Comfortable Luxury, Opera House Views at Four Seasons Sydney

Four Seasons Sydney is arguably the best-located luxury hotel in the city, with spectacular views of the harbor, the Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge. The hotel is steps from the cobblestone streets of the popular Rocks district and the wharves of Circular Quay. Ferries, trains and buses leave regularly from across the street, making the property an ideal base for exploring all that one of the world’s greatest cities has to offer.

We love Four Seasons as a brand for their fantastic service and for being so welcoming of families. The Sydney location is no exception.

Four Seasons Hotel Sydney Family-Friendly Review

Accommodations

With 531 rooms and suites, the Four Seasons is quite large. We stayed in a Harbourview Room with a king bed, pullout sofa and rollaway for our two daughters, which had plenty of space and was remarkably quiet. The bathroom was well-appointed with a rain shower and soaking tub. At the time of our visit, the rooms were in the process of a much-needed refresh. Although all accommodations are spacious for a city hotel, the rooms that have not been renovated do not have the same luxury one would expect from a Four Seasons. However, the rates on the non-renovated rooms reflect this and are a good value for the stellar location. All rooms are scheduled to be refurbished.

TIP: Corner rooms and rooms on higher floors offer spectacular views over Sydney Harbor and are worth the extra cost.

Amenities

The white-chocolate map of Australia and the local Tam Tam cookies were a nice touch as a welcome amenity in our room. The Tam Tam cookies are sold at the airport; be sure to get some to take home.

I did not have a chance to try a spa treatment, but I did get to enjoy the steam room with my tween and teen daughters on a rainy afternoon, which was a nice treat. The outdoor heated pool has fabulous city views, as does the large fitness center.

Dining

During our visit, the Lounge 32 Executive Club had just reopened after a renovation. It’s located on the 32nd floor with wraparound windows and bright, fresh decor. We loved this space, as it’s a cozy retreat away from the bustle of the hotel lobby. I highly recommend requesting Executive Club access for your stay. They serve a wonderful breakfast buffet and pre-dinner canapes — perfect after a day of sightseeing.

Mode Kitchen and Bar, the new restaurant in the hotel, specializes in Australian cuisine made with seasonal ingredients. Most of the menu is gluten-free.

The concierge team is happy to make recommendations and reservations for the many wonderful restaurants. Sydney has a very vibrant culinary scene and the possibilities range from Thai, Cambodian and sushi to Italian.

Activities

Even if opera is not your thing, I highly recommend a behind-the-scenes tour of the iconic Opera House. Learn how architect Jorn Utzon’s vision came into existence and take advantage of rare photo opportunities. There are a variety of one- and two-hour tours that our Family Vacation Advisors can book for you.

Another highlight of our stay in Sydney was our private guided bike tour. We did this on our first day — a great way to overcome jet lag and to orient ourselves to the city.

A visit to Sydney with kids would not be complete without strolling the beautiful Bondi to Bronte Coastal Walk. One of the most wonderful things about the city is that the people are so friendly and kind. We were walking on the beach and I asked a woman to take the above picture with my cell phone. Instead, she offered to take it with her professional camera and emailed it to me.

It was chilly during our visit, but my kids already want to come back so they can take a surf lesson on Bondi beach!

Relevant Links:

Browse all destinations and activities in Australia on Ciao Bambino

Live with a CB! Trip Planner: Best places to visit in Australia and New Zealand with kids

The perfect 2-week itinerary for visiting Australia with kids

Best of Australia: Kids share why they loved their trip down under

Four Seasons Hotel Sydney provided a media package in order for us to review the property for families. As always, all opinions are our own on Ciao Bambino. Photos by Sandy Pappas except where noted.

Editor’s note: This post was accurate when published. We advise checking independently for the latest information and updates. Ciao Bambino does not accept responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions in, or for any actions taken based on, the information presented.