Sheraton On The Park, Sydney review: Stylish scene suits this end of town

Danielle Teutsch discovers a serene, elegant side to Sydney where the views are inspiring.

I remember the controversy that raged when the Catholic Church decided to add the spires to the unfinished sandstone stumps at St Mary's Cathedral nine years ago. There were many who thought the church's millions could be better spent elsewhere a fair argument.

But the construction went ahead and looking at the spires from my suite at Sheraton On The Park, the improvement to the cityscape is undeniable. They are indeed striking and elegant, especially with the cathedral buffered by a strip of green edging Hyde Park.

A top view in Sydney is usually thought of as anything with a glittering, blue strip of water in the distance. But here, in the aptly named Hyde Park suite on the 19th floor, I'm reminded of Sydney's more classical attractions the spires and the Sydney Mint, St Philip's Anglican Church, the avenue of figtrees in Hyde Park, the Anzac memorial and Archibald Fountain. Here is the old heart of Sydney, home of the establishment, and this is ultimately what characterises Sheraton on the Park.

This Elizabeth Street institution might not be the city's sexiest hotel but it is solid and stylish, both inside and out.

The staff seem to be that little bit more mature, which means the service is seamless. The suite I stay in is furnished in an unsurprisingly safe and subdued palette of chocolate brown, beige and russet but the important details are there.

The sheets are good cotton and the bed is Sheraton's trademark "Sweet Sleeper" (all hotels are getting in on the act of branding their beds these days), which turns out to be a divinely soft Posturepedic number. And, oh joy, for once the pillows are not so high that they put your neck out. There are Bvlgari products in the bathroom, a rain shower and a Bose music system. The suite is enormous, with a massive corner lounge, a balcony and a rather imposing desk and round table obviously catering for the corporate traveller.

However, it's hard to imagine any corporate traveller wanting to sit alone here and work when there is access to the Club Lounge on the 21st floor. At 6pm on a Saturday, the lounge is packed and we can see why. Furnished in autumnal colours, it's welcoming and cosy, with gas fireplaces flickering away and soft booths with city views. The staff quickly fetch drinks and guests can help themselves to antipasto.