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I’ve often wondered why the Central Coast doesn’t hold bigger sway among domestic and international visitors. But with the first major hotel opening in the region for 15 years, I can finally rest easy and worry about something else!

Heralding what’s sure to be some major changes to the region’s profile, the voco Gosford by IHG opened its doors to guests in late 2025.

But it’s not just the 130 rooms across 11 storeys that spell this cultural epiphany for the Central Coast. It’s the rest of the building too.

The voco Gosford sits within the brand new Archibald Precinct, which brings six dining and hospitality options, including an elegant rooftop cocktail bar on the 28th floor with panoramic vistas across the landscape and over Brisbane Waters.

voco Gosford by IHG

As the winding Central Coast Highway twists us down to sea level, our attention moves from the sparkling waters of the bay to the impressive twin towers of the voco Gosford, its distinctive black and white sculpted walls standing taller than any other building in the area.

For now.

Evidence of major construction is poking up all over town, another sign that things here are changing.

The lobby

We’ve timed our drive north to Gosford poorly. We were hoping to pick up a pie from the legendary Shhmoakesy’s Gourmet Pies on the way in, but they run out by lunchtime. Instead, we see if our room’s ready for check-in. Two hours early.

The warmly lit and pleasantly scented lobby is also home to the welcoming Lobby Bar, which doubles up as a cafe during the day. At least we can spend an easy hour there if our room’s not ready.

But we’re in luck; the room’s ready and the friendly reception staff check us in and send us on our happy way. From the lobby, you can also take the stairs at the back to the main dining areas of the precinct. But that’s for later.

The room

Our room is up on the 11th floor, technically the top floor of the hotel. Above that, from 12 to 27, are high-end residential apartments.

The room is also right on the corner of the floor.

And it’s a king suite!

From the front door, a short passageway leads to the enormous bed with a chase and small dining table nearby. The bar fridge and tea caddy is in a cabinet that’s been made to look like a little drinks cart, which is fun.

The TV is tucked into another piece of custom furniture and is — like the bed — huge.

While I’m inspecting the TV and the curtains that cover the windows running the length of the wall, I notice chairs on the narrow balcony outside. I can’t see a door anywhere and jump to the conclusion that this must be a communal balcony. I’m initially outraged.

Then Christina finds the door.

Sliding behind the TV unit, the door opens to a full private balcony that wraps around the corner giving us wonderful views of the town below, the wooded hills and bushland around, and then all the way out to the bay and its coruscating waters.

As we peer down, we can also see the hotel’s rooftop pool and swim-up bar. This is down on the 5th floor — the top of the connecting building between the two towers.

The chairs I spotted — by the way — are ours.

Back in the room, we discover the bathroom behind a door we initially thought was one of those doors that connect to adjoining rooms. This is perhaps the best part of the room, with tactful lighting, a large vanity and luxurious amenities from Apotheke.

And then we see the giant, deep-fill bath tub and the striped tiling that mirrors the exterior walls of this hotel. The tiling continues into the roomy shower with its rippled glass art deco door that glides along on industrial style mechanism of polished brass.

The detail makes the difference

But it’s the details of the suite that give it that comfortable yet elegant edge.

It’s the brass finishes in the bathroom, it’s the (surprisingly satisfying) cyclonic directional flush of the WC, it’s the lush deep pile of the carpet, and best of all it’s the labels on the light switches and the USBs by the bed.

Too many times in too many hotels have we struggled to find the correct light switch, being left either blinded or broken-toed in the middle of the night. The multitude of illumination options here though are clearly signed, removing the guesswork.

If we had any negative points to make, they would be so minor: there are only two bath towels in the room (an easy fix) and the tap is a bit far from the sink, making it awkward to wash your hands and leaving a lot of drips on the vanity (an impossible fix).

Other than that, this room hits all the sweet spots.

The dining options

We’ve mentioned the Lobby Bar and the swim-up Pool Bar but that still leaves four other venues.

The pool bar, by the way, has complicated hours. On paper, its a 10am-8pm option, but in reality, staffing and weather can play a problematic part, so bear that in mind.

Behind the Pool Bar and on dry land, however, is Saltfire. This broad space is — for the moment — only open for breakfast, though this may change in the future. Breakfast is a buffet affair and one that offers the crispiest hash browns on earth. The bacon, though it might not look like it, is the tastiest I’ve had at a hotel buffet.

A big statement, but I’ll stand by it.

Downstairs on the ground floor is Archie’s. Once the Union Hotel, this is now set up to be ‘Gosford’s new local’, and it’s got everything you need for a good old pub and has a big, friendly family vibe.

It also operates as the bar for the two dining options here: Paolo’s Pizzeria and Ironbark.

We find our table at Ironbark and prowl through the menu, all the time glancing over at the dry-ageing cabinet stocked with huge slabs of beef. We’ve heard the tomahawk is excellent here.

The only problem is there are lots of other things catching our eye as we peruse the options. We even debate the pub classics for a while, but in the end settle on a couple of entrees and steaks.

In a way, I wish we’d gone for the burgers or parmies.

Sadly, the steak tartare didn’t really hit the spot for us. It was covered in a strange mayonnaise dressing and — rather than bread or crisps, the kitchen had taken pains to make their own potato sticks that didn’t stay crispy for long enough and weren’t the best vehicle for the tartare.

The steaks came out a bit under-done, which is usually fine by me, but the fat hadn’t rendered properly and the result was quite a sickly scotch fillet.

On the plus side, the portions are enormous. Both our steaks have us beat and we try to finish the side of broccolini, but fail there too. The wine list here also deserves a mention with plenty of NSW options, which we always enjoy seeing.

The glass of Robert Stein Shiraz — a Mudgee favourite of ours — goes down well with all the meat!

The nightcap

Our favourite part of the voco Gosford comes at the end of the night when we step out of the lift on level 28.

Astra, the hotel’s rooftop bar and restaurant, is lovely.

With views almost right around the area through windows that have been thrown open to allow the cool evening sea breeze in, Astra is part cocktail bar, part izakaya, offering excellently crafted drinks and carefully sculpted Japanese dishes in a refined, city-style setting.

We’re more than full from dinner, so we skip the menus and find a spot at the long bar. Andy behind the jump mixes us two superb martinis and we chat about the various virtues of gin for a while.

It’s the perfect end to the day and once back in our palatial room, we settle into the ecstatic comfort of our soft bed in deep contentment.

We stayed and dined as guests of voco Gosford by IHG and Archibald Precinct, but our experiences and opinions remain our own.

The post Going Voco Loco — a new luxe staycation in the Central Coast, NSW appeared first on Mr and Mrs Romance.

Slap bang in the middle of the Sydney winter, July has certainly coughed up a cold one for us this year, hasn’t it. 

Thankfully, we’ve had plenty to do to keep our minds off the chilly temperatures that somehow feel lower inside than when we’re out and about. In fact, I sometimes feel like someone secretly installed a refrigeration system in our apartment that only comes on during winter.

Anyway, this month has been full of staycations and winery experiences, rum distilleries and whisky panels, not to mention a lovely trip to Orange – one of our favourite NSW country towns – and plenty of food adventures too.

