Here I am finally in Sydney after more than 24 hours of a very pleasant trip on Thai. For this stay I opted for a fairly central location, knowing that I will return here for a few days at the end of my trip and that this will give me the opportunity to move to another part of the city.
So my choice was the Sheraton Grand Hyde Park for three reasons: “affordable” rates for this category of hotel, a location that seemed quite central to me and finally the fact that while many Sheraton remind us of the time when this brand was composed of standardized and insipid hotels we have always had excellent experiences at the Sheraton Grands that in some way embody the brand renewal (for example the excellent Sheraton Grand Dubai and Sheraton Grand Warsow.).
You will find at the bottom of the page the list of articles about this trip in Australia.
Booking
I made the reservation a month and a half before my trip on the Marriott website and I booked a standard room at around 200 euros per night.
The day before my arrival I will see in the app that I have been upgraded to a club room, that is to say a slightly larger room in the upper floors and with a lounge access (which is due to me anyway as a Titanium member of the loyalty program).
Very cheap upgrade (there were entry level suites available) but I’ll have to do with it.
Location of the hotel
The hotel is in the center of Sydney, right in front of Hyde Park and is therefore very well located to visit the city. It takes about 20/25 minutes by cab from the airport and once there you are within 25 minutes walking distance of all major sites.
A subway station located just across the street also provides direct access to the airport.
Arrival at the hotel and check-in
I arrive at the hotel in the middle of the evening after a not so tiring trip (traveling in the front seats helps a lot). As soon as I get out of the cab, a bellman rushes towards me, welcomes me kindly and takes care of my suitcase which will then be delivered to my room.
I had done my check-in online and, for once, I had received my electronic key on my phone without having to go through the reception for the usual formalities. As a matter of principle I will stop there anyway to test the welcome given to customers.
The lobby entrance is impressive.
The reception is very cordial and I am presented with all the services of the hotel and the benefits to which I am entitled through the loyalty program. I was going to make a remark about the stinginess of the upgrade but the receptionist was very friendly and I don’t feel like wasting my time arguing: the 24 hours of flight that just passed make me want to take a shower as soon as possible.
My nostrils recognize Sheraton’s signature scent and I find it far too present but at least here I dare to hope that it’s not to cover up food and mold smells like at Sheraton Hanoi.
In short, a perfect welcome, protocol respected, recognition of the loyalty program… apart from the slightly stingy upgrade, it’s a no-fail situation.
The room
It is located on the upper floors of the hotel and offers a beautiful view of the park. That’s one of the good things about this little upgrade.
It has an office area and a lounge area with a sofa.
The decoration is sober and of good taste and we see that the hotel must have been renovated not long ago. It seems to me that this is the reason why it changed from Sheraton to Sheraton Grand.
Moreover it is there that you see the age of the hotel: the decoration corresponds to the standards of the moment but when you see the size of the windows you realize that the hotel is of another generation. It’s the same thought I had in the lobby: if you take away the majestic staircases, you’ll find the codes of the North American hotels of the 80’s with very low ceilings that would almost make you claustrophobic. And when you renovate a hotel you can change everything but its structure.
The bathroom is large and decorated in the same taste. It has a bathtub and a shower but the toilet is not separate.
For once the mini bar will not be empty but it’s just like it was…
Not much to add. A pleasant room, excellent bedding, finally a renovation more than successful. It doesn’t make you dream but it does the job.
We end with the video visit.
Bars and restaurants
The hotel has several bars and restaurants. For my part, I will frequent the club lounge and the so-called “signature” bar.
The club lounge, aperitif service
In addition to offering all-day hot and cold beverage service as well as breakfast service, the Sheraton Grand Sydney’s club lounge offers a beautiful aperitif service.
Located at the top of the hotel the place is very beautiful and offers an excellent view.
Atmosphere and setting rather premium for a lounge.
The buffet is impressive both qualitatively and quantitatively. Sushi, salads, cheese, smoked salmon, cold cuts, goyzas, tempuras, meatballs….
The hot and cold offer is varied and of high quality. The hot dishes are changed every night.
Eligibility is checked at the entrance to the lounge and if food is self-serve, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are served at the table by the staff. The service is very friendly, fast and the staff will always call you by name.
I often say that there are two types of lounges: those that offer a basic service and are nice to have a drink and a snack before going to a restaurant and those that make you not hungry enough to go to a restaurant. This one undeniably belongs to the second category which was not to my displeasure: having trouble walking well at that time I was quite tired after visiting the city and the quality of this lounge allowed me to save a few trips to the city for dinner.
One of the best lounges I’ve seen in recent years, in line with the best Asian hotel lounges, that means a lot!
Conservatory Bar – Aperitif
The Conservatory Bar is reported to be the hotel’s signature bar. It is located on the 2nd floor, on the mezzanine above the lobby. The cocktail menu is especially emphasized.
Small disappointment at my arrival: there is no service at the bar I will have to settle in the room, which I do not like much.
You can sit on high tables or in spaces that are a little more lounge-like.
To be honest the creations are quite interesting.
I’ll have a “Picante” which will be delicious. Then a second one…
The music is initially a bit loud and not in tune with the style of the property but it will get better.
The service will be rather slow and of random quality and the place absolutely lacks personality.
In Australia bars close early (at least compared to our European habits) and the Conservatory closes at 10pm on weekdays! The cocktail service stops at 9pm, after this time there is only beer and wine.
My verdict: an interesting menu, a setting that lacks a little personality and a service that is not consistent enough.
The hotel facilities
The Sheraton Grand Sydney has a spa that I will not try. On the other hand, I will go to the pool and the gym;
Gym
Located on the top floor of the hotel, it is not really beautiful (even old-fashioned) but it is bright, large and very well equipped.
Pool
There is a very nice indoor rooftop pool.
There is a Jacuzzi on the side.
It is of good size but quickly becomes noisy as soon as there are a few people and given the size of the hotel it is quickly saturated, especially since there are only 3 deckchairs!
Very nice…as long as you choose the right hours.
Check-out
I’ll do my checkout on the Marriott mobile app and can dash off to catch my cab to the airport without wasting time at the front desk. Parfait.
Staff and service
Very professional and friendly in general, but a little dilettantism at the bar.
Bottom line
The Sheraton Grand Sydney is a good hotel but leaves me a bit disappointed when I compare it to other hotels of the brand.
The hotel has been well renovated but cannot hide the age of its structure: small windows and low ceilings are out of fashion since the late 80s.
The lounge is excellent but the service and the atmosphere at the bar can be improved (in addition to that, the opening hours are a bit complicated for us…)
The gym is good but outdated and the pool is quickly overcrowded.
In the end it’s a hotel that’s almost great in every way, but the accumulation of “almost” makes it just a good regarding its promise.
All articles related to this trip:
