The Amazing Sydney Getaway For Families At The Four Seasons
The kids race ahead, reading the numbers on the hotel doors to find 1615. I was just as excited to see the hotel room, but I’m getting a little too old to be running through the hallways in excitement. Instead, I hitch up my dress and speed walk to keep up.
The reason I’m excited to see our room? Because we’ve been given the opportunity to try out a ‘’Family Fun Experience’’ at a well-known luxury hotel. The next three days are going to be all about comfort and quality family time … and of course, keeping our distance from germs.
The Four Seasons in Sydney was amazing before we even got out of the taxi. The doorman opened the taxi door for me and instantly greeted the kids with cheerful enthusiasm. I was able to step out of the taxi feeling both (a) like a celebrity, and (b) relieved. The relief of knowing that kids are truly welcome in such a lovely hotel. In fact, they’re so welcome, the Four Seasons have created a Family Fun Tent Experience for families.
The Family Fun Tent Experience …
The Family Fun Text Experience is the perfect mini-break! It includes a welcome gift for the kids, in-room movie, daily breakfast, kid-friendly bath amenities and the best part … a tent for the kids! Not just any tent, but an incredibly cute tent with a thick mattress, soft pillows and beautiful bedspread.
We swipe our card and slowly open the hotel door. The kids go first with their brand new cuddly kangaroos which were gifted to them at reception and instantly squeal in delight. “Mummy, there’s a tent … and … it has TOYS IN IT!!’’
Scroll down a bit further for our YouTube clip of our Sydney Getaway for Families!
Although the tent was the first thing they notice, the first thing I notice is the auto-opening of the windows. They open to reveal magnificent views of the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. In front of this luxurious view, is a comfortable window seat with oversized soft cushions, and a round marble table with a platter of fruit, chocolate, and macaroons. This is what it must feel like to be a celebrity, I think to myself.
Image: Four Seasons
Sharing dreams …
‘’Sharing Dreams at the Four Seasons Hotel’’ is embroidered on the kid’s tent. Not only are there some toys inside the tent, but also a kids bathroom set which includes toothbrushes, toothpaste and body wash, plus some hotel slippers and fluffy child-sized bathrobes to wear around the hotel room. I couldn’t help but feel the next few days were going to be awesome.
For starters, the kids are so excited by their in-room tent that I might actually get a decent night sleep without being kicked in the stomach or whacked in the head by a wildly sleeping child.
Lux all the way …
After a delayed flight that saw us arriving late in the afternoon, there really isn’t much time to explore Sydney. It doesn’t matter in the slightest bit though. The kids splash around in the roomy bath and enjoy the novelty of the fluffy, kid-sized bathrobes and bath slippers. Waltzing out of the bathroom in their new luxury attire, they pose in the window seat with views of Sydney Harbour in the background.
Image: Four Seasons
Although I have visited Sydney many times before, the kids have never been. We sit on the seat, leaning against oversized cushions, and watching the sky change colour to a dusky pink. Soon enough, the city lights begin to twinkle brightly one by one.
Instead of their usual YouTube for kids quiet-time routine for the last 30 minutes before bed, they sit and take turns drawing the Harbour Bridge in childlike fashion on a whiteboard someone had thoughtfully placed in the tent.
Unlike his younger four-year-old sister, at the age of seven, my son is uninterested in anything involving pens and pencils. To see him initiate the activity and throw himself into it enthusiastically makes my heart sing. I make sure to praise his Ken Done style drawing of the bridge, complete with twinkling lights and never-ending parade of cars.
Bedtime is a breeze …
Bedtime is a breeze and while the kids sleep soundly together in the comfortable tent a few metres away, I sprawl out on the impossibly comfortable king-sized bed and sleepily watched the parade of cars and trains cross the Sydney Harbour Bridge out the window.
When my eyes settle on the soft outline of the Sydney Opera house, I press the magic button that shuts the blinds, blocking out the light completely and drift off to sleep more relaxed than I have felt in ages.
… Although, I am woken by my youngest crawling into my bed around 3:30am to snuggle up on my outstretched arm.
Location for a Sydney family getaway doesn’t get any better than The Four Seasons Hotel. The iconic Sydney Harbour is right on the doorstep, with The Rocks, Circular Key and Sydney Opera House within close walking distance.
The kids went straight for the desserts and skipped the fruit of course!
While public health is on the forefront of every parent’s mind at the moment, it’s also on the forefront at the Four Seasons Hotel. There are extra hand washing stations available and a buffet breakfast sensibly swapped over to a-la-carte. Room service is a great alternative to eating in a restaurant among other people and we took full advantage of it.
Celebrity Spotting …
After a whirlwind few days involving celebrities at Madame Tussauds (they didn’t want to talk to me for some reason), The Sydney Tower Eye and some lovely strolls through the nearby Royal Botanical Gardens and Sydney Opera House, we all reluctantly headed back home.
There’s no denying that the year 2020 will make the history books and our problems are far from over yet. But this short getaway in our own backyard was just what we needed to relax and spend quality time together. We were able to practice social distancing for peace of mind and this getaway was just as great as a longer and less luxurious holiday … OK, who am I kidding …It was WAY better!
PS – Stay tuned for a blog post coming soon on things to do the whole family can enjoy in Sydney.
Check out this YouTube clip of our short getaway for families in Sydney!
Important Information for Your Four Seasons Family Fun Experience
The Family Fun Tent Experience Offer is valid for:
- March 20th 2020 through to December 27th 2020.
- January 1st 2021 through to June 30th 2021.
- Book your Four Seasons Family Fun getaway direct with the hotel for the best price!
Here’s an update on how the Four Seasons are handling COVID-19. As a parent, I felt very comfortable with the measures seen first hand inside the hotel.
Resources for booking a getaway to New South Wales
Flights
International flights will most likely land in Sydney and domestic flights are readily available from Australia’s capital cities and other regional airports. Search on Trip.com or I Want That Flight for a great deal on flights to Sydney or elsewhere in New South Wales.
Activities and Tours
Accommodation
For a mid-range hotel (ensuring you have more $$$ for the fun stuff), head to the Park Regis City Centre. For a luxury experience, you can’t go past the Four Seasons Hotel in Sydney.
