As Easter approaches, and the school holidays with it, the idea of a staycation looms large – and the Hyatt Regency Sydney may just be the perfect base for it.
Nestled in the heart of Darling Harbour, the Hyatt Regency Sydney is perfectly positioned – sitting right on the cusp of all the activities surrounding Darling Harbour itself, and just a stone’s throw from the Sydney CBD with all of its nightlife, bars and attractions.
After a seamless check in process (delayed only by taking in the glorious reception area), we opt to drop our bags in the room and head up to Zephr Sky Bar to kick this little staycation off.
Zephyr’s champagne-coloured décor, inspired by the iconic Moët & Chandon bottle, transforms the rooftop into a breathtaking backdrop for stylish gatherings and celebrations.
There’s an extensive cocktail list, a food menu and live music – providing a relaxing vibe for a couple of drinks before kicking the night off, or to settle in and watch the sun go down over Darling Harbour.
Back in the room, you’ll find all the expected amenities and a large comfortable bed for a quick nap before heading out for the night. If you can score yourself a King Harbour View room, then the view itself will become the highlight of the room – you could sit and watch the comings and goings of this busy part of Sydney and get yourself lost in time.
For dinner we headed to the hotel’s Sailmaker Restaurant, and while it does have an a la carte menu, it is its seafood menu – headed up by the Seafarer Dinner that runs Thursday to Sunday – that is the real highlight here.
It is a three-course, $95 menu that also gives you access to the Mediterranean Tapas Table, meaning there’s little to no chance of going hungry.
Entrees include options like the Appellation Rock Oyster with raspberry, rose mignonette and lemon; the Ulladulla Yellowfin Tuna; and the Abrolhos Island Scallops.
It is the mains where things really shine here – from the Sea Mullet to the Merimbula Swordfish, there’s a range of options to ensure seafood lovers are well looked after.
The menu also features suggested wine pairings for each dish, which adds to the experience of the dining package.
We did add a couple of items from the a la carte menu and couldn’t recommend the Charred Lamb Cutlet from the entree menu highly enough, while the 300gm sirloin steak with fries and green peppercorn sauce was delicious.
Completely full – and maybe even a little tipsy – we headed out to the Sydney CBD, visiting a few popular bars – knowing that the comforts of the hotel room would be waiting upon our return.
Talking of comforts, it’s worth noting the hotel also boasts Nabea Spa. Indulge in rejuvenating treatments tailored to your needs, from soothing massages to luxurious facials. Designed to pamper and restore, it’s the perfect retreat for parents looking to unwind and recharge during the bustling holiday season.
After a comfortable and quiet night’s stay, we headed back to Sailmaker Restaurant the next morning for their buffet breakfast. The options here were endless and in the hit-and-miss world of buffets, it’s safe to say Hyatt Regency Sydney offered one of the better spreads in Sydney.
The executive chef even popped over to our table – and many others – to grab some feedback. It’s hard to see how he’d hear anything but positive reviews.
With plenty of Easter specials around at the moment, Hyatt Regency Sydney is a convenient, comfortable and elegant option for a Sydney staycation – just make sure you come hungry!
Visit https://www.hyatt.com/hyatt-regency/en-US/sydrs-hyatt-regency-sydney.
The writer stayed as a guest of Hyatt Regency Sydney.
Troy Dodds
Troy Dodds is the Weekender's Managing Editor and Breaking News Reporter. He has more than 20 years experience as a journalist, working with some of Australia's leading media organisations. In 2023, he was named Editor of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.