Amazing Grace: a Sydney Hotel review

“It’s the pretty building on the corner,” says the taxi driver as we pull up on King Street.

I peer out the window while scrounging in my purse finding dollars to pay him. He’s right, the Grace Hotel is one of those stare-at buildings. It’s different from the rest, with stained glass windows and a jagged concrete exterior.

Stare at Building

It’s only early, but the smiling face of concierge pulling the glass door aside tells me it’s gonna be a great day. I’m in town visiting the Sydney lastminute office and tonight- The Grace is my home.

Waiting to check-in, I look around at the foyer- it’s wide, super posh and lit up with pretty flowers.

The Foyer

I’ve gotta start work in half an hour, so I grab my key, take the lift up to the 10th floor and quickly throw my bag inside my Superior King room. I do a quick suss out, resisting the urge to flop on the massive bed- it was an early start in Brisbane this morning.

My room

Big window, check. Huge king bed- check. Designer soaps- check.

The toiletries are totally take-away worthy, by Aussie designer Peter Morrisey. He’s even initialed the soap. (I’ll be stashing those away for later.)

PM Soap

Heading out again- I navigate my way to the office.

It’s clear the Grace is close to all of Sydney’s good bits. I can see Darling Harbour a few streets away, and The Star building peeks out when stretch my neck near the traffic lights.

Finding food is easy. I take a mental note that Vapiano is next door in case I crave some tasty Italian later. There’s also a Thai restaurant down the street, dozens of coffee shops and plenty of convenience stores nearby.

It’s only when I get back from work in the evening when I realise just how huge this heritage building is. It runs the entire block.

Florals in tall vases

Opening as a Grace Brothers department store in 1930, the building became a hotel in 1997. I adore the florals in the foyer, and find myself staring at the high ceilings- I would have totally shopped here. This stunning feature beyond the lobby is also particularly distracting.

Don’t forget to look up!

I head to bed early, leaving buildings buzzing behind my window. The curtains do a great job of turning my room from bright city dwelling to isolated cave. I sleep very well.

The next morning, I share the wooden lift down to breakfast with a Pharrel Williams blasting, Lorna Jane wearing fitness fanatic- she’s just come from the rooftop gym. I should have brought my sneakers.

Breakfast is held in the Grace Brasserie and is more than substantial. For those with a gluten intolerance- you’ll find cereal and toast for your morning bite. For others, cakes, croissants, and an Asian selection are also here to choose from. Any type of diet discipline is lost as I carry yoghurt, muesli, French toast and a croissant back to my table. What? A mid-week work trip still counts as a holiday, right?

Brekkie buffet

Buffet brekkie at the Brasserie

And just like that, I’m checking out. I call a cab, and ask him to pick me up from the pretty building on the corner of King and York Street, the amazing Grace.

The Grace provides those business travellers a bed while they break from meetings, and locals the chance to holiday somewhere chic in their own city. Book a stay at the Grace Hotel here.

Have you stayed at the Grace? What did you think?

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