5 minute read
Luxury Family Getaway in Sydney
A Short Break in a Lux Hotel is a Fun Way to Lose Some of That Isolation Stress.
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The kids race ahead, reading the numbers on the hotel doors to find 1615. I was just as excited to see the hotel room, but I’m getting a little too old to be running through the hallways in excitement. Instead, I hitch up my dress and speed walk to keep up.
The reason I’m excited to see our room? Because we’ve been given the opportunity to try out a ‘’Family Fun Experience’’ at the Four Seasons Hotel in Sydney. The next three days are going to be all about comfort and quality family time … and of course, keeping our distance from germs.
The Four Seasons in Sydney was amazing before we even got out of the taxi. The doorman opened the taxi door for me and instantly greeted the kids with cheerful enthusiasm. I was able to step out of the taxi feeling both (a) like a celebrity, and (b) relief at knowing that kids are truly welcome in such a lovely hotel. In fact, they’re so welcome, the Four Seasons have created a Family Fun Tent Experience for families.
Enjoying the Sydney Harbour views from the Four Seasons Hotel
Jessica Palmer
The Family Fun Tent Experience …
The Family Fun Text Experience is the perfect mini-break! It includes a welcome gift for the kids, in-room movie, daily breakfast, kid-friendly bath amenities and the best part … a tent for the kids! Not just any tent, but an incredibly cute tent with a thick mattress, soft pillows and beautiful bedspread. We swipe our card and slowly open the hotel door. The kids go first with their brand new cuddly kangaroos which were gifted to them at reception and instantly squeal in delight. “Mummy, there’s a tent … and … it has TOYS IN IT!’’
Although the tent was the first thing they notice, the first thing I notice is the auto-opening of the windows. They open to reveal magnificent views of the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
In front of this luxurious view, is a comfortable window seat with oversized soft cushions, and a round marble table with a platter of fruit, chocolate, and macaroons. This place is going to be hard to leave, I think to myself.
Getting Ready to Play in the Tent at the Four Seasons Hotel
Jessica Palmer
Sharing Dreams …
‘’Sharing Dreams at the Four Seasons Hotel’’ is embroidered on the tent. Not only are there some toys inside the tent, but also a kids bathroom set. The set includes toothbrushes, toothpaste and body wash, plus some hotel slippers and fluffy child-sized bathrobes to wear around the hotel room. I couldn’t help but feel the next few days were going to be awesome.
For starters, the kids are so excited by their in-room tent that I might actually get a decent night sleep without being kicked in the stomach or whacked in the head by a wildly sleeping child.
Welcome Platter at the Four Seasons Hotel
Jessica Palmer
Lux All The Way …
Arriving late in the afternoon means there really isn’t much time to explore Sydney. It doesn’t matter in the slightest bit though. The kids splash around in the roomy bath and enjoy the novelty of the fluffy, kid-sized bathrobes and bath slippers. Waltzing out of the bathroom in their new luxury attire, they pose in the window seat with views of Sydney Harbour in the background.
Although I have visited Sydney many times before, the kids have never experienced this wonderful city. We sit on the seat, leaning against oversized cushions, and watch the sky change colour to a dusky pink. Soon enough, the city lights begin to twinkle brightly one by one.
Instead of their usual YouTube for kids quiettime routine for the last 30 minutes before bed, they sit and take turns drawing the Harbour Bridge in childlike fashion on a whiteboard someone had thoughtfully placed in the tent. Unlike his younger four-year-old sister, at the age of seven, my son is uninterested in anything involving pens and pencils. To see him initiate the activity and throw himself into it enthusiastically makes my heart sing. I make sure to praise his Ken Done style drawing of the bridge, complete with twinkling lights and never-ending parade of cars.
Views from a Full Harbour Room at the Four Seasons Hotel
Four Seasons
Bedtime is a Breeze …
Bedtime is a breeze and while the kids sleep soundly in the comfortable tent a few metres away, I sprawl out on the impossibly comfortable king-sized bed and sleepily watched the parade of cars and trains cross the Sydney Harbour Bridge out the window.
When my eyes settle on the soft outline of the Sydney Opera house, I press the magic button that shuts the blinds, blocking out the light completely and drift off to sleep more relaxed than I have felt in ages. Although, I am woken by my youngest crawling into my bed around 3:30am to snuggle up on my outstretched arm.
Location is Everything ...
Location for a Sydney family getaway doesn’t get any better than The Four Seasons Hotel. The iconic Sydney Harbour is right on the doorstep, with The Rocks, Circular Key and Sydney Opera House within close walking distance.
Keeping Your FamilyHealthy ...
While avoiding germs is on the forefront of every parent’s mind at the moment, it’s also on the forefront at the Four Seasons Hotel. There are extra hand washing stations available and the buffet breakfast sensibly swapped over to a-la-carte. Room service is a great alternative to eating in a restaurant and we took full advantage of it.
The Lovely Bathroom in our Full Harbour Room at the Four Seasons Hotel
Four Seasons
Celebrity Spotting …
After a whirlwind few days involving celebrities at Madame Tussauds (they didn’t want to talk to me for some reason), The Sydney Tower Eye and a lovely strolls through the nearby Royal Botanical Gardens and Sydney Opera House, we reluctantly headed back home.
There’s no denying that the year 2020 will make the history books and our problems are far from over yet. But this short getaway was just what I needed to de-stress. We were able to stay safe, practice social distancing, eat great food and laugh ... a lot.
This short getaway was just as great as a longer and less luxurious holiday.
OK, who am I kidding ?…It was WAY better!
Hanging out With Aquaman at Madame Tussauds
Important Information for Your Four Seasons Family Fun Experience
The Family Fun Tent Experience Offer is valid for:
MAY 8 2020 – DEC 30 2020 JAN 1 2021 – JUN 30 2021
Book direct with the hotel for the best price:
www.fourseasons.com/sydney/offers/family-fun
