Four Seasons: A Luxury Kid-friendly Hotel In The Heart Of Sydney
Whoever said it’s not about the destination but the journey was, one, not heading to a luxury hotel, and two, not travelling with young children.
When it comes to holiday planning with my kids, it’s all about getting to our destination as quickly as possible. Having lived a good percentage of their lives in a pandemic (and within a 5km radius), my 3-year-old and 7-year-old adamantly believe any place that takes more than 20 minutes to get to is so far away.
So when deciding where to spoil ourselves and celebrate our ten year wedding anniversary, it was a no-brainer. Why torment ourselves with a road trip? Why add to the expense with flights to get to a hotel in another city, when we live in a beautiful one, that is currently unexplored and more open for locals to enjoy, with luxury hotels at our doorstep?
The only question left to answer was which hotel should we choose? I was unsure if a luxury and 100% kid-friendly hotel truly existed, especially when the former usually implies expensive and breakable! But boy, was I glad to be proven wrong...
The Perfect Choice
When looking around for a kid-friendly luxury hotel in Sydney, our eyes kept coming back to the Four Seasons. Located in the heart of Sydney’s CBD, literally at the doorstep to The Rocks and Circular Quay, it ticked all the boxes. 5 Stars? Lovely! ETA under 20 minutes? Perfect! Family Fun Package? Amazing!
As soon as we entered the lobby, we instantly felt something new and exciting stir in our bellies. As fancy and fabulously luxurious it looked to the eye, it felt warm and welcoming the minute we walked through the big glass doors. Nobody looked twice at Miss Three riding her Trunki up to reception: rather, both she and my son were greeted with a big smile and soft toys, the first of many complimentary gifts to come.
A Room Fit For Little Princes & Princesses
Our Premier King Room was like an illustration taken straight out of a storybook. With the Family Fun Package, there was a heavenly king bed adorned with a small mountain of fluffy white pillows, plus a beautiful kid's tent set up over a king single bed and a million-dollar view of the Sydney Opera House. It took the kids a moment or two to catch their breath before they realised that, no matter how magical those beds looked, they weren’t going to jump on themselves!
In the room, the kids found more gifts including their own bath amenities, craft activities and hotel slippers. I've never seen them more excited to have a bath, eager to try out their gifted products and languish around in their plush bathrobes. At this point, there was no question we had found the most kid-friendly, luxury hotel in Sydney!
Getting In The Mode
All meals, including the Four Seasons’ Signature Afternoon Tea, are served at their on-site Modern Australian restaurant, Mode Kitchen & Bar. The team is led by Italian-born Head Chef Francesco Mannelli, who recently won a coveted Chef Hat from the Australian Good Food Guide for the third year.
I’m always a little apprehensive about taking the kids to a fancy restaurant for the first time, crossing all my fingers and toes they don’t break anything! But once again, Four Seasons had it covered. As soon as we were seated, crayons and colouring books were brought to our table with the menu, keeping our two hungry caterpillars occupied for as long as it took for the food to arrive.
If that wasn’t already a piece of heaven, every bite of the Four Seasons’ signature Afternoon Tea definitely was! It was so delicious, that we booked to go back to Mode for dinner to try their seasonal menu and spoil our palettes all over again. The review straight from Master Seven's lips: “it was the best chicken and chips” he’s ever tasted! He may only be seven, but he has eaten a lot of chicken and chips in his life.
Of course, Mode Kitchen & Bar isn't the only dining option at Four Seasons. There is also Grain Bar (though this is probably best enjoyed sans kids) and Lounge 32. This swanky Club Lounge is mainly used by business travellers, however, if you book a suite for your family you can access the lounge for breakfast and afternoon canapes. Kids are allowed there until 6:00 pm. Finally, for poolside lunchtime dining, check out The Cabana!
Time For A Splash
Our stay wouldn’t have been complete without a splash in the Four Season’s unique, triangle-shaped pool - one of the largest outdoor heated hotel pools in Sydney. Surrounded by cabanas, cushioned deck chairs and a lush vertical garden, we almost forgot we were in the middle of the city.
Losing ourselves in total bliss pretty much sums up our experience at the Four Seasons Hotel Sydney. They’re not just a kid-friendly hotel, but a kid-loving hotel. It was only a short escape from reality, but by the time we checked out and got home (within 20 minutes!), my 3-year-old was already missing her “hotel home”. Let’s be honest… me too!
The Four Seasons Details
Four Seasons is located at 199 George Street, Sydney.
Book your Family Fun Package now including gifts for the kids, an in-room kids' movie experience, daily breakfast, and much more. Plus, you can redeem your NSW Stay and Parent Vouchers!
If you are arriving late with a family, there is also a 24-Hour Staycation package that allows you to check in at 7 pm and check out at 7 pm the next day.
Stay tuned for a new Kids Afternoon Tea coming soon too!
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