Hope you enjoy this little taste of our July.

Cheers

Jim & Christina xx

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It’s lunchtime and we’re out in the city looking for a feed. Down on the fringe of Darling Harbour, one of Sydney’s best-known waterside entertainment quarters, is the Hyatt Regency. 

We’ve been here a few times, but mostly for drinks and nibbles at Zephyr, the hotel’s rooftop bar. Down at street level though is Jackalberry Bar and Restaurant.

Just off the elegant lobby of the Hyatt Regency, the Jackalberry and its botanist/explorer vibes and leafy interior is a clever take on what I’m guessing is an ‘urban jungle’ brief.

But far from offering foraged vegetation or adventurers’ rations, this quirky yet chic bistro has some outstanding food offerings to enjoy.

Even better than that, Jackalberry is currently offering an amazing lunch deal: for $39 you get a two-course meal and a drink!

Those courses can be an entree and main or main and entree… or entree and dessert if you like. As for drinks, you can choose from soft and hot beverages, or house beer and wine if you feel like it.

The offer runs from 11am to 3pm, and if you time it right, you can move from lunch right onto the happy hour (3pm-6pm) for $9 house beers, wines and spirits, and $11 mini cocktails.

Call us old fashioned, but Christina and I opt for the entree and main option for lunch, starting with a rich, sweet southwest corn chowder with vintage cheddar and sourdough cob, and housemade corn fritters with avocado, pomegranate and rocket.

I don’t know why we’ve both chosen corn-based starters, but they’re bloody good either way. 

Other options are bruschetta, prawn summer rolls and charred lamb skewers with couscous and olives.

We sit back and enjoy our wines (of course we’ve gone for wine – a lovely Montepulciano from Coriole in McLaren Vale and a zesty Riesling also from from SA) and take in our surroundings. 

The warm, interesting interior and comfortable seating make for a lovely lunch venue, though there’s still an element of ‘hotel lobby’ sterility about the place. It’s not a problem, merely an observation, and the staff work very hard to make everyone feel at home and cared for.

We’re also impressed with the serving sizes. All too often, two-course lunch specials come out half the size and with even less than half the effort in plating.

Not here.

Shortly, our mains come out and we realise this isn’t one of those skimpy ‘executive lunch’ deals. This is a proper meal.

My burger is robust and juicy, with plenty of filling and fries. It even comes with onion rings.

Christina’s bucatini carbonara is popular for a reason. It’s not the traditional style – bacon instead of guanciale and cream is involved – but the outcome is excellent. Bucatini pasta is a creative choice; a thicker ‘spaghetti’ style, though with a hollow running through the middle, which maximises contact with the sauce!

We leave Jackalberry feeling full and warm – exactly what you want from a winter lunch. Make sure you don’t miss this special. It won’t be running forever.

This evening, we’re at the London Hotel in Balmain for a mate’s big birthday. Christina’s fighting friend, Matt, is turning 50 and has thrown a party to celebrate. The theme is either come as something beginning with M or as Matt himself. 

Thankfully, he also has no hair (when he’s not dressed as George Michael) and wears glasses, so it’s an easy one for me. All I need to do is borrow Christina’s jujutsu gi for the final touch – we know Matt through Christina’s martial arts dojo.

Christina, on the other hand, has dressed as a maths teacher. I thought this was a clever idea, as it’s something that begins with M and is also something she’s quite good at. 

I did not know that Matt is, in fact, a maths teacher irl. He’s even invited a few of his friends from his faculty. I feel both stupid and somehow somewhat shamen-esque!

Anyway, happy birthday, Matt. Hope you had a good night.

This evening, we’re out in the city again, but this time we’re here overnight!

We’re staying at the Porter House Hotel on Castlereagh Street and we’re here for a couple of reasons.

Firstly, we’re checking out this hotel, which is part of the Accor group, but is in the MGallery Collection, a boutique subsidiary that has residences in some beautiful heritage buildings all over the world. This one is in a building from the 1860s, though the rooms are in fact in the modern tower next door.

This means you get the best of both worlds: dining and entertainment is in the old building while rooms like our impressive junior suite can stretch out in the new connected premises.

For our review of this lovely hotel, click here. You can also watch our video walkthrough of the Porter House here.

The other reason for our little staycation is to try out what’s going on in the ground floor.

Instead of a lobby bar, the Porter House is home to Handpicked Wines‘ cellar door, Bread and Wine. You can come in here and have a full winery experience, but with none of the effort required to head into wine country.

What’s more, hotel and the winery are working together to bring a stay and sip experience that’s perfect for winter that they’re calling the Red Affair.

With your room, you get a wine tasting downstairs of some of Handpicked’s best reds, but you also have a cheese pairing to go with it all too. An excellent way to start – or finish – a night in town.

Click here to find out more about the specials at the Porter House. 

This evening, a few of my mates and I are out in Balmain for dinner! We’re at Dick’s Hotel ostensibly to have a look at the new front bar they’ve installed. In the grand scheme of things, the renovation hasn’t taken that long, but we also haven’t been in for a while.

What do we think of the finished product? A little underwhelmed if we’re honest (and these guys always are!) but I think it was probably time for a bit of a facelift.

It’s a shame that more of the original features couldn’t have stayed, but at least we’re all on one of the last old tables by the wall, which makes us feel better.

What also makes us feel better is a decent parmigiana, schnitty, steak and burger to go with our respective beers.

Not another hotel, you ask! Well, yes and no – we’re out in the beautiful regional town of Orange today – a bit under four hours from Sydney. We’ve come to see the Oriana Motel (told you, not a hotel!), and we’re here for a couple of nights.

The Oriana was built in the ’60s, so it’s got some fabulous mid-century touches. Its original owner built it and named it in honour of the SS Oriana, one of the last great steam-powered cruise ships of the early 20th Century, and he wanted to emulate the glamour and sophistication of cruising in the booming ’20s. 

Things went well for the Oriana Motel and it was the place to be until the 1990s, when it went downhill until its reputation was the worst in the area.

But that was before Espen Harbritz and his late husband Ted Marr took over in 2015. With their impressive vision and experience, the Oriana is great once more.

Check out our review of the Oriana here.

While we’re here in Orange, we decide it would be rude not to check out some wineries. It is, after all, the only place in Australia that has a wine region designated by altitude – did you know Orange is the highest wine region in Australia?

Our first stop is to Ross Hill Wines for a morning tour and tasting. 

We’re led around the facility by James Robson himself, the owner of the winery. We’ve met James a couple of times before, but never at his winery, so it’s great to get to see him in his home environment.

After the tour, we sit down to some of Ross Hill’s superb wines. James also treats us to one of the elite wines he makes via the Coravin. 

Next time you’re in Orange, don’t miss out on Ross Hill. It’s a lovely cellar door with some outstanding wines.

Our next stop is at See Saw Wines, which have some superb traditional wines, but also natural wines too, which are made in a completely different way. 

Natural wines use a carbonic maceration process where whole bunches of grapes are sealed in an oxygen-starved environment for up to a fortnight, relying on yeast naturally within the berries. They’re then pressed and matured with as little intervention as possible. The result is something quite unlike many wines out there.

