Sydney

Get a clear view of the harbour in this alternative style acommodation, writes MELINDA BROWNING

THERE are few better first impressions than stepping into a hotel lobby and immediately being asked, “Would you like a glass of sparkling wine while you’re checking in?” I’ve just arrived at Pier One on Sydney Harbour, where I’ve got the task of reviewing one of the city’s best hotel suites.

I’m told I could have used the Marriott Bonvoy app to check in and go straight to my room (being part of the Autograph Collection means it’s a one-of-kind hotel within the Marriott brand). But … then I’d have missed out on that offer of bonus bubbly.

On the second floor, I’m shown to the harbour view balcony suite, where my overnight stay is valued at $1299.

THE LOCATION

A former P&O passenger terminal and cargo wharf, Pier One — as the name would suggest — is right on the water, barely a stone’s throw from the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

The west-facing harbour view balcony suite overlooks Walsh Bay, with balcony views across to Luna Park. Translation: this is prime harbourfront property, especially amazing at sunset.

And waterfront stays around these parts don’t come cheap (at the Park Hyatt just around the corner, the Sydney Suite will set you back $18,000 a night).

In that context, $1299 for this spot, with its spectacular sunset vantage point, seems decent value.

THE IGLOO

It’s not just the harbour views and spacious suite that’s brought me here, but the promise of a brand new experience — the Dream Igloo.

Last year, the hotel launched several of these bubble tents for functions along the harbour, but this is the first year you can actually book one for your own private use for the entire night.

There’s a tent involved, but that doesn’t mean you’re roughing it.

To be clear, the Dream Igloo is not a spot to sleep — unless you’re extremely brave (it’s winter, and those throw rugs are more theatrical than thermal). You’ve got a king bed inside the suite, after all.

No, this is about flaunting the suite’s enormous balcony, where the 3m-wide transparent dome sits. And those views.

Inside is a day bed topped with fluffy cushions — for lounging around on as you tuck into the enormous cheese and charcuterie platter and sip the Mumm champagne that comes with the booking.

Other igloo activities include gawping at the sunset, watching Luna Park light up, spending an inordinate amount of time snapping selfies (do not arrive with your phone on low battery), and generally feeling like a celebrity — especially given our extravagant balcony space is in view of the other guest rooms on this side of the hotel.

When another hotel guest pops out on a tiny neighbouring balcony to inquire if our massive deck and igloo are in fact part of common property, we try not to sound smug as we tell her, “Nope, just part of our room” … but I fear what she actually hears is just “na-na-na-na-na”.

THE ROOM

Besides the igloo, the suite is filled with topend touches you don’t often find in a hotel room:

A gorgeous freestanding bathtub with a sliding bathroom wall — so you can soak in the bath and still see out to the balcony.

A rain shower that, as well as the overhead showerhead, comes with side jets that spray horizontally (who knew?)

A walk-in wardrobe the size of a small bedroom — so no cluttering the actual bedroom with suitcases. Inside, there’s a yoga mat, along with a card listing a series of yoga poses courtesy of Lululemon.

And somewhat surprisingly for hotels these days, there’s a Bible tucked away in a drawer, beneath a Book of Mormon — a nod to the Marriott group’s Mormon owners.

Our stay is not without fault — a few of the finishings are tattier than you’d expect in a $1000-plus a night room, though it’s minor stuff, like frayed fabric on a lamp and shabby corridor carpet. So it makes sense that the week after our stay, the hotel announces plans for a $10 million hotel refurb.

That said, this suite is about the location, and on that, it’s flawless.

THE FOOD

Don’t get me wrong, being presented with an in-suite platter the size of a table filled with cheese and cold cuts is awesome, but it’s worth ducking downstairs to check out Pier One’s waterside dining scene too.

Both the food truck style The Kerrigan (burgers or pizza, $19) and the hatted The Gantry (mains from $38, six-course tasting menu $110), share the same impressive view of Walsh Bay, paired with ultra-Instagrammable decor.

Also on the menu this winter are several igloos along the waterfront for private dining — a more affordable alternative to the Dream Igloo and a night in a suite.

But perhaps the ultimate test of a hotel is whether the breakfast buffet choices make your mind boggle. The answer, at Pier One, is definitely a yes.

Nine types of muesli? Check. Hempnola? Check. Choice of DIY or pre-squeezed juice? Well of course, but why stick to juice when you can opt for a brekky champers? Yep, there’s a champagne trolley.

Just to make sure my last impression lives up to the first.