Sofitel Sydney Wentworth

Housed in a contemporary red-brick building laid out in a crescent formation, the Sofitel Sydney Wentworth has an elegant but professional look. Inside, a modern lobby with a huge crystal chandelier, lots of light-wood shelving, purple patterned carpets, wine-colored leather couches, and dark-wood settees upholstered in gray and burgundy crushed velvet add to the casual but professional ambience. Guests are welcomed at a large round reception desk, and there's a piano next to a twin set of escalators (divided by a stairway). The hotel's bar/lounge restaurant, Soiree, sits off to one side and has a similar contemporary but casual look to it, with purple, gray, and red furnishings and wood-paneled walls and columns. The decor changes at the Garden Court Restaurant, which has a plantation-themed scheme, with black-and-white-striped chairs and booths, and a pale-yellow wallpaper adorned with vintage-inspired pineapple sketches. Most of the guests are business travelers, many of whom are attending conferences or meetings here,  although its central location makes it a convenient choice for leisure travelers too.

The Sydney Boulevard Hotel is located in Sydney's CBD, across the street from the Chifley Tower, the tallest building in Sydney when measured from the base to the top of its spire. Surrounding shops include a grocer's, and there are plenty of restaurants and cafes within walking distance. The hotel is also linked to Wentworth Arcade, an upscale shopping mall with boutiques, a jeweler, and  a chocolatier. The Rocks neighborhood  and the Sydney Opera House both take about 10 minutes to reach on foot, while the Australian Museum and Hyde Park are a 15-minute walk away. Bondi Beach and the Taronga Zoo are each a 15-minute drive away, as is the Sydney Airport, which can also be reached by the Airport Inner West and South Line (T2), which stops near the hotel.

The Sofitel has four room types and two types of suites, along with the exquisitely furnished  Wentworth Suite, the hotel's equivalent of a presidential suite. Classic Rooms have city views. Superior Rooms are similar but have garden views, as do the Luxury Rooms, which also come with access to Club Sofitel, the executive club on the fifth floor. Both Junior Suites and Prestige Suites have separate living and sleeping areas, and can accommodate up to three guests (with a rollaway bed), but only Prestige Suite guests get Club Sofitel access. On the eighth floor, the garden-facing Wentworth Suite is designed for executive travelers, with only one bedroom and one bathroom. But it has a large meeting/dining room that can seat up to 12 people as well as a kitchenette. Decor in all the rooms and suites tends toward the simple and businesslike, with cream walls and light-wood furniture. All come with flat-screen TVs, well-stocked minibars, irons, and electric kettles. Rooms also have Sofitel MyBeds, custom-made featherbeds especially designed for the chain, and glass-topped writing desks. Bathrooms are an elegant mix of cream marble and multi-hued granite, and come with walk-in showers with glass walls, anti-fog mirrors, and Roger et Gallet toiletries. Some also have big, separate soaking tubs. Wi-Fi comes with a high fee.

The on-site Gardencourt Restaurant is open for breakfast, dinner, and afternoon tea. The morning buffet costs extra, but includes an excellent selection of French pastries, breads, fresh-squeezed juices, and some hot items. A quintessentially English afternoon tea service includes cakes, pastries, and finger sandwiches, along with the Wentworth's signature cheesecake. The dinner features a selection of French meat and seafood dishes, as well as a few vegetarian options. There's also a fixed-price two-course "Chamber Orchestra Menu" in which guests have their choice of a main dish and either an appetizer or a dessert. Lunch is available at Soiree, a more casual bar and restaurant, which opens in the morning and closes late. Soiree has high-end pub fare along with some French-inspired appetizers and desserts. Room service is also available. The Sofitel is primairly a business hotel and has the capacity for large conferences. There are 11 function rooms, and audiovisual equipment and catering are available for small or large events and weddings. Its ballroom is among Sydney's largest and can fit up to 1,200 people. In keeping with its luxury business vibe, the hotel offers an executive club, Club Sofitel, where all-day refreshments, along with free breakfast, afternoon tea, and hors d'oeuvres, cocktails, and champagne in the evening are served. Note that Sofitel LeClub Platinum members do not get access to Club Sofitel unless they are staying in one of the room types that grants club access. Butler services are available for a fee. The hotel's Elixr Health Club is privately owned and is open to fee-paying non-hotel-guests, but is free for anyone staying at the hotel. Along with weight and cardio machines, the club offers free yoga and Pilates classes along with kickboxing for a fee.