It’s not necessarily my favourite style, but I understand the attraction, and all the wines here at See Saw are first class. By the end of this fascinating tasting, it’s hard for us to narrow down which bottles to buy without ticking most of them on the list!

It’s lunchtime, so we head back into Orange and to Bill’s Beans East Orange. This corner cafe is an institution here in Orange and for good reason.

The coffee’s sensational, using their own proprietary roast of Seven Miles beans, and the food’s also outstanding too.

My reuben sandwich goes down a treat, and Christina’s roast pumpkin on toast comes with piles of hummus, goat’s cheese and hazelnuts.

Back at the Oriana, it’s time to get Nordic! Norwegian owner, Espen Harbritz, has installed the motel’s very own Scandi sauna, exclusively for staying guests. So we tiptoe through the freezing evening air and sweat it out in the joyfully hot confines of the steam room. 

Espen advises us to take a plunge in the cold swimming pool for the full Scandi experience, but we decide it’s cold enough in the outside air. Plus, I’m a massive wimp.

For dinner tonight, Christina and I are at the Oriana’s highly rated Peacock Room. 

As with everything that Espen and Ted have put together here at the Oriana, the Peacock Room is artfully crafted, beautifully styled and exquisitely generous.

Everything is so thoughtful and considered. From the wine list, which is home to many of the best of Orange, to things like plenty of complimentary bread on the table, and like my steak coming with not just one sauce, but all three that the kitchen offers.

Nothing’s too much to ask of the staff, the tables are well-spaced and smart, and service is perfectly paced. 

If you’re looking for a wonderful, European brasserie-style dining experience with brilliant food and a refined yet relaxed atmosphere, you can’t go past the Peacock Room.

By the way, did you notice the Christmas tree? Espen does the best Christmas in July, but that’s tomorrow night.

Tonight, Christmas has come to Orange! We’re back in the Peacock Room at the Oriana, but the restaurant has completely changed.

There are Christmas hats and crackers on every table, as well as all kinds of decoration, and the party started earlier in the garden, where Espen was serving ‘glogg’ – a kind of mulled wine. It’s less sweet though, and he’s added a load of brandy to it. 

We’re served a full Christmas dinner replete with turkey, duck, porchetta and crackling, pistachio and apricot stuffing, sprouts, red cabbage and the richest most indulgent gravy we’ve had.

Dessert is a dense Christmas pudding, flambeed with OP rum and served with warm custard, whipped cream, and rum and raisin ice cream. I’m in heaven!

You can read our full write-up of Christmas in July at the Oriana here.

All too soon, Christina and I are back home in Sydney. She’s out tonight with her mates for dinner at recently opened Cicci’s Wine Bar in Balmain. 

This airy eatery doubles as a wine shop, where you can also buy bottles to drink with your food at the table.

It’s tricky to get a booking here at the moment, so they settle with a between-service reservation, where you can still get light bites but nothing substantial. I’m sure they’ll be back as these ‘bar snacks’ look pretty good!

I’ve been trying to get this organised for ages, but tonight it’s finally happening! My mates and I are having a private tour of the incredible setup at Red Mill Rum Distillery in Rozelle. 

There’s some real history to this distillery, which actually started in the 1930s. The same family own and run it, and the rum that’s coming out is absolutely delicious. 

Thanks to Garth for spending so much time with us. The boys very much enjoyed the experience.

For your own tour of Red Mill Rum, click here.

How does the rhyme go? Red sky and blue at night… nope. No idea. Is the answer ‘tomorrow’s going to be just as cold?’

I thought so.

Today, we’re at the original Archie Rose Distillery site and bar for an exciting Aussie whisky tasting and judging panel. 

Christina and I have been judges for industry magazine The Shout and their Buyer’s Guide periodical for a while now, and this is the second Australian whisky session we’ve done, but it’s by far the biggest.

We sit down at the long table with the other judges and work our way through 12 different whiskies from around the country. There’s a real range here, from single malts to corn spirits and blends, and it’s quite challenging, but very interesting.

After the tasting, we head downstairs and hang out with our chum Kathleen for a couple of cocktails. Well, it’d be rude not to, wouldn’t it! 

We finish off the month with a chilled-out pizza dinner at one of the most underrated pizzerias in Sydney: Cappello Ristorante in Balmain East. Right opposite the East Village Hotel, this place turns out some of the best pizzas we’ve had – especially my favourite the diavola – plus cheap corkage if you want to bring your own bottles.

Mind you, their prices on wine by the glass are also very reasonable. But set in a beautiful little sandstone house, this pizza restaurant is one you shouldn’t go past.

The post Staycations and Saunas, Rum and Roadtrips, and Christmas in July appeared first on Mr and Mrs Romance.

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There’s something about a staycation that Christina and I always relish. Perhaps it’s the change of scenery or the ostentatious promise of room service. Maybe it’s the luxury of a big, modern bathroom (ours is impressively small and outdated).

Or perhaps it’s just the opportunity to play tourist in our own city.

Sydney’s certainly suited to a staycation. And our hotel is in the perfect spot for it too.

The Porter House, which is in Accor’s rare tranche of MGallery Collection hotels, is on Castlereagh Street between Park and Bathurst Streets. This means you’re not only a stone’s throw from Hyde Park (we can see the obelisk from our room window), but you’ve also got the city right at your feet.

Close to Town Hall and Gadigal stations, down the road from Chinatown — and even closer to Thai Town — you’ve got transport, food and drink already sorted. You’ve even got Darling Harbour and George Street entertainment quarters just a short walk alway.

But that’s if you can drag yourself away from the hotel.

Sydney Hotels — The Porter House

Stepping through the front door of this heritage building, which started out as a tobacco factory in the 1870s and then a famed leather merchants, you can feel the artisanal history of the place.

But this is only half of the Porter House, home to the hotel’s drinking and dining options (five floors of them!).

Next door, in a modern 36-floor tower, the Porter House occupies the first 10 floors with a range of room types and suites.

After checking in at reception, which is interestingly right at the back of the old building past the enticing bar and booths of the hotel’s ground-floor bar (click here to skip to the bar experience), we head up to our room, which has been very generously upgraded to a Junior Suite.

And although this may not be the biggest hotel suite in the world, it’s packed with beautiful design, clever features and exciting surprises.

Our Room

Split into four living areas, the suite begins in the lounge room, appointed with luxurious leather furniture and a coffee table in white marble and warm copper. It also has the biggest TV we’ve seen in a hotel room.

Next is the dining room and minibar. A table and chairs are set up in front of one of the building’s signature curved windows, which architect Angelo Candalepas of Candalepas Associates designed to reference the brick arched windows of the heritage building next door.

Also in this room are the beautifully leather-finished wardrobes that hide a multitude of surprises.

Behind one door is a state-of-the-art Nespresso machine with designer espresso cups and a drawer of elegant stemware. Behind another is the bar fridge, though this is sadly empty apart from milk.

Another wardrobe provides plenty of hanging space, another has more drawers that contain the room’s safe, and impressively, rather than the usual hairdryer and iron, a clothes steamer and hair straighteners. Nice touch.

