By Yvonne Yorke

Westin Sydney,
No. 1 Martin Place,
Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia,
Tel: (61-2) 8223-1222
Toll-free in US and Canada: (800) 937-8461
Email: westin.sydney@westin.com
www.starwoodhotels.com

Many brand-name hotels are cookie-cutter properties that look pretty much the same anywhere in the world, so I was surprised and delighted when I first set eyes on the Westin Sydney. This award-winning, five-star property is part of the redevelopment of the historic General Post Office (GPO) in the city’s bustling central business district, and is surrounded by fashionable restaurants, designer boutiques, theaters, and nightlife.

The General Post Office building first opened in 1874 on Martin Place - an Italian-style pedestrian piazza, and a striking (no pun intended) clock tower was erected beside it six years later. No other building in Sydney was, or is, as richly adorned – ornate capitals, decorative carvings, and sculptures embellish its exterior, while carved heads representing a country or an Australian State grace the center of every archway of the vaulted colonnade. The immense scale of the GPO building was meant to be an inspiring symbol of prosperity for the city, and to reaffirm the power of the British Empire. The latter is powerfully communicated with a statue of Queen Victoria majestically enthroned in a baroque-style niche over the Martin Place entrance, while at her feet are two figures representing Britannia and New South Wales.

After a three year, AU$700 million restoration, this Sydney landmark and adjacent hotel and office towers were unveiled on September 1999. Sydneysiders and visitors alike were thrilled to see that many of the interior features were exquisitely preserved, and that much of the original woodwork had survived. The 1887 banking chamber looks as opulent now as it did over 100 years ago. Countless hours had been devoted to the detailed work of applying gold leaf to the hundreds of small coffers with their plant motifs of thistles, and Australian waratah flowers. Through the polished cedar and curved glass front doors, the grand staircase leading from the main entrance of the GPO has been returned to its former glory, and is the best example of a mid-Victorian ‘imperial’ staircase in Sydney.

Perhaps the building’s most dramatic feature is the 11,000 square feet courtyard at No. 1 Martin Place, which is lit by sunlight streaming through the 80-feet high, arched overhead glass canopy. The entire GPO courtyard as well as the clock tower can be viewed from one of the bridges that span from the hotel to the first, second and fourth floors of the GPO building.

The No. 1 Martin Place complex is a chic gathering place for business people and sophisticated Sydneysiders. There is a health club, the Endota Day Spa, the Perry Ellis hair salon, exclusive retail shops, and the GPO food emporium boasting 14 prize-winning restaurants and bars including a cheese room and an international wine cellar. The Health Club with an aerobics hall, gym, steam rooms, and a cantilevered indoor swimming pool, is housed in the former 1899 central telephone exchange beneath a high barrel-vaulted ceiling.

Guests at the Westin Sydney have a choice of two distinctive styles of accommodations. The 50 Heritage Rooms are in the original three floors of the heritage-listed GPO building. Each distinctive room reflects their provenance with lofty ceilings, Italianate windows, antique fittings, and in some rooms, marble chimneys. Rooms are reached from other floors by the main grand stairway, and connected to the new hotel by the GPO courtyard bridges.

The rest of the hotel’s 416 rooms are housed in the modern 31-floor tower. Guestrooms and suites here are all contemporary in design, and equipped with state-of-the-art technology including a BOSE sound system, 37” flat-screen TVs, high-speed and internet access. Of course, Westin amenities such as the Heavenly Bed^®, WestinWORKOUT^®, Westin Kids Club^®, and Service Express^® are all in place. Especially inviting was the spacious bathroom with a separate rainmaker shower, and a deep soaking tub placed beside a glass wall overlooking the bedroom, which affords views of Sydney’s downtown skyline whether lounging in bed or in tub.

Each guest has access to a 24-hour business center, secretarial service, and full concierge service. In fact, the Westin Sydney has the distinction of being the only hotel in Australia to have four concierge members inducted into the prestigious Society of Les Clef d’Or Australia. The only down note of my stay, ironically, was with the newest inductee, Mr. Gary Lee. I had required some information before leaving the hotel. Since he was standing between the reception and the concierge desk, I inquired whether he was the concierge, since I wanted to make sure I was speaking with the correct staff member. Mr. Lee tapped his gold key on his uniform before rudely sneering, “That’s what this key means!” Perhaps his recent induction has gone to his head? 

I had a much more pleasant experience at the Westin’s signature restaurant, Mosaic, which sits underneath a stunning glass ceiling of the atrium overlooking the GPO courtyard. The restaurant offers an innovative menu with a distinct Mediterranean accent, and an emphasis on local Australian ingredients. On the evening I was there, I sampled an interesting mosaic seafood trilogy featuring sweet yamba prawns from New South Wales dressed in red curry, pan seared scallops with pancetta, and tempura battered flathead fish with chili, coriander, and black sesame. For desserts, you can choose from a simple but exquisitely presented berry mille feuille, or go more upscale with a blueberry trio served with 18-carat gold garnish and Belgian waffles. As embraced by Westin Hotels & Resorts worldwide, the cuisine throughout the Sydney property reflects the integration of the Superfoods concept - health-enhancing foods that are rich in antioxidants and phyto-nutrients such as the green-tea-infused salmon selection.

After my wonderful and thoroughly comfortable stay here, it’s easy to see why the Westin Sydney was awarded the inaugural 2009 Bentley for Outstanding Hotel Service by Luxury Travel Magazine, and also why it has appeared in Condé Nast Traveler's Gold List every year consecutively since 2005. For a successful melding of this city’s rich historic heritage with its vibrant cosmopolitan present, look no further than the Westin Sydney.

 

 

 

© October 2009 LuxuryWeb Magazine. All rights reserved.

 

Issue:
January
2012