course, a state of the art fitness centre and The Spa at Park Hyatt Sydney. (Take a look at our spa review on The Spa.) Throughout the hotel, art works created by Australian artists adorn public areas, and the rooms themselves as well, and there’s an interesting collection of paintings, photographs and sculptures from renowned artists like painter Tim Johnson, sculptors Bruce Armstrong and Robert Bridgewater and photographer Robert Billington.

The Verdict

The renovation took something like 11 months and the end result is well worth the wait. This is the quintessential Sydney romantic getaway experience - fantastic views, modern and vibrant accommodations which capture and complement the beauty of the harbour city.