The bedroom, which is separated by twin pocket doors that slide dramatically across the doorway, is dominated by a wonderfully comfortable king bed, hugged by a sleek leather bedhead.

This bedhead houses touch panels that control the lights and also the curtains, which is quite cool. There are more of these panels on walls around the suite.

We also note that the bedside power points take not only regular plugs but USB and USB-C jacks too.

There’s also a tablet by the bed that controls everything from the TV, lights and thermostat to ordering room service and setting the do not disturb.

Finally, the bathroom opens off the bedroom to a twin vanity and lovely Appelles toiletries. To the left is the toilet door, but to the right is the spacious shower with rainfall and regular heads in gleaming copper finishes.

But it’s through the next door that really surprises.

In its own dedicated space is a bath tub so deep and sumptuous you half expect Venus to rise from the bubbles and claim it as her own.

And the piece de resistance: the mirror in front of the bath hides a TV screen that is only visible when you turn it on. Very slick.

Porter House Hotel – MGallery’s Cellar Door

Rather than have your run-of-the-mill hotel lobby bar, the Porter House has done something brilliant.

This is Bread And Wine, the cellar door for Handpicked, a winery that crafts wine from the best growing regions in Australia and around the world.

You can sit and have a wine tasting or enjoy a whole bottle, just like a regular cellar door. And having a space in this beautiful 19th Century building, with its vaulted ceilings and exposed beams, makes the experience even more evocative.

The cellar door has a range of wine flights you can choose from like ‘Chardonyay!’, which gives you four different Chardonnays to try, and ‘Rarely Single’, which is a showcase of Handpicked’s most sought-after wines.

You can also add a cheese pairing to go with each wine, and there are charcuterie boards you can order if you feel like a bit more to eat.

Click here to go back up.

Seasonal Events

The Porter House runs regular seasonal events and specials that are fun. For our winter getaway, we enjoy the Red Affair package.

Along with our lovely room, we get a ‘Quick and the Red’ wine flight and cheese pairing, which includes generous pours of four Handpicked reds — the perfect salve to winter’s chill.

This offer is for one person; an additional wine flight and cheese pairing will be at extra cost.

Health and Fitness

Upstairs on the roof, you’ll find the well-equipped gym. One whole wall is a folding glass door, which means you can work out in the open air.

Round the corner is a narrow lap pool if you feel like a dunk.

The Cafe

As well as breakfast options in Dixson & Son on level 1, the ground floor also has the Porter House Grounds cafe if you just want a quick coffee and croissant to get your morning going.

The Porter House Hotel – MGallery is an ideal place to stay in Sydney whether you’re visiting or on a staycation.

We stayed at the Porter House Hotel as media guests, but our experiences and opinions remain our own.

The post Sydney Staycation — Porter House Hotel – MGallery appeared first on Mr and Mrs Romance.

Most cities around the world spoil you for choice with their hotel options, but only a few offer something really special. So before you book any old place to stay, remember that this isn’t going to be just somewhere to base yourself to explore the city.

It’s more than just a place to rest your head.

And it’s where you can really dial up the romance factor and look for somewhere really unique to stay.

Check out our video walkthrough of Pullman Sydney Hyde Park’s Park Suite by Coco Republic.

This suite overlooking Sydney’s Hyde Park has had a designer makeover from Coco Republic to create true luxury in the best location.

The Park Suite by Coco Republic

High up on the 20th floor, the grand double doors to the Park Suite open onto a sophisticated yet welcoming apartment.

From the outset, you know this is a room several cuts above the average hotel room.

Aside from the separate living room, kitchenette and spa bath adjoining the bedroom – and the astonishing views across Sydney’s favourite park of course, it’s the details in the styling that Coco Republic, has brought to the room that make the difference.

Most striking is the feather-leaf structure of the Mulbery Pendant chandelier, suspended above the glass dining table.

It sets the tone for the rest of the suite.

Artworks on muted grey-tone walls, ornamental objects on stingray hide patterned furniture and beautiful lighting from this icon of Australian interior design create a sense of finesse and quality.

With the use of detail and design the Park Suite by Coco Republic is a unique space in the hotel, but that’s not to take anything alway from the Pullman Sydney Hyde Park.

Making the most of the Park Suite by Coco Republic

To be honest, we were in a quandary once we’d finished making ourselves at home in this beautiful suite.

With Surry Hills, Darlinghurst, Chinatown, Potts Point and the CBD literally at our feet, Christina and I were very tempted to go exploring, hunt out a few new bars, check out some dinner options.

But this room really is the perfect romantic getaway.

Promising ourselves another trip to the city soon, we bunkered down and made the most of this suite.

It’s one of those places that the more you look, the more you find, from fun gold lobster and thumbs-up ornaments to tribal bowls, statement furniture and the detail in the soft furnishings.

And of course there’s the spa bath to enjoy too.

Dinner options

There’s something about room service that really makes a stay in a beautiful hotel room even better. And the menu at the Pullman Sydney Hyde Park is as extensive as it is tempting – everything from pizzas to beef rib bourguignon, fish and chips to laksa.

And the quality coming from the kitchen doesn’t disappoint either.

Christina decided to try the 300g beef sirloin, which was well-cooked and came with broccolini, the creamiest mash and a side of béarnaise.

I have an affliction that, whenever I have room service, I have to try the house club sandwich. Every hotel does it slightly differently (the Pullman club sandwich has fried egg in it!) and the history to this room service stalwart is fascinating.

The sandwich also comes with wonderfully crunchy hot chips.

We also decided to try the Pullman’s pleasingly generous cheese platter, which has thick wedges of cheddar and blue cheese – both Australian – and plenty of crackers, dried fruit and nuts.

With the final morsel of cheese gone, we settled down on the comfy sofa in front of the 55” smart TV, we pretended this place, with its incredible views and decadent decor, was ours.

Other features of the Pullman Sydney Hyde Park

With its impressive entrance on College Street across the road from the Anzac Memorial, the Pullman Sydney Hyde Park has a modern, high-end feel. The three-storey light feature, which hangs through atria into the lobby, and the beautiful flower display at the bottom, break up the big reception area.

Also on the ground floor is Bar Thirty6 while upstairs on level one is Windows on the Park Restaurant, where breakfast is served daily.

But it’s the roof that has the real wow factor.

As well as the fully equipped gym, which has amazing panoramas out across the city, this is where the hotel pool is.

Looking down on Hyde Park and far out over the city’s skyline, the pool also has views east over Surry Hills and Darlinghurst to the harbour, Rose Bay and its neighbours.

Even for those not staying in the Pullman’s exquisite Park Suite, this pool and sundeck make staying at this hotel special.

But after a languid dip in the fresh air and watching the sun dip orange and ruby behind the buildings, being able to slink into your designer room and soak up the view in such luxury makes for a truly memorable city stay.

We stayed as media guests of the Pullman Sydney Hyde Park. Our opinions remain our own.

The post How to lift your romanic staycation game – Pullman Sydney Hyde Park’s designer suite appeared first on Mr and Mrs Romance.

This article has been written in partnership with Hotels.com

We’ve said it before, but Christina and I love a staycation. Playing the visitor in our hometown really appeals to us. Plus if you forget to pack something, you can just nip home for it!

