AustralianGourmetTraveller-June2018

PARK HYATT SYDNEY

Sparkling and abuzz with ferries

and cruise ships, Sydney Harbour

unfurls in front of the Park Hyatt like

its own private playground. Each of

the 155 guestrooms, the restaurant

and even the rooftop hot tub capture

views of the waterfront. Inside, the

décor is modern and muted, a smart

backdrop for Australian artworks.

Comfort and elegance are the

focus in guestrooms, with spacious

marble bathrooms andbalconies with

oversized sunloungers. Dining options

keep things local with Sydney rock

oysters and kangaroo tartare among

the oferings at The Dining Room.

In a city besotted by property

value and location, this is a most

spectacular address.7 Hickson

Rd, The Rocks, (02) 9256 1234,

sydney.park.hyatt.com

PARAMOUNT HOUSE HOTEL

It takes a village to make a great hotel. Paramount House Hotel is a handsome

conversion of a former film-storage warehouse, its 29 rooms and lofts bearing

a relaxed, lived-in style that favours comfort over design statements. High

ceilings and old brickwork are teamed with terrazzo tiles, exposed copper

plumbing and potted plants, and the work of Australian makers – from

bathrobes to bathtubs – enhances the sense of place. Yet the hotel’s unique

appeal lies mainly in the strength of Paramount House’s creative community

and immediate neighbourhood: the seriously good cofee and sunny vibe of

Paramount Cofee Project, which fronts the lobby; the art-house Golden Age

Cinema and Bar; a cool co-working space; and a new rooftop health club

and kiosk. A case study in the whole being greater than the sum of its parts.

80 Commonwealth St, Surry Hills, (02) 9211 1222, paramounthousehotel.com

Staf notify guests by text

message the moment their

room is ready (often before the oicial

check-in time of 3pm) so the stay can

begin without delay.

Start the day with a jog or

brisk walk to the Royal Botanic

Garden; end it with a well-timed

drink at the Opera Bar watching the

sun set behind the Harbour Bridge.

While there’s a little hustling

for seats with views among

guests, the truth is there isn’t a bad

spot for breakfast in The Dining Room.

Choose from a well-curated bufet

or order from an à la carte menu that

runs from avocado toast to eggs

Benedict with smoked salmon.

The Park Hyatt’s bar is far

from the best place for a drink,

hidden as it is in a rare windowless

corner of the hotel. Instead, find a spot

in the adjacent waterfront Living

Room. Or head to the rooftop pool,

grab a table or cabana and have

staf mix a perfectly tart Gin Sour

to go with that scenery.

So much to love: the rare luxury

of a semi-enclosed terrace full of

potted plants; the comfort of pure linen

bedding; a handwritten welcome note;

a gem of a cinema downstairs.

Check-in has never been so

much fun. Staf pour a drink

on arrival, perhaps a locally brewed

Wildflower sour ale, from a trio of

copper taps at the desk – a gesture

so hospitable you wonder why it’s

not done more often.

Start the day with excellent

cofee at PCP and a breakfast-

brunch menu served until 3pm. Keep

it light with avocado, fermented salsa

and cashew butter on sourdough, or

more substantial with fried chicken

waes and maple bacon gravy. Stand

by for Poly, a restaurant and bar by

the Ester team, due to open soon.

Order your Negroni and

Sichuan-salted popcorn at

the Golden Age bar, and take them

into the next screening at the Art

Deco cinema. Or raid the excellent

minibar – natural wines, locally

brewed beers, LP’s cured meats –

and make a picnic on your terrace.

WHERETheRocks, near Circular Quay.COSTFrom $990, with breakfast.AT A GLANCE155 rooms and suites, adjoining

rooms; bar, restaurants, rooftop pool, day spa, gym, steam room, paid valet parking.IN ROOMFree WiFi, Bose sound

system, bath, some balconies, cofee machine, pillow menu, Le Labo toiletries.BEST ROOMThe Sydney Suite is a

385-square-metre haven with all the trimmings: fireplace, indoor and outdoor dining and a show-stopping view.

WHERESurry Hills.

COSTFrom $240,

without breakfast.AT A

GLANCE29 rooms, lofts

and suites, adjoining

rooms; bars, restaurant,

cafés, rooftop health

club, shared oice

space.IN ROOMFree

WiFi, iPad, smart

TV, some baths and

terraces, Aesop

toiletries.BEST ROOMS

The biggest suites are

the Mack Daddies:

lounge, bedroom,

terrace and bathroom,

with the comforts of a

Jardan sofa, Pakistani

kilim rugs, Cultiver linen

bedding, and a deep

timber tub for soaking

and thinking.

Rooftop pool.

Sunny room.

GOURMET TRAVELLER 161

PHOTOGRAPHY SHARYN CAIRNS (PARAMOUNT HOUSE HOTEL) & NICOLE ENGLAND (OVOLO WOOLLOOMOOLOO)