Park Hyatt
- Location: Sydney – Australia
- Loyalty Program: Hyatt Gold Passport
- Room Type: Opera View Room
Intro
We were sad to be leaving the tropical beauty of Queensland but at the same time, super excited to be heading to the Sydney to stay at the Park Hyatt! The PH Sydney is spoken about with an almost unanimous flow of praise and adulation; we were really hoping it was well deserved.
After a quick and easy ride on the airport train, we arrived at the absurdly picturesque Circular Quay Station.
The PH Sydney is a brief walk along the waterfront, with amazing views of the harbour.
…which of course includes…
The Sydney Opera House.
That building under the Harbour Bridge? the Park Hyatt.
Park Hyatt Sydney
We came in via the waterside entrance, which opens into ‘The Living Room’. A bar and restaurant filled with the clean lines, complimenting neutral colours and fantastic artwork which are hallmarks of this hotel.
The Living Room
The Bar
The Bar
We had a fantastic welcome at reception. My Diamond status was immediately recognised and we were told that check-in would be completed in the room.
The man at reception let me know that my request for an Opera House view had been granted. I briefly mentioned that we had recently stayed at the PH Melbourne and that already, based on our initial impression, the PH Sydney was leagues ahead.
He flashed a smiled, looked around in a conspiratorial fashion and leant forward. In a hushed voice he said, “Sir, I stayed there recently and decided to cut my stay short, it was that bad”, I told him we’d considered doing the same. “Don’t worry Mr Jermyn, we will show you how good a real Park Hyatt is”.
Now, you may find that unprofessional. However he pitched it just the right way. He had immediately put us at ease and made us look forward to our stay all the more.
A young lady was waiting to show us to our room, taking care to point out the features of the hotel as we walked. We were introduced to the concierge desk, which at this hotel was very helpful, making lunch and dinner reservations without any problems (and always getting us really good tables) as well as reserving a table for us at the Bar in the Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong before we checked out, on the last morning.
The Hallways were as impeccably lit and decorated as the lobby and bar areas.
With every step our anticipation built, until finally our hostess opened the door and let us into the room.
Opera View Room
Living Room/Bedroom
We were initially blinded by the bright daylight but quickly ran over to the window to check out the view.
Phenomenal. Outrageous. Peerless.
I mean just look at the room location on the hotel map.
Short of the suites in the top right of the map, you couldn’t hope for a better direct view of the Opera House.
Note: we returned to this hotel years later and stayed in one of the Opera Deluxe rooms in the top right, click here to read that review!
Our hostess told us that we had a smaller room because I’d reserved for 1 adult (why is this the default on the Hyatt website?) but she hoped the view made up for it. I think she could tell from our ear to ear grins, that it did!
The room was exquisitely furnished.
Bathroom
Having a bath facing the Sydney Opera house, lit up at night, is one of my best hotel memories ever.
There was a private, small toilet in addition to the main bathroom.
Mini Bar & Storage
Our welcome note and Diamond amenity
I loved little touches like the thick, varnished, wooden hangers and in closet lighting.
Ultra-fancy minibar
Not strictly necessary in a coffee mecca like Australia, nice for enjoying a coffee on the balcony though.
I think about this moment every day.
The views at night were, if anything even more awe-inspiring.
The Gym
After spending the first night just hanging out in the room (enjoying highlights such as brushing our teeth whilst watching the Opera House), I headed to the gym whilst K caught up on some beauty sleep.
The gym is small but very clean with well maintained equipment.
For some reason, it is expected that guests in luxury hotels do not like to lift weights, but I was able to make do with the machines.
Do those things on the top left even count as weights?
The changing room was pretty small but most guests appeared to just be heading down to the gym in their workout clothes anyway.
Breakfast
What better way to recuperate after the morning workout than the buffet breakfast at “The Dining Room”?
The restaurant is flooded in light in the morning, with a wonderful view of the Opera House and the boats drifting by.
