Shangri-La Hotel Sydney – the perfect family escape

A weekend escape in the city is the perfect way to spend some special time with family, and the elegant Shangri-La hotel Sydney feels like coming home – that is, when your home has multi-million dollar Sydney Harbour views, an organic bee farm on the roof and one of the best pastry chefs in the business overseeing your High Teas.

Riding the elevator to the 30th floor of the Shangri-La hotel, Sydney to check into the Horizon Club, six year old Emmie and I were not prepared for the magical harbour panorama awaiting us. We knew the Shangri-La occupied some serious Sydney real estate, situated in the historic Rocks area and in walking distance to everything the city has to offer, but seeing the view for ourselves was not only a spectacular experience but made us feel proud to call this beautiful city home.

 

Emmie and I were leaving Sydney the next day for our year-long travels through Asia. And what better way to farewell your beloved city than with a luxury stay in one of the best Sydney hotels – with the absolute best Sydney views. But the Shangri-La is not all about the luxe (although they do it so well) we were also attracted to the Shangri-la for its family focus, its appreciation of the importance of family holidays and getaways, and its commitment to the environment and sustainable practices.

Our room, on level 32 boasted a seriously comfy bed, generous bathroom stocked with delicious L’Occitan toiletries and a super deep bath. But the view, the view is incredible.

The sweeping panorama from Luna Park and the Sydney Harbour Bridge across Circular Quay and over to the Opera House and beyond is quite simply, breathtaking. It’s the view you sit and stare at all day, watching the world go by, the boats and ferries cross-crossing the water, small seaplanes flying in about and the changing light on the Opera House sails as the sun starts to set.

After settling in and trying out the bath, toiletries and taking at least 50 photos of Emmie posing at the floor to ceiling windows with the Bridge and Opera house in the background, we made our way down to the Lobby Lounge for our traditional High Tea from internationally renowned Executive Pastry Chef Anna Polyviou.

 

After choosing our teas – rose and vanilla for me and peach for Emmie – we were served a sparkling three tier serving plate stocked with delicious treats. At was a momentous high tea for Emmie, not only her first but her wiggly front tooth came out when she bit into a scone! Luckily the tooth fairy was able to find her in our room later that night.

 

When we were unable to finish all the chocolate – there is a lot of deliciousness – the treats were packaged up for us to take to our room for a midnight feast. Perfect for a mum and daughter weekend in the city.We had a family farewell dinner to get to uptown at Sydney Tower and were soon on our way. We jumped into a taxi and within a few minutes – even with the George Street redevelopment – we were there.

The Shangri-La’s location puts you right into the heart of Sydney. Within a couple of minutes you could be walking over the Harbour Bridge, strolling through the Rocks, having lunch at Opera Bar or one of the many restaurants that line the Quay, or seeing Junior Proms, ballet or a concert at the Opera House. The Sydney Theatre Company is a short stroll away,  as are Sydney’s theatres, museums and galleries.

Following dinner we returned to our room to gaze at Sydney at nighttime – the colourful lights of Luna Park, the shimmering Harbour Bridge with its glittering stripes of yellow headlights and red taillights, the silhouettes of the ferries and glowing Sydney Opera House sails – before changing into our cossies, donning our robes and making our way down to the swimming pool where we swam and played until closing, taking a quick sauna and shower before heading back to our room to finish packing up our backpack for our big adventure [with some bubbles for me of course].

 

The pool, spa, sauna and huge gymnasium is open to 9pm each evening and is such a fun way to wind down after a busy day out and about in the city. Or if you prefer you can always take a nightcap in Blu Bar with views stretching from Darling Harbour around to the House.

 

After a delicious nights sleep we were up for breakfast and more views before heading to the airport for our flight, feeling full of lovely harbour images, feeling special and knowing that when we return to Sydney we will be back to the Shangri-La hotel Sydney for more mummy and me escapes.

Shangri-La Hotel Sydney

Address: 179 Cumberland St, The Rocks, Sydney, NSW, Australia

High tea is available daily from 1 – 5pm.

The Shangri-La offers wonderful family weekend escape packages.

Emmie and I stayed as guests of the Shangri-La Hotel Sydney.