It’s not all chain hotels in Sydney that offer patented mattresses that are as spongy as marshmallows, featuring a box spring design and a balance support mechanism created by dense, body-cocooning foam. It’s just as well this grand Sydney hotel offers packages that encourage in-room dalliances, like the I Love Chocolate, which includes an all-chocolate hamper, and a late check-out. Or how about a private butler to serve you dinner, draw an aromatherapy bath and even arrange a private shopping experience? Perhaps an in-room visit from the nearby Chanel boutique? Part of the global Accor network, Sofitel has 436 rooms and although the décor is at the less snazzy end of the five-star scale, most overlook the circular central Garden Courtyard and all feature the sublime aforementioned beds, mod-cons and marble bathrooms equipped with Roger & Gallet products. It’s worth upgrading to one of the luxury club rooms, which are larger and offer club access and additional niceties like Nespresso coffee machines and complimentary Evian water. Female travellers will especially enjoy the free passes to the Elixir health club on level one, which offers pilates reformer and yoga classes. There’s also a Lattouf Hair Spa within the hotel, a blessing for those bad hair days.

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