This is a sponsored post for lastminute.com.au
I called Sydney home for 14 years. That’s almost half my life. I had to count it recently when someone asked. I thought it was much shorter than that, to be honest. It felt like it whizzed past in a blur of parties, falling in love, weddings and having a baby. Since moving up the coast in June I’ve been back to visit a handful of times, and I loved the fresh perspective – to see it all again with new eyes. To eye off the Harbour Bridge as we fly in and get excited to be seeing it in real life, even though I used to be able to see it from my rundown apartment when I was 20 every single day {you’d have to crane your neck from a small window in the kitchen but still we did have bridge views to boast about!}.
For the past 7 or so years, a few times every year, my sisters and I have been doing a thing. We log onto lastminute.com.au and nab ourselves a secret hotel. In case you don’t know, how it works is that each day there are a bunch of hotels that go up and they’re secret. So you don’t know which hotel they are, but you know the location {so City, or Double Bay etc}. It’s like getting a lucky dip. You do know their star rating so you’re not going to suddenly end up in a dive. Once you’ve paid for your room, an email will come through with the details of the hotel and then the excitement begins.
So, a few times each year we’d get ourselves a hotel and have a night in the City. We’d all cram into two double beds, or a king – we didn’t care as long as we were together and we’d have fun. Usually my Big Sis wants to watch a movie, sometimes there’ll be room service, other times we’d eat out… but it’s all about a girly weekend. Once Lacey arrived she was along for the ride too. She loves it. We did it for my baby shower, we did it for my sister’s Hens Weekend. We’ve done it when someone is heartbroken and needs cheering up, or to celebrate birthdays. It’s our little ‘thing’. For me, there is nothing better than staying in a hotel. It feels luxurious and there’s nothing to clean up. Gotta love that.
So a few Fridays ago, we did it again after being invited by lastminute.com.au to enjoy summer in the City. This time it wasn’t a secret {it doesn’t have to be – you can just go and grab a room or experience at an affordable price online}. Here’s how it all went down:
We waited for our plane, and this happened. Brad Pitt appeared to watch my every move. I think he has a crush.
We taxi-ed our way to pick-up Ma and her car, and then headed into the City to the Shangri La. We’d stayed there once before when my sister was leaving to live in America the next day… so this time was a bit happier. Amid the luxury cars {shiny BMWs, Audis etc} I rocked up in my Ma’s little Toyota and handed over the keys to the valet and smirked. We met my sister in the lobby {fancy word for entrance}, checked in and then headed up to the room. My first stop is always the bathroom {not because I have a bladder problem, but because I find them to be exciting – and I love the little toiletries. Is that sad?}.
After ten minutes of exploring the room, it was time to explore the City.
We ate dinner at Sailors Thai Canteen {super yummy with communal tables and no reservations. Grab a few dishes to share}, then walked back through The Rocks night markets where there was food, people and Christmas parties galore. I also eyed off some sweet vases that I wanted but didn’t dare see how much. Summer is perfect for exploring the City, because it stays light for ages {thank you daylight savings} and the weather is balmy. Perfect.
Then {because we’d had such an early dinner} we ordered boiled eggs from room service and grabbed a movie too. I fell asleep so if anyone knows how The Words ends, do tell!
The next morning we got up early, had breakfast and headed off for our helicopter tour with a helicopter tour. It was seriously some of the best moments of my life. To see our beautiful City so close and from such a beautiful viewpoint was magic. We were without words for most of the trip because it was just so magical. Did I say magic? Once or twice perhaps, because it truly is.
We then packed our bags, headed down to Circular Quay and grabbed a ferry to Watsons Bay. The view in the ferry is beautiful, but I must warn that it can induce serious real estate envy as you eye off the many mansions on the harbour front. Within about 30 minutes we arrived at Doyles. My Big Sis {Sarah} and he boyfriend were there to meet us. We grabbed a whole heap of dishes to share: oysters, scallops, squid, salad and dory fillets. Doyles is an old favourite of Hubby and I. We stayed there at the hotel on our wedding, it’s also where we had one of our first dates, and have celebrated some special moments too. The view is magic, and if you have kids they can play in the sand on the beach out the front as you eat. Or if you don’t have kids you can take advantage of the wine list and then the Doyles pub next door which is a great place to get social!
Once our tummies were full, we headed back on the ferry to pick up our car and head home – our batteries recharged, and our hearts full. The City never fails us. Never.
If you want to book a summer getaway – just pop over to lastminute.com.au and have a look-see. You have to try the ‘boss is coming, look busy button’ for a laugh. I love a quirky sense of humour! You can book your flights, hotel and experiences all through the one place. Our flights to and from Sydney were only $48 through lastminute.com.au. Bargain!
One lucky Fat Mum Slim reader is going to get the chance to have their own experience. I’m giving away a $250 voucher to spend on lastminute.com.au experiences – you could set sail on the Harbour, get a dose of pampering with a massage, learn to surf at Bondi or anything your heart desires – experience summer in Sydney for yourself. To be in the running simply leave a comment below answering the following question: What do you love about summer?
{boring bits}
One entry per person.
Winner must be able cover their own travel to and from Sydney.
Competition closes 24th December at 11:59pm AEST.
Winner will be announced on December 26th at 10am AEST.
I traveled as a guest of lastminute.com.au. They covered my flights, hotel, helicopter tour and lunch. I covered our dinner, room service, taxi fares, ferry fares, helicopter tour for my Ma, parking and other incidentals. For more information please read my disclosure policy.
