‘Bleisure’ at its best: Mix business and pleasure at Australia’s largest premium hotel
By BRANDVOICE
Bleisure travel is a trend where business trips are extended, leaving time for leisure as well as work. The key to success is selecting the right hotel.
BRANDVOICE – SPECIAL FEATURE
The rise of “bleisure” (business + leisure) travel continues, and nowhere does it better than Hyatt Regency Sydney. In the heart of Sydney’s CBD, Australia’s largest upscale hotel blends the city’s rich history with contemporary hospitality, offering stylish and sophisticated stays of any purpose. Set amid the bustling city’s famed business, dining, and shopping districts, it is a hub of connectivity, inspiration, and innovation for business, leisure, and bleisure alike.
“We understand that today’s executives require seamless service, advanced technology and meeting spaces, and premium comfort,” says Jane Lyons, General Manager, Hyatt Regency Sydney.
I can personally vouch for the premium comfort after a blissful night’s sleep in crisp sheets and plush bedding. With 878 guestrooms and suites, the behemoth hotel can accommodate any party, from small groups to entire conferences. Chic and welcoming, rooms come complete with picturesque views, thoughtful amenities, and a spacious work area, where I’m currently writing this while sipping complementary tea and gazing out over a twinkling Darling Harbour night sky.
Discerning travellers may wish to book Regency Club rooms or suites, unlocking a range of privileges, including priority check-in, a private lounge, complimentary breakfasts, booze and canapés, and a dedicated, 24-7 concierge service. It’s an exclusive oasis, a welcome retreat after a day of meetings, lectures, or seeing the sights.
“The Regency Club Lounge offers an exclusive space for high-level networking and relaxation,” continues Lyons. “Whatever our premium guests need, the team is always ready to assist.”
Hyatt Regency Sydney means business. The prime location is within walking distance of the International Convention Centre (ICC), the Barangaroo precinct, and the city’s corporate epicentre. For those hosting or attending events onsite, the hotel’s extensive, world-class business facilities and commitment to innovation include two grand, pillar-less ballrooms and 23 meeting rooms and breakout areas with state-of-the-art technology. From intimate board meetings to large-scale conferences, a specialist event team is on hand to ensure everything runs smoothly and that guests feel comfortable, connected, and inspired throughout.
When it comes to food, whether wining and dining clients or celebrating with staff, Hyatt Regency Sydney has guests covered. The hotel boasts five in-house restaurants and bars, comprehensive in-room dining, and proximity to many of Sydney’s most lauded eating and drinking establishments. From sunrise to well beyond sunset, the food and beverage teams work tirelessly to fuel, nourish, and delight busy guests.
“Our restaurants, bars, and private dining spaces are thoughtfully designed to facilitate business networking and deal-making in a sophisticated yet relaxed setting,” says Lyons.
Day two of my stay starts at Sailmaker, a casual restaurant in the hotel’s vibrant belly. The place is buzzing as hungry guests peruse the sprawling buffet and chatter over barista-made coffees. There’s also an a la carte menu, but who can resist a breakfast buffet? I wander around, trying to decide where to start, with everything from porridge to miso soup on offer, and all the eggs, bacon, fruit, and pastries one could ever desire.
Open for bookable events through lunch, and dinner and for Sydneysiders from Thursday to Sunday for a Seafarer Dinner offering, Sailmaker serves fresh, seasonal modern Australian cuisine. Taking up a sizeable chunk of space, it’s the ideal spot for hosting corporate luncheons or executive dinners.
For more discreet discussions, those staying in the Terrace Suites can host private dining inside or on the terrace, creating the perfect setting for confidential meetings or executive small gatherings of up to twelve people. Locally sourced menus, premium drinks, and impeccable service ensure a seamless experience, allowing business leaders to focus on building meaningful connections and successful business engagements.
The jewel in the hotel’s heavy crown is without doubt the award-winning Zephyr Sky Bar, one of Sydney’s best rooftop locations. Panoramic views, thoughtful cocktails, and a relaxed, exclusive atmosphere make this a must see, and there’s no better place for informal networking, client entertainment, and celebratory toasts. I took a book up there at sunset, but the view was so spectacular, I didn’t even read a page. Bonus points to the barman for possibly the best extra sour margarita I’ve ever had.
High on tequila and sunsets, I descended to street level and grabbed a table at Jackalberry Bar & Restaurant, a cozy, low-lit bistro-style restaurant with a well-stocked bar serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I was pleased to not be the only solo diner on a laptop, forming a silent camaraderie with my fellow working guests. I enjoyed a perfectly cooked piece of salmon with a cheeky and delicious potato gratin stack before going back to my room to continue working. An evening well spent.
Hyatt Regency Sydney knows that today’s leaders don’t rest; they recalibrate, and holistic wellness facilities are non-negotiable. Whether decompressing after a day of meetings or charging up for the day ahead, Hyatt Regency Sydney offers high-octane executives a suite of fitness and relaxation amenities designed with their pace, privacy, and performance in mind.
“Today’s business guests require a balance between productivity and well-being,” says Lyons. “Our hotel is designed to cater to both, ensuring that every guest leaves feeling refreshed, focused, and recharged.”
Open 24/7, the hotel’s fitness centre allows guests to stay on top of their training game, supporting high-intensity cardio and strength training and providing space for bodyweight workouts, mat Pilates, and yoga. With stunning views of Darling Harbour, there’s no better gym to start or end the day. Guests can unwind and rejuvenate with revitalising massages and luxurious treatments at Nabea Spa.
Wellness add-ons are also available for events, including yoga and meditation sessions, healthy food and wellness stations, and sleep tips. The hotel even has a Wellness Ambassador on hand to help craft bespoke itineraries that connect attendees with each other and themselves.
So, whether you’re schmoozing clients, hosting conferences, or closing top-secret deals, Hyatt Regency Sydney can accommodate your every business and leisure need. Experience a hotel leading the bleisure revolution, where checking in means more than just arriving and work travel takes on a whole new meaning.
