Review: Swissotel Sydney

Name: Swissotel Sydney
Item: Swissotel Sydney
Rating: 4
Author: Chris Ashton

We check into one of Sydney’s enduring five star hotels, a sanctuary above the busy streets of the CBD.

Overall Rating

By Chris Ashton, May 10 2022

Country

Australia

City

Sydney

Hotel

Swissotel Sydney

Rating

5 Stars

Room

Swiss Advantage Room

Notes

The Good

An exceptional location, well placed for business and leisure

The Bad

Executive Lounge closed during my visit, empty minibar

X-Factor

Ten Stories a step above your typical hotel restaurant

Rating

Location

Rooms

Meals

Overall

View similar hotels

Introduction

After more than 20 years, Swissotel Sydney remains a beacon of classic sophistication, although you wouldn’t know it from the street alone. The only hint at what lies within is a marble-clad entrance and concierge desk, staffed by a very well-dressed doorperson.

Want to take a deeper look inside? We put the Swissotel Sydney to the test.

Location & Impressions

Nestled amid the hum of downtown Sydney at 68 Market Street, opposite the historic State Theatre, and conveniently adjacent to the Myer Centre entrance, Swissotel Sydney is well placed for both business and leisure guests.

There are two light rail stations within 50 metres of the hotel entrance, with the iconic Queen Victoria Building diagonally across the road, Martin Place around five minutes walk, and the International Convention Centre at Darling Harbour an easy 15 minutes stroll.

Entering from the street, it was a swift right turn to access the lift up to level eight, where the hotel’s reception, restaurant and lobby bar were soon revealed in a cavernous double-height space. Much like the T.A.R.D.I.S, Swissotel Sydney is bigger on the inside.

High tea at Swissotel Sydney's Crossroads Bar is a must-do.

Although the white and cream lobby could easily feel cold, particularly with its extensive use of marble, it has been brought to life with warm lighting and pops of candy red. High-backed booths around the bar’s lounge seating area cleverly broke up the space too.

Check-in was a quick experience. As part of the Accor family, guests staying at Swissotel can use their Accor Live Limitless membership to receive a bevy of additional status benefits.

Swissotel Sydney parking is available for $60 per day. There is no valet service at present, so it's self-parking only.

Room

Overlooking the base of Sydney Tower and across Hyde Park to St Mary's Cathedral, my Swiss Advantage King Room on level 19 was spacious and elegant, with a classic monochromatic palette broken up with a few warmer finishes.

The Swiss Advantage King Room features textured furnishings and ample room to stretch out.

Charcoal carpet with Nazca Line-style patterns, timber panelling behind the fabric bedhead, and black wardrobe doors contrasted the stark-white of the desk and chrome-edged minibar cabinet, which also housed a Nespresso machine but sadly no drinks or snacks.

A soft leather recliner positioned by the window offered a comfortable spot to watch the 40” smart TV, although it was just too low to really appreciate the view outside.

The classically-styled bathroom housed a large shower and separate bath tub.

In the bathroom, it was a vintage affair with blue and white tiles, a mirror above the single vanity, and marble benchtop with plenty of room to spread out. A large bath and separate shower completed the space. Swissotel ‘Pürovel’ toiletries were also provided.

Work

The large desk was a comfortable base to work, with free wifi available in the room and all public areas. A double powerpoint was housed within a built-in shelf on the desk, which was thankfully just large enough to fit my Mac charger. USB outlets were over by the bed.

The desk's built-in powerpoint was only just large enough for a Mac laptop charger.

A temporary Executive Club Lounge was located on the upper deck of the hotel’s restaurant, Ten Stories, with the actual lounge unfortunately closed during my stay due to the pandemic.

Afternoon tea and evening drinks and canapes were served in the makeshift lounge space, meaning Executive Level guests and those with Accor status could still enjoy their perks.

With the Executive Lounge closed, a temporary one was set up at Ten Stories Restaurant.

Eat

Swissotel Sydney hotel has two dining options: Crossroads Bar and signature restaurant Ten Stories.

Although both located on level eight, Ten Stories takes its name from the hotel’s four bee hives on level 10, which provide honey for many of its delicious dishes and cocktails.

Swissotel Sydney breakfast features all the usual suspects, with hot and cold dishes and multiple drink choices.

Headed up by award-winning Executive Chef John Pugliano, Ten Stories heroes seasonal and locally sourced produce, with its paper-free menu accessible via QR code and featuring the likes of Sydney rock oysters, paperbark roasted chicken, and a buckwheat soba risotto.

Gnocchi just like Nonna used to make, with a Swissotel twist.

I opted for miso marinated kingfish sashimi to start, followed by nonna’s potato gnocchi and a side of broccolini with salsa verde and almonds, finished with a lemon myrtle panna cotta.

Each dish was bursting with flavour, but the kingfish was the dish of the evening.

Kingfish sashimi in a miso dressing, flecked with gold leaf.

Service was a standout, as to be expected from a five star hotel restaurant, and the surprising Louisiana-inspired clarinet jazz soundtrack helped make it a fun and memorable night.

Crossroads Bar is open daily for light dishes and drinks, with comfortable lounge seating, booths well-suited to impromptu meetings, and two televisions playing the day’s news.

Breakfast was also served at Ten Stories, with an impressive buffet selection of hot and cold dishes, as well as a chef on hand to cook eggs to order. A minor incident involving my toast catching fire – yes, there were flames – didn’t put a dampener on the experience.

Relax

It wouldn’t be a luxury hotel without its own day spa. Located on level 10, Swissotel Sydney 'Spa & Sport' is open seven days from 9am-8pm, it includes a small gym and heated outdoor swimming pool with jacuzzi, together with a menu of pampering wellness treatments such as massages and facials.

There's no view from the rooftop pool, but it's still a good spot to cool down.

Those who are into jogging, which admittedly I’m not, can also make use of short, medium and long curated jogging maps that start and finish at the hotel, and take you past some of the city’s most iconic sights, including Hyde Park, Mrs Macquarie’s Chair, and the Opera House.

Verdict

As expected, a fantastic experience. Having walked past the hotel entrance for years, it was nice to step inside and experience it for myself, and it certainly lived up to its reputation.

Although last refurbished back in 2016, the hotel has held up surprisingly well, showing little wear and tear. An extensive upgrade currently underway in its lobby bathrooms, which will give them a more contemporary look, signals ongoing improvements are still being made.

With its excellent location, amenities tailored to the needs of executive travellers, and a host of status perks including upgrade to the next room category with Gold membership in the Accor Live Limitless loyalty program, Swissotel Sydney is worth checking into.