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Suite Life: Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney

About the hotel

With views overlooking the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House, Shangri-La Sydney is one of the city’s most prestigious harbourside hotels. 

Unique features 

The Shangri-La is part of the urban beekeeping movement with seven hives on the hotel rooftop, which produce between 60kg and 70kg of honey per year, for use in the hotel restaurants and kitchens. Executive chef Steven Krasicki is passionate about his “girls” and – along with beekeeper Doug Purdie, author of Backyard Bees – maintains the hives and collects the honey. We were fortunate enough to check out the hives – and the honey was fantastic!

Dining 

The Shangri-La is well-known for its fine-dining restaurant Altitude, on the 36th floor, which has both incredible views and food. We enjoyed taking in all the colour of Sydney’s Vivid festival the night we dined. On weekends, dinner is a four-course set menu showcasing the best in local produce including cured yellow-fin tuna, roast Cervena venison, Hiramasa Kingfish and a comprehensive cheese selection to accompany the extensive wine menu. The more casual Shayan Quarter on the first floor is a gem. While the view may not compete with Altitude, the food certainly holds its own. Chef Bo Sorensen has a creative modern twist on Asian street food, and we were blown away with everything we tasted, including sticky chilli caramel pork belly “baogers” and Szechuan-style chicken wings. 

Spa 

Shangri-La’ s Chi Spa features Australian brand Sodashi, which is chemical-free and uses some native Australian plant ingredients. It has a new spa menu offering treatments ranging from 30 minutes to 3.5 hours. We enjoyed a couple’s facial in a softly lit room on heated massage tables. It was honestly one of the best facials I have ever had.

Highlights 

I loved a welcome tea basket in our room with a hot pot of brewed tea and ceramic cups – and the views of the city from Millers Point to the Opera House. Other highlights were evening cocktails in the Horizon Club and the delicious rooftop honey.

Upgrade 

The Royal Suite is the hotel’s top suite at 242 square metres, with one bedroom, a separate kitchenette, dining room and executive study.

Insider tip 

As a Horizon Club guest, you can use the newly refurbished Horizon Club on the 30th floor. It offers a light breakfast, beverages, canapés and cocktails, suit pressing and many other benefits. The views alone are worth the investment.

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