During a time when the luxury hospitality industry is flooded with new boutique entrants aiming to impress with slick design while cutting corners with low-touch service models, the Four Seasons Sydney offers a breath of fresh air by embracing traditional values.
Travelling in the age of Instagram has resulted in the proliferation of beautiful boutique hotels that have invested in zeitgeisty interior design—and often a hashtag worthy pool—that translates well in photographs, yet lack the ability to provide an experience that matches their appearance. To be fair, the hospitality industry as a whole is struggling at the moment, with staff who provide good service few and far between — and after a visit to the Four Seasons Sydney, I imagine this is because they’re hoarding them all here.
First opened in 1992 and most recently refreshed in 2019, the Four Seasons Sydney is basically part of the fabric of the city. Built a decade prior, the Michael Dysart-designed concrete skyscraper stands tall within the historic precinct of The Rocks, with the Four Seasons Sydney one of less than a handful of luxury hotels in Sydney to provide unobstructed views of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House.
Related: The 12 Best Luxury Hotels In Sydney
From the moment we set foot in the lobby—actually, from the moment our car set tyre on the porte cochère—everyone from the valet to the front desk staff were welcoming and attentive without being overbearing. Check-in was the only time we were asked our names, with the entirety of the hotel staff remembering and addressing us by name thereafter.
Having honed in their guest experience delivery for well over two decades now, everything at the Four Seasons Sydney is easy. Expect perceptive yet unobtrusive service from the lobby to the hotel’s Executive Club Lounge 32, while the twice-daily turndown service takes place as if by magic, with the cleaning staff akin to santa’s elves: never seen, but always felt in the refreshed and tidied-up space.
In fact, the most difficult decision you’ll have to make is whether you wish to look out at the Opera House or Harbour Bridge. Fortunately, the Four Seasons Sydney knows the answer is always “both,” which is why you should end up in the Full Harbour Club Suite. One of the premium room and suite offerings, the Full Harbour Club Suite sits on the corner of the building, encapsulating the best of Sydney in one tight frame. The signature picture window features banquette seating and looks out over the harbourside, providing stellar views of two of the city’s most iconic landmarks.
The rooms and suites in the Four Seasons Sydney were treated to a revamp courtesy of Melbourne’s Mim Design in 2019. Our Full Harbour Club Suite is reminiscent of an archetypal upscale city apartment with a hint of Art Deco charm, rendered in a largely neutral palette with pops of blue which work to form a visual connection with the harbourside beyond.
While the prime view of the Sydney harbourside makes it difficult to leave one’s suite, access to Lounge 32 sweetens the deal. The aptly named Four Season Sydney’s Executive Lounge offering is located on the 32nd floor and is complimentary for guests staying in Club rooms or above (that encompasses Club Rooms, Club Suites, and Signature Suites), however lounge access passes can be purchased separately (passes are $280AUD/day for two people or $150AUD/day for one person).
If the service is the highlight at Four Seasons Sydney, the Lounge 32 is the crowning jewel. A veritable oasis well above the hustle and bustle of the city, the space takes on an elevated residential feel. There’s ample space for both work and play, with a dedicated meeting room, intimate private dining room, and a plethora of window seating with views over the western side of the harbour. The latter is the ideal place to mainline barista-made coffee while tapping out a few emails during the day before making the transition into cocktail hour.
Guests with executive club access can take breakfast in Lounge 32, with the lounge serving refreshments around the clock. Aside from breakfast which consists of a buffet of hot and cold options, Lounge 32 also serves refreshments from 12pm to 2pm and 4pm to 8pm, with drinks service until 9pm. While the evening refreshments are billed as ‘light canapés’, the selection here was surprisingly vast, with an array of charcuterie and cheese board items, fruit, and pâtisserie items for dessert, as well as a selection of salads and hot menu items on offer. We were impressed with the variety of options on offer, finding them substantial enough to constitute a light dinner. Those wishing to imbibe will be satisfied by the open bar — serve yourself or opt to have one of the capable waitstaff whip you up a cocktail.
The Four Seasons Sydney’s service shines within Lounge 32. Where many establishments oscillate between leaving you alone in a manner that borders on indifference and overt attentiveness to the point of annoyance, staff here are simultaneously attentive yet unobtrusive. Having mastered the subtle (yet underappreciated) art of attending guests without interrupting a conversation, staff are both observant and considerate. Minute details don’t go overlooked — a waitress notices my lemon and ginger tea has gotten too weak during an extended Zoom and offers a refresh, while elsewhere the refreshments on offer are continually replenished.
The only thing that could tear us away from aperitivo in the lounge? Dinner at the hotel’s Mode Kitchen & Bar. Helmed by executive chef Gaurav Bide, the contemporary Australian menu takes a produce-driven approach, making use of seasonal ingredients and utilising culinary techniques that work to enhance rather than obscure. The acquerello risotto (a dish oft-attempted and rarely carried off) is executed to perfection, while the ash charred leeks frees the allium from its usual fate of soup and instead bestows it with a rich flavour and a texture that fall apart in your mouth and teams it with silky stracciatella and hazelnuts. Desserts take on the form of edible art, with the ‘Hazelnut’ almost too pretty to eat.
