lastminute lovely Sasha dishes the dirt on why the Park8 Boutique Hotel is the perfect place to base yourself on a trip to Sydney.
I have a confession to make. You might not know this, or even have an inkling, but before this recent trip to Sydney, I was… a boutique hotel virgin (gasp!).
I know what you’re thinking – how could this be so?! Well it’s true, and as ashamed as I was to let that out of the bag, I can finally say I’ve bitten the bullet and have finally slept in boutique bliss, where unique becomes wonderful, trinkets become trendy, and artisan becomes chic.
Keep reading on and I’ll give you my top eight reasons why you should consider the Park8 Boutique Hotel in Sydney as your next (or first) boutique getaway.
Park8 Boutique Hotel Sydney
1 – King size comfort
I own a queen bed, so whenever I open the door to a hotel room and am greeted with a king bed I squeal a little on the inside. And when I’m greeted at the Park8 with a king bed with MicroCloud mattress topper, I squeal a lot on the outside.
This mammoth baby has me dreaming on a cloud, so much that I almost missed my alarm in the morning! Sleep-in forgiven, I wish I could spend another night between the soft white sheets, just to get a little more acquainted with what I picture heaven to feel like.
2 – Sleep easy welcome pack
Forget complimentary champagne to help you hit they hay, the Park8 Sydney have taken boutique luxury to the next level with their sleep easy welcome packs on arrival. I am officially won over. This quirky little gift set includes everything to make you get a good night’s rest, without having to wake with a hangover. From the black eye mask, ear plugs, exfoliation pad, dried out rose petals and take home USB. Win. Win. Win. ‘Nuff said.
3 – Rub-a-dub-dub, jump in the tub
I hold a high respect for hotels with baths, because it’s something I lack in my own home. This bad boy was HA-UGE! After a hard day’s work and travel, I treat myself to a cheeky half hour tub-time to de-stress and drift away. Pure bliss.
4 – Food, glorious food
Relaxing sure can build an appetite, so after my wash I’m ready to explore the options around me. Right out the front of the Park8 are a number of Sydney pubs so I catch up with lastminute lovely Kirk at PJ Gallagher’s Bar & Bistro for a bite to share. We grab the salt and pepper prawns with fries and salad, as well as a char grilled lamb tenderloin salad of Persian feta, caramelised onion and olives. If pub-grub’s not your cup of tea there are plenty of other options nearby – you’re in Sydney city after all. From high-end dining, to take away , just walk out the front door of the hotel and you’ll be bombarded with options.
For those who want to stay put, you can take advantage of the dine-in service, where you place your order from a selection of nearby restaurants such as Pendolino and Wagamama, and it gets delivered right to your room.
5 – Location, location, location!
Being in Sydney for just one night, the only real exploring I can do is the short walk between the hotel and lastminute headquarters. I have to refrain myself from chucking a sickie because there is just so much to see and do nearby. Firstly, the hotel is located on the doorstep of Australia’s oldest park, Hyde Park (they don’t call it Park8 for nothing) with Darling Harbour, Paddington and Surry Hills all a short walk away. There are also heaps of dining, entertainment and shopping options nearby, and if big names like Zara, Sportsgirl, Topshop, Zimmerman, Sass & Bide and more aren’t enough to get you there, then I’m calling it – you’re cray cray!
Image courtesy: lmff blog
Hyde Park
6 – Hole in the wall coffee shop
If I’ve ever met a tease, this is a big one. Cafe8 is a totally cute, totally trendy little coffee shop located left of reception and right on entry to the Park8. Arriving late to the hotel after dark to smell freshly brewed coffee pulls at my tastebuds, but I resist until morning knowing that it’ll be a sleepless night if I have caffeine. I should make a 9th reason to stay at the park 8 specifically for business travellers – Cafe8 is open 24/7 exclusively for guests staying at the hotel, so busy and important people take note, you can pull all nighters catching up on last minute work. Did I mention the coffee was delicious?
7 – Decor
The lamp shade is sitting on a log. An actual log! The carpet is green, there are colourful puffs on the floor, the thick heavy curtains blind out all light, I’m contemplating asking for a sample of the wallpaper, and I have a selection of Sydney mags to flick through. I feel like I’ve landed in an edgy alleyway in Melbourne despite my Bris-lame ways. This may be a sign I need to get out more.
8 – Comp gym passes
Gym junkies can rest assured that they’ll get their fitness fix at the Park8 Sydney, with complimentary access to the neighbouring Fitness First. I suffer from a little AETNE syndrome (any excuse to not exercise) so I left my runners at home, but had I stayed longer, I may have just found a reason to go.
Its boutique babay!
Forget high end hotel chains, this five star self-rated hipsta has maverick written all over it. From the hole in the wall coffee shop, to the sleep easy bedtime welcome pack, I’m convinced that there’s more to a trip to Sydney than big names. Park8 has taken me to boutique bliss, and boy was it a ride.