Property: West Hotel Sydney
Date: Mon Nov 19th
Status: Diamond
Rate: Standard Reward Redemption
Room Booked: King Acacia Room
Room provided: King Waratah Premium
Lady Lenny and I had tickets to a show at the Opera House on Monday night so instead of schlepping back up the mountains or using my parent's spare room we decided to cash in one of my free night certificates and stay in town. Booking was annoying as it had to be done over the phone and for some reason they weren't seeing any standard redemption availability at Hilton Sydney even though I was sure there was on the website. At any rate we got a redemption for West Hotel, and I've wanted to try it out anyway so it worked out.
We only spent a small amount of time there so I only really got an impression of it, but I liked it. Upgrade was available so I checked in on the app, a printed letter welcoming me as a diamond and listing the benefits was given with the key along with 2 drink vouchers good for house wine, beer and spirits. Room was a little small, but quite adequate, comfortable bed, good shower and I liked the dark wood theme. We were on lvl 8 looking over Barangaroo and the freeway, but almost no noise when the curtains were drawn and only a faint noise when they were open.
I like the bar and the interior courtyard, it was a lovely place for a gin before we headed out to dinner and the show. Only real complaint was the breakfast. Fairly limited offerings, they forgot our coffee request and there didn't seem to be any milk or sugar pre-set on our table (unlike all the others). The yoghurt pots were nice though, and the pastry selections whilst limited, were tasty. Seemed to have the usual eggs, bacon, tomato and pancakes as a hot option, although I don't tend to go for that if I'm heading to work from a hotel. But the service was quite indifferent and seemed both a bit shambolic yet also uninterested.
Overall I was quite happy, but I think if I had paid the room rate or had been staying there whilst on holiday I would have been a little underwhelmed with the experience, largely down to the breakfast service/options. I would have no issues redeeming points/certificates for a stay, and the menu at the restaurant looked quite good. But for Lady Lenny and I, the Hilton Sydney is still our preference.