Sydney probably has more than its fair share of exceptional hotels. So – with our wedding anniversary coming up – finding a stay in the city to celebrate has been a priority.

But then again, we’re always on the lookout for a chance for a fun staycation in Sydney.

If you’re on the hunt for a celebratory staycation spot or you’re visiting Sydney and want a shortlist of the good stuff, keep reading.

We’ve put together a list of what we think are the best hotels for romance and style in Sydney. And if you book online, there are plenty of savings to be made.

7 romantic city stays for a special Sydney getaway

1. West Hotel Curio Collection

65 Sussex St, Sydney

Perfectly located on the reverse side of Darling Harbour and close enough to Chinatown to walk to dinner, the West Hotel is a great option for a fun night in the city. It’s part of the Hilton Group, but there’s nothing of the cookie-cutter corporate in this hotel.

Rooms are interesting and comfortable, and management here have an eye for design and bespoke. A recent initiative with Australian designers and floral decorators saw one of the rooms in the West Hotel transformed into an incredible forest scene, where you could Sleep Amongst Botanics.

The restaurant and bar – Solander – at the West Hotel is also excellent, with a confident food menu and elegant lighting to make for a romantic date night dinner.

Check prices for West Hotel Curio Collection here.

2. Skye Suites Sydney

300 Kent St, Sydney

Skye Suites are the quiet achievers in hotel terms. This suite-only hotel chain and its purpose-built properties are hiding in plain sight all over the place. The Skye Suites Sydney is right in the heart of the city.

The design of this hotel is beautiful, with comfortable rooms that are perfect for a romantic weekend – or a much longer stay if you’re visiting for a while.

But it’s really the subterranean pool that makes this hotel sing. Designed by award-winning architect Koichi Takada, the white fins across the ceiling and down the wall give the room a mysterious, luxe feel.

Check prices for Skye Suites Sydney here.

3. Sheraton Grand Sydney Hyde Park

161 Elizabeth St, Sydney

Recently upgraded, this Sheraton is now officially Sydney’s first ‘Grand’ hotel, and the title comes with lavish touches to make any stay here amazing.

Views out over Hyde Park and the city are unparalleled. And the decadence of the rooms, bars and restaurants inside this hotel make the Sheraton Grand Sydney Hyde Park very worthy of a romantic stay.

Check prices for Sheraton Grand Hyde Park Sydney here.

4. Little Albion Guest House

21 Little Albion St, Surry Hills, Sydney

Tucked away in the laneways of Surry Hills, the Little Albion boutique guesthouse is a cosy home from home. Each of the rooms and suites is individually styled and decorated, and finer touches like the T2 tea, help-yourself Nespresso machine and Molten Brown toiletries make this little place quite special.

There’s even an honesty-system cocktail bar in the lobby where you can mix your own drinks, then jot down your room number and what you’ve taken.

For our video walkthrough look at the Little Albion Guest House, click here.

Although the Little Albion is made up of a converted school house and church from the 1900s, inside is a blend of elegant 1920s chic and 1970s glamour. It’s a beautiful spot and perfect for romance.

Check prices for Little Albion Guest House (now Crystalbrook Albion) here.

5. Four Seasons Sydney

199 George St, The Rocks, Sydney

The Four Seasons is in the ultimate Sydney location. Close to Circular Quay, the Rocks and the city’s bar district, you’ve got so much on your doorstep here. Plus, if you choose your room well, you get an iconic view out over the Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House.

As well as exclusive use of the rooftop pool, you also have access to one of our favourite bars in the city Grain, plus the hotel’s excellent restaurant Mode.

Mode also acts as the hotel’s breakfast restaurant, which is well worth getting out of bed for. Check out our full review of the Four Seasons Sydney here.

Check prices for Four Seasons Sydney here.

6. The Langham

89-113 Kent St, Millers Point, Sydney

Long listed as one of Sydney’s premium hotels, the Langham in its discreet situation is a haven for style and sophistication. Sandwiched between Observatory Hill and Barangaroo, its Rocks location means you’re tucked away for a very intimate, secluded staycation.

Talking of sandwiches, the Langham’s club sandwich is a national-best award-winner – as is much of its food. The restaurants and bars here are luxuriant, refined and beautiful.

And for beauty and relaxation, the Langham’s subterranean sanctuary Day Spa by Chuan is unbelievable.

Check prices for The Langham here.

7. Park Hyatt Sydney

7 Hickson Rd, The Rocks, Sydney

The Park Hyatt Sydney is in that Venn diagram sweet spot of a being luxury hotel, a waterfront property and being centrally located in the heart of Sydney city.

Its bar and restaurant look out over Campbell’s Cove, which leads on to unprecedented views of the Opera House and Circular Quay. Meanwhile, the Harbour Bridge looms over your left shoulder as you look out at Sydney Harbour.

Rooms have that elegant, low-key luxury you get in a sophisticated, top-class hotel, and every room has its own private balcony.

But up on the Park Hyatt’s roof – quite literally its crowning glory – is the hotel pool. Daybeds, loungers and the pool itself look down on the harbour and Sydney Opera House. Quite a place for a dip.

Check prices for Park Hyatt Sydney here.

Having too many options for where to stay in Sydney is a great problem to have. Each one of these places offers all the romance and luxury you could hope for – either as a beautiful staycation or for an out-of-town visitor seeking something special.

In this situation there’s no such thing as being spoilt for choice – how could any of these hotels possibly spoil anything?

The post 7 romantic city stays for a special Sydney getaway appeared first on Mr and Mrs Romance.

Surry Hills – arguably Sydney’s coolest suburb – sits right on the gap between the city and Sydney’s Eastern suburbs towards the coast. It’s the part of Sydney that we called home for over a decade, and so it holds a place close to our hearts.

From gritty urban to gentrified urbane, Surry Hills has seen a great deal of rapid changes in recent years.

And the days of Surry Hills’ gloomy, derelict past still fray the hems of its well-tailored present-day outfit. It’s probably this edge that has made this particular suburb so very likeable.

For a long time, it was the undiscovered cool part of Sydney – but now pretty much everybody knows about it.

That hasn’t stopped it being cool. In fact, there are more small bars cafes and restaurants opening up than ever before.

However, the one thing Surry Hills was missing for a long time was somewhere to stay that fit the rest of this eminent suburb’s hipster aesthetic.

Now alongside the coolest bars and restaurants in Sydney, some of the coolest boutique hotels are popping up.

One of these spots is the Little Albion Guest House.

Take a look around as we walk you through with our video.

Little Albion Guest House

Visiting the Little Albion Guest House feels like you’ve been let in on a local secret. There are no signs to it and as you walk down a tiny alley, you’ll see a small gate that belies the true scale and design to be found inside.

With a mix of 1920s glamour and 1970s boheme, Little Albion Guest House is the perfect boutique hotel that fits into the Surry Hills persona as if it’s always been here.

Melding the old with the new, the architects have created a perfect blend from the old school yard and church buildings on the southern side to the new buildings on the northern side.

And although the design is very cool, the welcome is very warm as we arrive. The Little Albion still manages to give that comfort of a home away from home.

