Sydney’s newest gem in the sky, Crown Sydney, is much more than a hotel. It’s a dining destination, a staycation delight, and a meeting place for business or for friends and family. Book a table at a’Mare for an old school Italian dining experience, or simply wade up to the rooftop pool for views of the harbour, and a cocktail. There’s a lot to do here, that doesn’t involve, staying the night, but if you want to treat yourself or a loved one, it couldn’t hurt to book a room. Although, not everyone is willing to shell out the cash for a night, so instead, here is everything worth doing at Barangaroo’s hottest destination.
Cocktails and Dim Sum at Teahouse
If you’re looking to catch up with friends, do it at the teahouse. Here, you can enjoy a quiet cocktail in a bold and playful take on a Chinese teahouse. They have a wide range of specialty teas, or if you’re after cocktails, they do that too. Their cocktail menu is full of decadent, theatrical cocktails, whipped up by talented mixologists. As for the food, you can’t go past the dim sum in 3, which boasts a butterfly pea flower dumpling, lemon myrtle scallop and spinach and mushroom dumpling. Best dumplings in Sydney—only wish they had more. You will also find crispy lobster har gao, tuna tartare, hibachi grilled squid, and Peking duck on the menu. For a more intimate experience, ask for a seat in the birdcages, where you can lay back on velvet furnishings, and enjoy drinks and oriental bites in private. The best part, it doesn’t cost any extra, you just need to get there at the right time or book in advance and request the birdcage.
Nostalgic Italian dining at a’Mare
Alessandro Pavoni is the man behind this restaurant. Many Sydneysiders know him from Ormeggio at The Spit, another Italian institution in Sydney that has remained a pinnacle restaurant for several years. Now, a’Mare is taking us back to the days of paramount service and good food. The atmosphere and interior are inspired by the palazzi of old school Italy— Venice, Milan, Rome and Lake Garda. Although the real show stopper here is the food. It’s a relatively extensive menu, but a few standouts include the ‘elephant ear’ which is a 1kg veal cutlet—best shared with friends. The squid ink risotto is a favourite and the casoncelli filled with pumpkin and drowned in burnt butter is every pasta lovers dream. Take a seat outside and enjoy the view or inside to feel the buzz of the restaurant, and still enjoy views through floor-to-ceiling windows. The proportions are quite generous, so you can share or have a dish all to yourself.
Rooftop pool at sunset
Despite being surrounded by a harbour, many Sydney hotels don’t have rooftop pools. The infinity pool at Crown Sydney is definitely a treat worth experiencing. Enjoy panoramic views of Sydney’s harbour from the pool and terrace, which is perhaps the best rooftop pool in Sydney. Spoil yourself with a private cabana or relax on the poolside lounges and take in the view and a cocktail or two. There are even a few day beds floating on the pool steps, that you can enjoy.
Spa Wave treatment at the Spa
If you’re already a guest, be sure to get down to the spa for the aqua retreat where you have access to the steam room, sauna, Swiss shower, and vitality spa. If you’re not, book in for a spa wave treatment, which is a power napping—sleep therapy that reduces stress, improves concentration, balances mood & boosts creativity. The quantum harmonic sound therapy table combines music, gentle sound waves, vibration, matched to the body’s energy chakras. It’s the treatment of the future and is already becoming a popular choice with guests and visitors.
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