Sydney hotel
 

Plan to spend a few days in Sydney pre cruise and use Starwoods points. Both hotels available, Westin Sydney and Sheraton on the Park, require the same amount of points. It will be our first visit, which you you suggest?

I haven't stayed at either, but as a local I have visited the Sheraton and it is a great location overlooking Hyde Park. It's very close to the main department stores (David Jones, Myer) and also bus routes to Paddington, Bondi. They are both centrally located near train stations--St James (Sheraton) and Wynyard (Westin. Around Wynyard is a bit of a dead zone at night but you could walk from there to the Quay and the Rocks which is more lively in the evening.

Is the Westin not the one in Martin Place? If so, it is not such a bad location. It's just outside the main pedestrian shopping mall in the city (Pitt St) so it is close to shops (DJ, Myer) and a few restaurants (there used to be a really high quality food court in Martin Place called GPO ??? but I haven't been there in a while). I have also seen the rooms at the Westin as we had a friend staying there from Hong Kong and they are stunning, very luxurious. I can't really comment on the Sheraton as I don't know it but I know the location (which is fine) and it's maybe the same distance from the shops but on the other side; maybe the Sheraton is just a touch further from the shops.

There is also a suburban train station at Martin Place but it's only the Eastern Suburbs Line so for city stations you would need Town Hall (1 stop further on the Eastern Suburbs Line or a short walk away).

Lavandula

Your can go for any one of it. Both will provides a you with similar services and to wary about location. Its easily accessible.

I stayed at the Westin last June and really liked the hotel. The breakfast buffet at the hotel is excellent and there are a few restaurants conveniently located downstairs within the building.

My husband will be staying there again this week so I'll report back if there's any change of note.

ttt

Both are similar. Can you stay at the Sheraton Four Points at Darling Harbour. We often stay there when we come to Sydney for the weekend as it is only a 10 minute walk to Darling Harbour with great restaurants and people watching.

Update on the Westin.
There are 2 distinct room types; the heritage rooms and the modern ones. We've only stayed on the upper floors in modern rooms which are spacious and very comfortable with the usual Westin muted decor.
The bathroom is all glass walled and has a privacy shade between the bath and the bedroom.
My husband didn't eat breakfast in the restaurant this time as he has platinum status so received breakfast in the lounge which was more than adequate but not as wonderful as the 'superfoods' breakfast in the restaurant.

The rooms facing the clocktower have a nice view but not for light sleepers if bell chimes disturb you. The higher floor rooms have glimpses of a view beyond the CBD and are quieter (regarding the chimes).

Thanks everyone for the excellent information. Yes, I can also stay at the Sheraton Four Points. All of the Starwood properties inb Sydney require the same points per night.