Sheraton, the SPG-turned-Marriott hospitality brand, definitely isn’t the crown jewel of the Marriott fleet — especially in the U.S. In fact, most travelers would say that it doesn’t even come close to the likes of JW Marriott or even a W or a Westin. That may be the case, but there are a few Sheraton properties that definitely deserve a shoutout and one of them is located right in the heart of Sydney.  While the Sheraton Grand Sydney Hyde Park isn’t the world’s most impressive property, it just might be one of the most impressive Sheraton properties out there. Here’s my experience with this property, and why you should probably give it a chance next time you’re in Sydney.

Booking

I stayed in an executive suite during my visit, which costs 98,000 Marriott Bonvoy points with a Hyde Park view. To save a few points and go for a city view instead, the executive suite costs 81,000 points.  As a Category 5 property, standard rooms cost 35,000 points for a city view. Kick it up to 42,000 points for a Hyde Park view, or redeem 49,000 points for an executive room or 55,000 points for an executive terrace.

If you don’t have the Marriott Bonvoy points and want to pay the cash rate, the best way to book rooms at this property is with your American Express Marriott Bonvoy Card or Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card; you’ll earn 6X points for every dollar spent regardless of the credit card you may own. Another good choice is to book with a Chase Sapphire Preferred or Chase Sapphire Reserve where you’ll earn 2 or 3 Ultimate Rewards points per dollar spent, respectively. My personal pick would be to book with my Chase Sapphire Reserve Card if I was planning to pay a cash rate.

Cash rates start at a whopping $700 AUD ($480 USD) per night for an executive suite. Of course, less expensive rooms are available but tend to be booked quite a bit in advance.

Location

This property is (of course) located near Hyde Park; it flanks the northwestern edge of the park with Circular Quay just over one kilometer to the north. When I felt up for stretching my legs, I could easily weave my way through the Royal Botanic Gardens towards the Sydney Opera House; it’s a simple stroll from the property. The location is somewhat of a happy medium as it’s far enough away from the bustle of Sydney Harbour but close enough to enjoy those attractions by foot.

Check-In

Upon entering the lobby I got a mixed impression; not a good-and-bad feeling, but more of a modern-yet-storied vibe. The wood and marble pillars against the shiny gold decorations gave the lobby an air of elegance while simultaneously making me feel like I had gained access to a hip, exclusive club. I liked it.  Even without a dedicated check-in desk for guests with Marriott status, there were plenty of associates on duty and the check-in process went smoothly and quickly.

Room

When I made it up to my suite, I was greeted by a very sweet little Koala bear welcoming me to Sydney with flowers, a card, and welcome refreshments.

The suite was designed to leave as much open floor space as possible which really opened up the room and helped me discern the boundary between my “comfy” space and my “business” space.  Speaking of business space, the desk and desk chair were perfect for working on the go, which I need to do a lot of the time. But if I felt like holing up in a comfier spot, the gigantic L-shaped couch was ready and waiting for me.

The bedroom area was decorated with a similar vibe to the lobby — dark tones and sophistication while still remaining welcoming.

However, I think that my favorite part about the suite was the bathroom because it came with a glass-enclosed stand-up shower as well as a bathtub. There’s nothing I like more than soaking in a bubbly tub with a good book at the end of the day!  The bathroom also featured a huge mirror that was lit around its circumference like a makeup mirror, which is great lighting for when you really need to face yourself. It’s usually pretty hard to find decent lighting in hotel rooms, so kudos to this property for absolutely nailing it. 

Food and Beverage 

Everyone loves a good breakfast buffet, even if it’s just for the variety of cereals. But if jars of cereal and chafers of eggs aren’t your style, grab breakfast off-site then head back to Feast for lunch or dinner. This signature restaurant offers a lunch/dinner seafood buffet that is a must-try for all seafood lovers. I do recommend the breakfast buffet, though; I thought it was tasty and was a great way to jumpstart my day. And if you have Marriott Platinum status or higher, breakfast will come as an included perk of your stay. 

Facilities

Besides my lovely welcome presents, this property featured a fitness center and pool on par with most other properties. They aren’t anything to write home about, but there seemed to be plenty of space for everyone to enjoy the facilities, which is a plus. 

Bottom Line

For Sheraton, this property is surprisingly impressive and definitely deserves praise for what it has been able to accomplish with its service and hospitality. I would absolutely give it another go during my next trip to Sydney, and if you haven’t yet checked it out, you should.