StarwoodGuy: Westin Sydney

I woke up in Noosa and had a workout in the gym before a quick walk around the beach and town then jumped in an Uber for the 30 minute drive to the Sunshine Coast airport. A very relaxed airport, security was only 2 minutes but there is only one restaurant one store and no lounges, but it is very convenient for the Sunshine Coast. The Qantas 717 service was excellent for a small regional plane, with large business seats and a wonderful meal for an hour and forty minute flight. Upon landing I grabbed an Opal card or Sydney transit card which works for all buses, trains, and ferries at an automated machine then made my way on the quick fifteen minute trip to downtown. It was a short walk from St.James station in Hyde Park via the outdoor shopping street of Pitt St to the magnificent Westin Sydney.

For years I have always stayed at the Sheraton on Hyde Park which is a very good property but the last time I had stayed the staff were rude and too pretentious, though the location is wonderful. The Westin was a wonderful surprise. With a new tower atop a heritage building right on Pitt St. and Martin Place it is located right in the heart of the city and an incredibly easy walk to all main Sydney locales. I checked in quickly and went to my upgraded corner suite with stunning views, a soaker tub and rain shower. I showered and went out for a quick walk to see the Mardi Gras preparations, with the city's LGBTQ parade starting at 7:00pm. From Hyde Park all the way up Oxford St into the traditional LGBTQ area there were already plenty of people. I made it back to the hotel, had some drinks and appys in the Club Lounge which, like the Sheraton, is all done by servers. The North Americans make a dash to get their own cocktails but are politely told they will be brought to them. After I headed out into the craziness that was Sydney Mardi Gras. Years ago when I had lived in the city I had gone to the Parade but the massive crowds and support from the entire community and country had been evident in shops, billboards and with actual buildings changing their signs into rainbow patterns across Australia. I had seen it from Perth to Brisbane, a large change from the country's attitude twenty years earlier but with marriage equality having passed by referendum and subsequently approved by the government it was evidently the year to celebrate. I managed to catch a glimpse of headliner Cher before squeezing my way out of the insane crowds, having failed to meet up with friends, the crowds just too impossible to navigate, and went back to the hotel.

     The next morning I was up early and walked around the Botanic Gardens, only ten minutes from the hotel, down to the Opera House, and back to the hotel for breakfast in the Club Lounge. I then took the train to Bondi Junction and transferred to a bus to get to Bondi Beach. A packed tourist spot, Bondi is not the nicest of Australia's beaches but it is certainly popular. My favorite aspect is the coastal walk from Bondi to Coogee Beach which takes around an hour and a half and travels by several beautiful beaches. It was quite windy and busy as it was a Sunday but well worth it. Once I arrived at Coogee I jumped in an Uber and made my way back to Oxford St to visit the house I had lived on years ago and see the shops in Paddington. I then walked through Darlinghurst to Kings Cross, another area I had lived and then through the Domain and the botanic gardens to the Opera House. A friend from Canada who now lives in Melbourne met me back at the Club Lounge for coffee quickly before their flight, and after 16.5 miles of walking I had drinks in the Club Lounge and called it a night.
   The next day I was up early for a walk around the Rocks, the historic settlement area, and then around the newly renovated waterfront and piers to Darling Harbour. After a shower and breakfast in the lounge I was off again, jumping on the ferry to the Taronga Zoo, the zoo with the best view on earth. I was there at 10:00 am, with the first opening being at 9:30 am, so it was still quite empty. I managed the full zoo in two hours, took some pics of the animals, the new tiger exhibit is amazing, and then made my way back on the ferry to Circular Quay with stunning views of the harbour on the way and ran to the next dock to get the ferry to Manly. It is only a thirty minute trip on the vintage ferries and you are taken through the harbour to the first of the Northern Beaches. Manly is quite touristy but well worth a visit. I found a nice pair of board shorts on sale after my walk around the neighborhood and beach, grabbed a Starbucks iced coffee and ran back onto the ferry, with service every thirty minutes. Once back in the city I made my way to the Rocks next to Circular Quay ferry terminal and toured the Contemporary Art Museum before heading up the Harbour Bridge stairs to get a look out over the water. I turned back the same way and went around the Opera House into the botanic gardens and arrived at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, a favorite of mine from the days when I lived in Australia. Most of the galleries and museums keep with the British tradition and are free to the public which is amazing and offers accessibility to those on any budget. After a walk through I went back to the hotel just as the rain had arrived, showered, had some drinks and light appys in the lounge (the food is not as extensive as in North America- really just as intended smaller tasting menus, cheese, crackers etc but beautifully presented) and was in bed early.
     I was up the next morning at 5:00 am, had coffee in the room and then went to the hotel gym for the first time, which is in the same building but actually an impressive private club. I had a great workout though by 8:00 am it does get busy with the local crowd before they head to work. After, I went for a run through the botanic garden and up the Opera House before heading back, showering and meeting some friends for breakfast in the Club Lounge and heading on the train back to the airport. I was excited to see the First Class experience at Qantas as viewed from their flagship city. There is a small First check in area and then you use Express Path to go through expedited security, or if you have it the APEC card through the air crew line, but Air Canada had their entire crew being processed so it was quite slow, though it was nice to chat to my fellow Canadians. Once beyond security (another set of nail scissors lost to Australian security screening), I made my way to the First Lounge up the escalator just beyond the duty free shops. The lounge is amazing. Outside of the Emirates First Lounge in Dubai this is extraordinary, but I preferred this lounge, it was relaxed but with a welcoming open design, two restaurant areas, a library, and the day before your flight Qantas contacts you to confirm your in lounge spa treatment. The spa was amazing with a wonderful twenty minute service and an exceptional attendant which I followed up with a light lunch and my favorite Australia/New Zealand dessert Pavlova.
     As always Australia was amazing, but I realized on this trip that Sydney is the one city I would come back to visit or to live without question.