Hotel Palisade, Sydney, accommodation review: Rooftop divine but room to improve

The building, standing alone as it does at the top of a hill, is a striking piece of classic pre-Federation architecture, a functional brick building that could almost be a lighthouse if they stuck a giant bulb on the roof. The small number of rooms means there's no proper reception area – the bar staff will look after checking you in on arrival.

The room

My room, the William Bennett suite, is a large space separated into four areas – a bedroom with queen bed partially separated from the living area, a short corridor and compact bathroom.

The decor mixes modern with retro. The minibar is housed in a black Husky fridge and the phone is an old-school black number with a faux dial. The bathroom fittings are vintage brass and the lights are controlled via old fashioned bell ropes. There are overhead lights as well as lamps (many hotel rooms only feature the latter, which can make them quite dim at night). This room features a large balcony shared with the room next door (though we're separated by plants).

The views of the harbour from here are grand, considering we're only two floors up. The TV is small, almost suggesting that you shouldn't waste your time watching it when you could be enjoying the lookout.

However, still relatively new, the room is not without some irritations. There's officially no in-room Wi-Fi, with access only in the two bars (I am able to get a solid signal in the room in the evenings but it disappears come morning).

There's also no air conditioning at present, just a pedestal fan. This is not a problem during my autumn stay but I can imagine could be uncomfortable in summer. I also find I can hear my neighbours quite easily through the wall.

The food

There's no room service but plenty of fine options in the Henry Deane rooftop bar. It's a perfect place to get a sense of Sydney's beauty. There's a small number of people there early in the week but I can imagine it proves extremely popular on weekends. The vibe is relaxed and chilled out, with music relegated to the background so conversations can be had at a normal volume. The views from here are spectacular. I opt for oysters, crab on milk buns and a tomato and ricotta salad (though the latter is overly drowned in vinaigrette). The public bar on the ground floor also does meals. Read Good Food's review here.

Stepping out

With Barangaroo Reserve on your doorstep, literally, it's the easiest and most convenient place to explore away from the hotel. The natural amphitheatre offers wonderful views of the harbour and features walkways and bike paths, rock pools and a cultural centre. It's a popular spot for morning exercisers, so join them or simply grab a seat on a bench and people-watch while ferries sail by in the background.

The verdict

The Hotel Palisade is a stylish addition to Sydney's accommodation options, with views that will wow visitors. But there's room for improvement.

Highlight

The views from both the room and the rooftop bar are fantastic.

Lowlight

A hotel without air conditioning or in-room Wi-Fi in 2016?

Essentials

Rooms at the Hotel Palisade start from $280 per night for a standard room or $400 a night for a deluxe suite. See hotelpalisade.com or phone (02) 9018 0123

Craig Platt stayed as a guest of Hotel Palisade.

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