Located just down from Spice Alley, Four Points by Sheraton Sydney, Central Park, sits smack-dab in the middle of foodie heaven.
With the weather getting colder and the Christmas break refresh having officially worn off, a Sydney staycation might just be the best remedy to cure a mid-year slump.
And if you’re searching for a luxe hotel that has some of the best restaurants on its doorsteps, you really can’t go pass Four Points by Sheraton Sydney, Central Park.
Located in Chippendale, I recently had the chance to try out the hotel for myself.
Just a short walk down from Central Station and with onsite parking, Four Points by Sheraton is perfect for those travelling from the west by either car or public transport.
After checking in, I checked out my room for the night, a one-bedroom executive suite. Modern and chic, the room boasts a huge bathroom with a rainforest shower and a separate living room and bedroom – perfect for those traveling as a couple who still want to have their own space.
Close to Allianz stadium and the Moore Park Entertainment Quarter, and surrounded by many restaurants and shops, there’s plenty to see and do around Four Points by Sheraton in Central Park for both families and adults.
At the top of my list of places to explore in Chippendale was, of course, Spice Alley.
Barely a five-minute walk from the hotel, Kensington Street serves as a gateway to one of the most vibrant food hubs in the whole of Sydney.
Follow the delicious aroma of spices and you’ll find yourself in an alleyway full of every single Asian street cuisine you can imagine, surrounded by beautiful lanterns.
With so many amazing dishes on offer, it was difficult to decide on what to order. Eventually I settled on a few bao buns from newcomer Cheeky Bao.
Jam-packed full of flavourful fillings in a soft, melt-in-your-mouth bao bun, it was definitely a great choice and the perfect way to kickstart my weekend getaway.
Gin Lane was next – a unique small bar that has gained Instagram fame thanks to the amazing way its cocktails are served-up. Case in point was the Lightbulb Moment gin cocktail I ordered, which was literally served in a smoking lightbulb.
Yes, it was immediately shared on social media – when a drink looks this good, it’s impossible not to.
After lunch I spent the afternoon exploring the rest of what Chippendale has to offer, including the many shops and cafés. I found some great gems like the busy Koi Dessert Bar, a dessert-lovers dream, and the much-loved Anita Gelato.
One of the best things about having Four Points by Sheraton as your base is that it’s only a short trip to pretty much everywhere else in the city. For me, it presented the perfect opportunity to try out Infinity at Sydney Tower for dinner – without having to worry about getting back to western Sydney after a few glasses of wine.
Towering 81 levels above Sydney, when you visit Infinity you quite literally dine amongst the clouds. Despite getting some bad luck with the weather during the day, at night the sky cleared up and I was able to take in all the beautiful lights of the city, including some fireworks over the harbour.
When it comes to customer service, the team at Infinity do it like no other. That paired with an amazing three-course meal (inclusive of one of the tastiest desserts I’ve ever had) created a unique culinary experience like no other.
Then it was back to the hotel to relax and finish off the night with a movie in the spacious living room.
The next morning I woke up feeling refreshed after a good night’s sleep – something that doesn’t often happen when I stay at a hotel, a testament to the comfortable (and very big) bed.
Of course, it wouldn’t be a successful hotel stay without sampling the breakfast buffet before checking out. It had all the staples of a cooked breakfast (think bacon, eggs and toast), plus plenty of pastries, cereal and healthy options as well.
I finished off my stay with a visit to Top Impression Bakery in Central Park Mall for a takeaway coffee and one of the delicious croissants I had heard so much about – definitely one to add to the list if you love pastries as much as I do.
My stay at Four Points by Sheraton introduced me to a side of Sydney I’ve never spent much time in or knew much about – but now it’s become somewhere I can’t wait to return.
With its prime position and relaxing, modern rooms, Four Points by Sheraton is the perfect getaway for those in need of an escape from the daily grind.
Four Points by Sheraton Sydney facilitated part of the writer’s stay.
Ellie Busby
Ellie Busby is a news reporter for Western Sydney Publishing Group. A graduate of the University of Hertfordshire and Western Sydney University, she is a journalism Major. Ellie has worked with Universal Media, The Cova Project and for a range of other projects.