The rooms

There’s a range of different room types spread out across the buildings – from small crash pads for a night in the city to the Little Albion’s suite ‘Big Albion’, where you can relax and stay for longer.

Our Standard Room had a large bed, a generous bathroom with a beautiful freestanding bath and stunning rain shower, and one of the biggest TVs we’ve seen in a hotel room.

As well as looking good, our standard room is functions beautifully too. A lot of care has gone into the details here and it shows.

There’s enough space in our room to relax and work too. Amenities include a robe and slippers, sweet treats from Whisk & Pin, T2 tea and a Kitchenaid kettle.

Service and facilities

From where you check in, there’s a sunken lounge in the lobby area and a small patio outside where guests can also relax.

There’s also a beautiful little rooftop terrace, where you can even see our old home from! The wrought iron furniture gives the space a pretty Parisian summer feel.

Downstairs you’ll find an espresso machine, free to use any time of day as well as the cutest honour bar. Set up like a local small bar’s mixologist station, you can craft a cocktail or if you’re feeling lazy, you can pour out one of the bottled pre-mix cocktails from the fridge.

Alternatively, grab some wine or a local craft beer and relax downstairs or take them back up to your room.

The neighbourhood

Once you’re all checked in, you can exit directly onto Albion street or sidle through the side lane of Little Albion St, and then you’ve got Sydney’s best cafes, bars and restaurants in walking distance.

If you’re not sure where to go, the hotel will happily share some insider knowledge from their ever-increasing list of uber-cool venues to wine, dine and unwind. But for our sake, you should stop in at our old local, The Royal Albert, and try some great Aussie craft beers and sample their drool-worthy dumplings and burgers.

Little Albion Guest House

21 Little Albion Street
Surry Hills, Sydney

We’re thrilled to see the standard of accommodation in Surry Hills grow and whether you’re a leisure traveller or in Sydney for business, the Little Albion Guest House is in a brilliant spot.

We’re big fans of staycations and love playing tourist in our own city. There was something so cool and comforting being back in our old stomping ground Surry Hills that you feel like a local.

We’re adding the Little Albion Guest House to our list of where to stay in Sydney and we definitely recommend you check it out the next time you’re looking to stay in town.

And if you wanted to make it one of the most spectacular stays, it’s possible to rent the entire place out. You can book The House out either directly or via a world-first collaboration with AirBnB.

We could imagine hiring the whole building for an epic anniversary party or a special birthday where all of your guests could party into the night.

Do you love a staycation in your own city? Is a visit to Sydney on your bucket list?

The post Where to stay in Sydney – Little Albion Guest House, Surry Hills appeared first on Mr and Mrs Romance.

When it comes to staycations, you’re always likely to be a bit more critical of where you’re staying. You know the area, you know the people and your expectations tend to be a little higher than if you were staying somewhere new.

So for our stay in the Four Seasons Sydney, we had our microscopes out ready to inspect one of Sydney’s most premium hotels.

Four Seasons Sydney, Mode restaurant and Grain Bar

Like all good hotels, the Four Seasons Sydney isn’t just about the hotel; its new restaurant Mode, and whisky and cocktail bar Grain complete the experience.

Here’s what to expect when you stay and dine at the Four Seasons Sydney:

Four Seasons Sydney – location

If it’s convenience you’re looking for, it doesn’t get much better than the Four Seasons Sydney. In a quick walk, you’ve got the CBD, Circular Quay train station and main ferry terminal, and best of all, The Rocks.

The Rocks is the oldest part of Sydney and has some amazing pubs and historic buildings to check out. There’s also a great market here at the weekend that’s a must-see.

Four Seasons Sydney – our hotel room

We were lucky enough to be staying in one of the hotel’s Junior Suites overlooking Sydney Harbour.

The Junior Suite is everything you’d expect from a world-class hotel: stylish yet professional. Plus there’s that understated luxury of space that makes all the difference: the room is 570ft² (53m²), an enormous, comfy bed and a well-equipped neatly-appointed spacious bathroom.

And of course there’s the view. Being able to see both the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House at the same time is very special. Waking up to this view is almost as impressive as going to sleep to it.

Seeing the comings and goings of the ferries from Circular Quay and feeling the city thriving beneath you is amazing.

Pro tips

– Room 15 on each level has the harbour view.
– Although the hotel provides ‘multilingual’ power adapters, there are no USB charging points in the room. However, you can plug into the USB point at the back of the room’s (pleasingly large) smart TV.
– Bring your swimmers – the rooftop pool and bar area is pretty cool and not to be missed.

Four Seasons Sydney – Mode Kitchen and Bar

Many top hotels have restaurants attached to them, and room service as standard. However, the newly established Mode Kitchen and Bar is where the Four Seasons Sydney shifts gears to nose in front of its competitors.

It has also changed how we feel about hotel restaurants, which are usually only there for busy people on work trips or guests who don’t feel like going too far from their room.

But Mode, discreetly at the back of the hotel’s grand lobby, is a dining experience in its own right. In fact, a large number of the diners here are not guests of the Four Seasons.

The elegant 1920s feel to the place makes you quickly forget you’re a few steps from the hotel’s front desk. The only thing to remind you that you are is the level of service here that mirrors the Four Seasons brand.

From the moment we walked in, manager Simone made us feel incredibly welcome, and our Italian waiters Alessio and Stefan gave the meal an authentic impression. In fact, Mrs Romance brought a tear to Alessio’s eye when she chatted with him in Italian.

As for our meals, here’s the playlist:

Entrées

– Beef tartare – tender, wholesome, spectacular texture and plating – especially with such a difficult food to make look good
– Zucchini flowers – perfect balance of textures with crispy pancetta and creamy ricotta
– Kingfish sashimi – macadamias, marinated red onions, sultanas, olive oil – light, fresh and generous plate. It’s understandable why this is a signature dish here.

Mains

– Lamb shoulder, Japanese eggplant and sticky thyme glaze – the eggplant is almost liquid it’s so well cooked and the lamb falls apart as your fork touches it.
– Yellow fin tuna, seared cos lettuce, fresh peas and radish – the tuna transcends what meat tastes like – not like fish, not like chicken, pork or red meat; tender, flavourful and fresh. Your knife simply sinks in as you cut. Perfect.

Desserts

Desserts here are good, but I wouldn’t say the best part of the restaurant.

– Dark chocolate delice & raspberry sorbet – worth getting just for the sorbet.
– Lemon tart – fresh and zingy yet good sweetness. The pastry was a little soft but sweet.

By the way, if you stay in the hotel, you get to eat in Mode Kitchen and Bar anyway. Breakfast is served here, and it’s bloody excellent!

Pro tips

– Mode has a pretty good cocktail list, but if you see a cocktail on Grain’s menu next door, Mode can get it for you.
– Grain also does some amazing desserts that are well worth thinking about rather than Mode’s.

Four Seasons Sydney – Grain Bar

Beautifully lit and artfully styled, Grain fools everyone who comes here into thinking it’s an independent small bar of the likes of Eau de Vie in Darlinghurst or even Baxter’s in the city.