The Four Seasons Sydney proves hotels don’t necessarily have to be flashy or unconventional to be impressive. In an industry where innovation is often key, the Four Seasons Sydney differentiates itself by embracing tradition, with a quiet combination of thoughtful service, a seamless guest experience, and a well-executed dining offering creating a destination that feels like coming home. Now, that’s a luxury every kind of traveller can appreciate.
The lowdown: Four Seasons Sydney
The hook; why stay at Four Seasons Sydney?
A prime harbourside location which provides expansive views of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House, coupled with impeccable service and elegant rooms make the Four Seasons Sydney an easy choice for business and leisure travellers alike.
Tell us more
Operating under the Four Seasons name for just over two decades (although the building has been there for over four), service is everything at the Four Seasons Sydney. The harbourside stalwart delivers luxury with a decided sense of effortlessness, conveying it through careful attention to detail and a steadfast commitment to guest experience.
How to get to Four Seasons Sydney
The Four Seasons Sydney is ideally placed in the historic precinct of The Rocks. It’s a five-minute walk from Circular Quay station and less than a ten minute walk from Wynyard station, or a 30-45 minute drive from Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport.
Rooms and suites
The Four Seasons Sydney comprises 531 rooms, with 33 of those being suites. While the lobby feels a touch dated, rooms and suites are elegant and contemporary. The decor is reminiscent of a minimalist upmarket condo in Manhattan, with neutral tones accented with a pop of blue and artwork adorning the walls. The decor at Four Seasons Sydney is both luxurious and inoffensive. While it mightn’t boast the impressive design credentials of the new boutique hotels on the block, it rightly recognises that there’s no point competing with the view beyond, choosing to complement rather than compete with the harbour.
Bathrooms are spacious, with separate areas for the bathtub, shower, and toilet. Clad in marble and dark woods, they convey conventional old world luxury.
Bathroom products?
Bathroom products are by French brand Codage. Expect to find shampoo, conditioner, and body wash in the shower, as well as hand wash and body lotion by the bathroom sink and a soap bar by the bathtub. While not strictly necessary, the inclusion of bath salts or a dedicated bath soak would have enhanced the experience.
Comfort factor
Honestly, the only thing better than being awake at the Four Seasons Sydney is being asleep in it. The hotel has its own custom-designed beds which have just the right amount of firmness while still being plush, with deliciously soft sheets sealing the deal. The cherry on top is that the staff have seemingly listened in on one of the many occasions I’ve lamented the coffin-like feeling of sliding into a tightly tucked bed (the air pockets?! How does anyone enjoy this?) and left the sheets and quilt untucked. Yes, this might be a contentious opinion for some — tucked or untucked, that is the question.
Food and drink
A buffet breakfast is served in both Mode Kitchen & Bar and in Lounge 32 for those with executive club access. Expect to find an array of breakfast items on offer, including an array of fruits, vegetables and dip, smoked salmon, dairy and non-dairy yoghurts, granola, nuts and seeds, and pastries, as well as a hot buffet with both classic western and international options.
Mode Kitchen & Bar serves à la carte lunch and dinner, while the hotel’s Grain Bar boasts one of the city’s largest whisk(e)y selections.
Spa and facilities
Four Seasons Sydney is home to Endota Spa which offers a selection of facials, massages, and body treatments.
There’s an outdoor pool, as well as a fitness centre which comprises a gym, sauna, and steam room.
The service
Impeccable. I’m sure I’ve droned on about it enough, but the service here is uniformly exemplary across the board. While we were impressed by the attention to detail and effort to provide an exceptional guest experience at every turn in our quotidian staycation, the concierge team are also adept at handling more complex requests like wedding proposals or securing last-minute dining reservations at a booked-our restaurant.
It’s also worth noting that the staff is impressively multilingual, making for a seamless experience for international guests. During our—numerous—trips to Lounge 32, we heard staff and guests interacting in French and Mandarin, with the concierge team able to cater to most of the languages commonly spoken in the APAC and Europe regions.
Anything else?
We’ve already mentioned it, but Lounge 32 is a must. The complimentary access makes swinging for a Club Room or Full Harbour Club Suite well worth it (and that’s not even accounting for the view), but if you’re in one of the lower category rooms, we’d recommend purchasing a pass for days you plan on mostly staying in.
AR Verdict
At a time when appearance is all too often prioritised over experience, this seasoned grande dame acts as a paragon of service, providing a welcome reminder of the golden era of hospitality.
Four Seasons Sydney is open for bookings, with rooms and suites priced from around $450AUD/night.
Address: 199 George St, The Rocks, NSW, Australia
Words by T. Angel