The service was very attentive, without being over the top. Once we had ordered our drinks the first morning, the staff would ask us if we wanted a macchiato or an earl grey, rather than just asking if we wanted anything to drink.
The linens cutlery and crockery were very high quality. I love it when the atmosphere in a restaurant is punctuated by that unique sound of silver against china.
How great is the little clip-on linen cloth on the teapot?
Pretzel bread? LH F, watch your back!
As Diamond members, we were entitled to anything from the a la carte menu, in addition to the extensive buffet.
To be honest, most of the savoury options could be had from the buffet but that didn’t stop me ordering an omelette after spotting one on another diner’s table.
They say the test of a truly great chef is his omelette. The chefs at PH Sydney are clearly on top of their game!
My favourite part of breakfast 
Pool
Despite staying here in the Autumn, we wanted to take advantage of the opportunity to sit in a hot tub with the Harbour Bridge behind us and the Opera House in front.
The bridge cast a pretty big shadow for most of the afternoon.
The view from the hot tub.
Periodically though, the sun would shine through the gaps in the bridge, which a flock of swallows particularly enjoyed:
Whenever I’m stressed at work, I think about this picture.
Conclusion
The Park Hyatt Sydney isn’t cheap. Even when using 10% discount codes on gift certificates, this hotel isn’t even on nodding terms with cheap.
However the Park Hyatt Sydney is worth every penny.
The staff are aware of the fact that they have a hell of a reputation to live up, due in no small part to the hotel’s location. They deal with this pressure with charm, competence and a true sense of what hospitality means.
If you can, make sure you come here at least once in your life. If your budget won’t permit a stay then consider going for breakfast, just to take in the fantastic view (and those omelettes!).
You won’t be disappointed.
Park Hyatt Sydney. Believe the hype.
Bonus content: Around Sydney
Of course, the hotel wouldn’t be as special were it not for the amazing location. Sydney is probably the city I’d most like to live in. Here are some highlights:
Darling Harbour
There is a fantastic Brazilian BBQ place – Braza, right by the amazingly named “Chinese Garden of Friendship”.
The view from our table was almost as good as the one from our hotel room.
The entrance to an upmarket apartment block in the CBD.
Manly
Moreton Bay Bugs – at Garfish restaurant
Manly Beach
Shelly Beach
The Royal Botanical Gardens
- Part 1:
- Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse – London Heathrow Airport
- Part 2:
- Virgin Atlantic: Upper Class – London to Tokyo
- Part 3:
- Park Hyatt Tokyo
- Part 4:
- ANA Crowne Plaza Kyoto
- Part 5:
- JAL Business Lounge – Narita Airport
- Part 6:
- Qantas Business Lounge – Narita Airport
- Part 7:
- Qantas: Business Class – Tokyo to Sydney
- Part 8:
- Qantas: Business Class – Sydney to Melbourne
- Part 9:
- Park Hyatt Melbourne
- Part 10:
- Hilton Cairns
- Part 11:
- Windjana Villa, Mission beach
- Part 12:
- Park Hyatt Sydney
- Part 13:
- Qantas Business Lounge – Sydney Airport
- Part 14:
- Cathay Pacific: Business Class – Sydney to Hong Kong
- Part 15:
- Cathay Pacific The Arrival Lounge – Hong Kong Airport
- Part 16:
- Novotel Century Hong Kong
- Part 17:
- Cathay Pacific The Wing: First Class – Hong Kong Airport
- Part 18:
- Cathay Pacific The Wing: Business Class – Hong Kong Airport
- Part 19:
- Qantas Combined F and J Lounge – Hong Kong Airport
- Part 20:
- Cathay Pacific: First Class – Hong Kong to Tokyo
- Part 21:
- Conrad Tokyo
- Part 22:
- Tokyo sights
- Part 23:
- Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse – Tokyo Narita Airport
- Part 24:
- Virgin Atlantic: Upper Class – Tokyo to London