It certainly doesn’t feel like any hotel bar I’ve ever been to. And according to Bar Manager Roderick Boerma, the majority of his patrons are walk-ins and not hotel guests.

Meanwhile, the staff are all invested in the drinks they make and the food they serve, and treat everyone with the same high level of professionalism.

The bar itself is impressively stocked with mainstream and Aussie craft spirits, beer and wine to accommodate all tastes.

Clever use of timber and leather decorate the bar and the interior, and provides those soft surfaces to reduce unpleasant acoustics. The well-chosen music is kept at that perfect level.

And the lighting is so forgiving that if you don’t use this place as a date night, you’re missing an opportunity.

In fact, the only sign that this bar is part of a hotel is you can room-charge your tab when you’re ready to leave.

Pro tips

– Talk to the bar staff about what drink you like and do not overlook their signature drinks. The Mr Watson No.2 is exceptional and the My Life Is A Movie is one of the most complex cocktails I’ve ever drunk. It’s like you’re drinking a popcorn cocktail.
– Check out the food menu – the desserts are insanely good, but so are the savoury dishes. If you don’t feel like a sit-down dinner at Mode, Grain will certainly have something to satisfy you.
– Score a seat at the balcony overlooking the street for some awesome people watching and also the ability to spy out the rest of the room while you drink.

Staying at the Four Seasons is something everyone should experience at least once. It really is wonderful. It would make that special occasion even more special.

Even just dinner here for a long-awaited date night is something special. In fact, dinner here and then a surprise stay in the hotel would be a pretty romantic thing to do.

But even if you just pop in to Grain for a quick drink one evening, you’ll see that this is more than just a hotel. It’s a special part of Sydney.

Have you had a hotel bar or restaurant that surprised you? Tell us about it in the comments.

We stayed and dined as guests of Four Seasons Sydney

The post Four Seasons in one day – Sydney’s ultimate staycation location appeared first on Mr and Mrs Romance.

Just because you’re spending time with your partner doesn’t mean it’s quality time, which is the important thing. Because Mrs Romance and I work together, we spend most days with each other.

But we realised that we’re still lacking good quality romantic time together. Those times when we step away from the house, stop talking about all the everyday things and find time to connect.

Usually we tend to think this only happens when we’re on a holiday. We think we need a lot of time away to create that environment. But a simple night away on the weekend with a romantic staycation in your own city is all it can take.

That one night’s staycation helps you to switch off and can make it feel like you’ve been away for longer. There’s no stress of travel and not much to plan.

Here are our five tips for organising a romantic staycation that will feel better than a weeklong holiday.

How to have the perfect romantic staycation

1. Pick a great hotel

You’re only staying one night, so you can afford to pay a little bit more. Most city hotels are busier Monday to Friday so you can negotiate a great rate for a Saturday night, so it’s a win-win.

Pro tip:

Booking last minute can often result in some good discounts. Check out this mobile-only app called Hotel Tonight that offers unique last-minute discounts in hotels across the globe.

2. Ask for a late check out

Again, city hotels aren’t as busy at the weekend, so you’re more likely to be able to keep your room for longer on the Sunday. A sleep-in is the ultimate way to recharge. There’s nothing better than coming back from your hotel breakfast buffet to be able to get back into bed and relax for a few extra hours.

Pro tip:

If there’s no late check out or if you want to stick around longer – get the hotel to hold your bags for you so you can spend the rest of the day out and about.

3. Plan your activities together

You might love museums but your partner wants to be out in nature, so try and find a compromise. It’s only overnight so don’t feel like you have to overload your schedule either.

Pro tip:

Check with your hotel’s concierge or website. Many hotels have affiliated offers with local attractions. See what discounts might be available through the hotel.

4. Enjoy the perks of a hotel concierge

If you’re booking a good hotel, one of the perks is a great concierge. Tell them it’s the special occasion and ask for their help and advice to organise something special for Saturday night. They can get tables at booked out restaurants and tickets to sold out shows so you don’t need to worry about anything.

Pro tip:

Top quality hotels often have an executive level too. You might be able to upgrade (in places like Bangkok they love upgrading you to this level). Executive levels have things like express check in and check out, and also even better connections than the regular concierge.

5. Treat yourself

Check in to the hotel as early as you can and make an appointment with the hotel spa for a massage – for both of you of course. A massage will ensure you feel relaxed right from the start and really make the most of your 24-hour staycation.

Pro tip:

Even if it’s too early to check in, you should be able to book a treatment before your room’s ready. Not a bad way to start your staycation!

If you are in Sydney, here’s our list of our favourite hotels to stay or you can often find lots of savings on local hotels by searching through hotels.com.

If you’ve never had a staycation before, be spontaneous and book a stay for next weekend. Your partner will love it and so will you!

Don’t forget to play tourist in your own city as well – here are our tips for that!

Have you ever tried going on staycation? How did you find it? Tell us in the comments!

The post How to have the perfect romantic staycation appeared first on Mr and Mrs Romance.

A key element to life in Sydney is its beaches. We’re lucky enough to have some of the best in the country – if not the world – right on our doorstep.

TV shows like Bondi Rescue and Bondi Vet have made this fashionable spot in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney even more famous, and the surf, suntan and sexy culture of Bondi makes this one of the best people-watching spots to come to in the whole city.

But is there enough to do here for a whole day? Taking up the challenge, we’ve put together our guide to spending 24 hours in Bondi.

24 hours in Bondi

Breakfast:

Trio Café
Right on Campbell Parade at the south end of Bondi Beach, this is the perfect spot to soak up the view whilst munching down some of the delicious Mediterranean and Middle Eastern food they serve here.

If you’re feeling super hungry, go for the corn fritters. They’re enormous and delicious.

After breakfast:

Surf School 
As the old saying goes, ‘when in Bondi, surf.’ And if you’re a newbie to the coolest looking sport there is, why not learn how at the coolest beach?

Let’s Go Surfing is based at North Bondi – the much more laid back and local end of the beach and will have you taking to the waves before you know it. If you’ve got longer to spend at Bondi, you can even book a tour with these guys to get to know this cool suburb a bit better.

Lunch:

Bondi Icebergs Club 
A real local icon, Icebergs is a classic local hangout. The club bar looks out over the beach from the south end, and its saltwater pool on the water is one of the most photographed sights of the beach.

The club is very laidback, but the food and service are as good as the view. If you want to go more up-market, the restaurant and bar upstairs is slick and has a price point to prove it. But it delivers to the highest standards. Definitely an alternative option for dinner if you’re here for a special occasion.

After lunch:

Bondi coastal walk
The coastline around Bondi is striking and dramatic, and perfect for a post-meal stroll. You can walk all the way to Coogee Beach if you want to, though I’d probably stop at Bronte before turning back.

Once a year Sculpture by The Sea takes over this coastal walk and crowds of people flock to see the creativity lining the rocks. It’s an amazing sight so if you time it right, this is definitely something not to miss.

Shopping:

Bondi has some great shops right on Campbell Parade. Plus there’s a market here every weekend.

Make sure you don’t miss Aquabumps Gallery at 151 Curlewis St. These guys have been giving surfers the heads-up on the swell since 1999 and their shots of the beach are superb.

