Hotels in Sydney - W, Sheraton, or Westin?
 

I have enough hotel points saved up so that we will have five nights free for our honeymoon in Sydney. My points allow us to get rooms at either the W (located on the Wharf), the Sheraton (next to Hyde Park), or the Westin (constructed as part of the general post office). I am not familiar with these hotels other than their pictures on the web. Does anyone have suggestions as to their locations or quality? Thanks.

I have decided to go for the Westin for my stay in Sydney later this month. The decision was based on positive comments on the web, good reviews and excellent price.

stevelondon88 - If you don't mind, would you post a review of it when you get back?

Sure, but that won't be until mid October. Hope that isn't too late for you. You can email me on stevelondon88 at hotmail dot com too.

Hi, zamarin!
Although I've lived in Sydney all my life, I couldn't call to mind where the "W" was, and I thought that that was a bit peculiar, since I always check hotels as I walk by.... so I looked it up, and now I know why! It's in Woolloomooloo, which is not the city of Sydney at all, but an inner suburb, once notorious for brothels and muggings but today fairly harmless (but dark and lonely at night.... you'd want to get a taxi into the city, even though it's only a fifteen minute walk across the Domain (a large park) and a couple of freeways.)
Frankly, I'd leave this one off the list... why get stuck way down there, even if the hotel itself is nice?
As for the Westin and the Sheraton... well, they're peas in a pod. Both quite well located, both exactly what you'd expect from these two chains. I think the Westin in Pitt St has the edge, as it's in a grand old building, the old General Post Office; however, all that's left is the front wall, so you won't get much of a feel of how things used to be. It's a short walk to the water and to the best shops (the Pitt St Mall is a block away), and you are practically adjacent to an open mall called Martin Plaza, which is a bit like Rockerfeller Plaza in New York.
The Sheraton might have nice views of Hyde Park, but don't think this is like Hyde Park in London.... it's only a block deep and two blocks wide. It's about five minutes' walk from the Westin, and in Elizabeth Street, which is wider and a bit more pleasant than Pitt St. And St James Subway Station is only two minutes' walk away.But I still think I'd choose the Westin.
Hope this is of some help.

Hey Alan,

The W is in the old Finger wharf...pretty classy...right next to Russell Crowe,Allan Jones etc

Yes, John, and right near Harry's Cafe de Wheels, which is a nice place to visit, but you wouldn't want to live there!

Zamarin,
We live in rural Australia and always stay at the Sheraton on the Park when we visit Sydney - and are in fact about to spend a lot of time there over the coming Rugby World Cup -
I think it is a wonderful hotel - the rooms are spacious, with nice marble bathrooms - separate bath and shower etc.
The staff are exceptional - in my opinion - and go out of their way to make your stay pleasant.
The rooms with City View look out onto busy Castlereagh Street, and as you get higher over the city - but those with Park Views are over Hyde Park - and are obviously quieter. Even though it is not a huge park, it is very pleasant to look out over the trees and grass.
The Buffet Breakfast is typical and covers a wide range - freshly cooked eggs etc.
If you do decide to stay there I am sure you will enjoy it, and as Alan has said it is very centrally located.

Zamarin-

As luck would have it, I just was responsible for choosing the corporate hotel for a major corporation in Australia, and did the rounds of all the large, 5* properties in Sydney. My view is as follows:

The W: hip, swanky, great location (Alan, sorry...just my view as a 30-something). It's minutes walk to the city and the Botanic Garden and rooms look right out on the water. There's two great bars in the hotel (The Water Bar and a new one I can't remember the name of). It is on the wharf which is where about 8 great restaurants are (Otto, Nove, Kingsley's, Manta Ray, Laurent, and others). Harry's Cafe de Wheels, although tasty as all heck, isn't necessarily a reason to stay there. BUT....the rooms are small and can be loud, and if it's a grey day the whole place is quite dark.

The Westin - beautiful location, beautiful building. Gorgeous rooms with some added quirks (such as the window from the bathroom to the sleeping area). Just downstairs from the hotel is the GPO, which houses bars and restaurants. Martin Place location can't be beat. No real drawbacks.

Sheraton - biggest rooms of the three, and the rooms are also gorgeous (like the Westin). Location is across from Hyde Park, a couple of blocks from the Westin. Easy walk to everything, although other than the hotel restaurant there's nothing in the building itself.

SO...if it were me, I'd choose the Westin or the Sheraton. I would suggest that you contact the appropriate booking folks for points, as even though you have enough points there may not be availability on the days you need (which could end up making your choice for you!)

Pixie Chicks review is spot on. I have stayed at Westin after checking out rooms at both Sheraton and Westin and am familiar with W - although I understand Alan's view and I think the immediate area is nothing special, I think its location is pretty convenient anyway and Pixiechick's comments on trendiness are well made. My choice would be Westin - chose it for my wedding night after checking out quite a few 5 star, rooms are fantastic, we got great service from everyone there and breakfast was the best I have had in terms of quality & choice. We chose Westins Tower room having checked out heritage rooms as well. Prefer the more modern feel and heritage rooms overlook inside of building rather than outside. Get high up rooms and can get good views - albeit a little bit through gaps in buildings. Rooms are very neutral - lots of cream . Sheraton also offered very good rooms, but a little less coordinated e.g Black bathrooms not really matching the main roomsbut comes down to your taste.

zamarin,

Check out the website www.flyertalk.com It is a message board for frequent traveler programs. They have a section devoted to Starwood properites (Sheraton, Westin, W, Four Points, etc.). If you so a search on Sydney in the Starwood thread, you will find countless reviews of the properties in Sydney as well as links to pictures taken by some of the members.

Thank you for the very helpful and informative answers. I really appreciate all of your help. I will definitely post a trip report when I return.

Keep in mind that the W is a higher class hotel when it comes to redeeming points - a few thousand more per night than the Sheraton or the Westin. Can't really miss w/ any of them, but I prefer the Westin. I love the access to the restaurants/bars downstairs.