Dinner:

Bondi Hardware
Tucked away down Hall Street, Bondi’s busiest street for restaurants, Bondi Hardware is dark and moody, and serves up treat after treat in with industrial chic. It does get pretty busy here though, so make sure you book.

Bill’s
Another Sydney institution, Bill Granger’s mini-chain of great café restaurants is an easy choice. The Bondi venue (there are 2 others in Sydney and several other iterations internationally) is bright, clean-cut and sophisticatedly simple.

Dessert:

If you’ve still got room after dinner or you’ve saved a space for sweets, here are two options to finish your night off with a sugar hit.

Gelato Messina 
First opening in Darlinghurst in 2002, this ice-creamery now has over a dozen venues in Sydney, across the country and internationally. Pick your favourite flavour, choose a cup or a cone and stroll down to the beach to see the ocean in the moonlight.

Papa’s
Pasticceria Papa – or Papa’s to locals – has been going since the Haberfield store opened in 1988. The delicious Italian cakes, pastries, pies and biscuits to eat here are awesome. I just want to smash my face into their baked ricotta cake every time I see it!

Where to stay:

QT Bondi
Opening in December 2015 on the sight of the old Swiss Grand in North Bondi is the QT Bondi. True to form, this sexy limb of the QT brand is beautifully designed and very cute indeed.

The rooms are spacious and generously appointed, and they’ve nailed attention to detail – as always with QT. As the front of the building has been turned into residential apartments, the hotel rooms don’t face the ocean, but the balconies and detail inside the rooms keeps your attention.

The next day:

Power Living, Bondi
Make up for all the overindulging the day before with morning yoga with Power Living. The yoga studios here are spacious only a minute or two from the beach. Check the schedule for heated and non-heated yoga options.

Breakfast:

Porch and Parlour
You can’t get much more Bondi than this place. Very easy-going, the essence of beachy and staff who make being cool look easy. The food at this tiny North Bondi café is excellent – plus you’re guaranteed to find a healthy option here if you’re still full from the night before.

They also serve lunch and dinner here, which is something to keep in mind for other meals while you’re here. This is our favourite café in Bondi, so don’t miss it.

If you’ve got longer in Sydney or you want to see more than just Bondi, check out our guide to 24 hours in Sydney.

Do you have any other tips for visiting Bondi? Do you have a favourite beach you go to? Tell us in the comments!

Images by Mrs Romance using an OM-D E-M5 mark II Olympus camera. As part of our recent stay in Bondi, we were guests of Destination NSW.

The post What to do when you’ve only got 24 hours in Bondi appeared first on Mr and Mrs Romance.

Q Station – only 20 minutes from Sydney CBD – is a unique proposition. It’s close enough to be a city break, yet so tucked away and secret you could be 100 miles from home.

Located up the top of North Head in Manly, Q Station is part of the Sydney Harbour National Park. This means no unauthorised vehicles are allowed inside the 30-hectare property and the natural beauty of the area is stunning.

It’s also protected by the National Heritage Trust, so everything you see has been maintained to its original state. The whole area – from the grounds you explore to the buildings you sleep in – is as it was during its 150 years as a quarantine station. Minus the infectious deadly diseases of course!

Here’s what we discovered on our recent visit to this iconic piece of Sydney’s history.

Q Station Retreat

Accommodation

There are 4 types of rooms at Q Station – though there may be more coming with another block soon to be built.

Heritage Room & Suites, Deluxe Room & Suites, Historic Cottages, and Retreat Suites.

Rates start at $199 per room.

We stayed in one of the Retreat Suites, which are located in the old isolation area. As you’d expect, this is the quietest, most secluded part of Q Station – just how we like it!

The Retreat Suites also come with access to your own private lounge area, which has a deck looking out over the Harbour towards the city and the sunset.

Because the rooms have all been kept as original as possible, the fixtures and fittings do feel a bit tired, and there’s no air con, only ceiling fans and windows (with screens).

Mrs Romance and I talked about this because we didn’t know if it was a sticking point or not. We came to the conclusion that you don’t come to somewhere like Q Station for luxury apartment living. You come here for the uniqueness of the location, the history and the seclusion. It’s all about the experience. And to have all of this so close to the city is incredible.

Dining

There are 3 places to eat at Q Station, and all of them are now under the control of the charismatic and artfully skilled Executive Chef Matt Kemp. His style is well-known to be focused on fresh, domestic produce in simple dishes packed with flavour.

Views Restaurant offers a very satisfying buffet breakfast daily – though coffee can be tricky to find.

Engine Room Bar down near the beach has a very chilled vibe if you’re looking for relaxing lunch, dinner or drinks options. The bar has been set up where the boilers are that sent hot water to the autoclaves, showers and laundry rooms back in the day.

Boilerhouse Restaurant and Bar has a more formal vibe, though it’s still relaxed and friendly. The food menu here is to die for and the wine list has been expertly chosen.

Lunch and dinner are only available Thursday to Sunday here but even if you’re not staying at Q Station overnight, these venues make for an excellent dinner option – especially for a romantic night out.

Things to do

There are so many things to do at Q Station if you’re somehow bored of relaxing on the secluded beach or on your sundeck.

• Swim and snorkel off the beach – there are turtles and stingray right by the wharf. You can hire snorkels at the museum café or bring your own. Beach towels are also available at reception free of charge.
• Hire bikes to explore the area (ask at reception).
• Kayaking and SUPing (book at reception).
• Yoga on the beach with FlowmOcean (book at reception).
• History tour – there’s so much to Q Station, even just around the wharf area. I could write a whole other post just one what I learnt from the tour we did – I’d need a fact check though!
• Ghost tour – over 500 people died at Q Station of various sicknesses, including the Black Plague. As a result, Q Station is said to be one of the most haunted places in Australia.

The ghost tours are not only the spookiest but the most dynamic way of learning about the history of the place… though if you’ve got a nervous disposition, beware!

Where is it?

It’s only 20 minutes from Circular Quay by ferry. The Eco Hopper ships take you straight to Quarantine Station Wharf, which is also where the new arrivals would have docked before being processed.

Alternatively it’s only a 5-minute taxi ride from Manly or the 135 bus takes you to reception.

You can drive to Q Station, but you need to park at reception and have the complimentary Q Station shuttle bus take you around.

Why come here?

For escaping the city, you can’t get much better than this. And if you’re coming here for romance too, Q Station is totally a double win.

If you want to spend a weekend with a few close friends, this place is perfect.

And if you want to show some out-of-towners a completely different side to Sydney, you’re onto a winner – especially as it’s so close to the city.

Q Station Retreat

North Head Scenic Drive
Manly
2095

W: QStation.com.au
Fb: @QStationManly
IG: @qstation

Check out our other recommendations for escapes from Sydney here and for more Sydney staycation inspiration, click here.

Where do you go to get away from all the craziness? Is there a secret spot you love about your hometown? Tell us in the comments!

Images by Mrs Romance using an Olympus OM-D E-M5 mark II camera. We stayed as guests of Q Station.

The post Q Station Retreat, Manly – the bush getaway in the city appeared first on Mr and Mrs Romance.