Amora Hotel Jamison Sydney
11 Jamison Street Sydney NSW 2000 Australia Tel: (+61 2) 9696 2500 Toll Free: 1800 020 244 (Australia Only) Fax: (+61 2) 9696 2600 E-mail: res@sydney.amorahotels.com.au Web site: www.amorahotels.com
This hotel is located right in the heart of the CBD of Sydney in Jamison Street. The hotel neighbours the Rocks and Circular Quay areas, is close to the Opera House and the Sydney Stock Exchange. The hotel is an early 2000s vintage, and opened as a Le Meridien, before coming under the Rydges banner when it was about 3 years old, and then in early 2007 changing to the Amora brand. We checked in for two nights, Friday and Saturday, accessing a $150 rate on the Metrostar.com booking engine. We were greeted off a side street entrance/driveway, which was quite substantial, by attentive valet staff who attended to the luggage and agreed to our car standing by for about 45 minutes. The car was to be returned, however if parked at the hotel, we were told the cost would be $31 a night. The reception staff were very hospitable and caring and check-in was a breeze. It was then up to the allocated room on the 14th floor. The rooms, being brand new, had a certain freshness about them, the decor imaginitive and very much upmarket. The rooms are not overly large but have all the usual amenities. A lounge chair with foot stool, a working desk with Internet modem connected to a separate line from the telephone line. Internet connection went smoothly throughout except for the Sunday morning, when the line kept dropping out repeatedly after only a minute or two of connection. This may have been a fault of the server and not the hotel, who knows? The king size bed was stacked with 5 marshmellow feel pillows, sheets and a doona. The bed was just perfect, you could lie down and almost melt away. The working desk was not very wide but was quite long, and had two circular drawers which pulled away from the inside. The wardrobe was part of a module which also comprised the TV, mini bar (loaded with refreshments), crockery and glassware, a safe, ironing board and iron closet (equipped) and drawer space. The hotel offered in-house movies and Internet access via television. The bathrooms were spacious enough with a full length tub bath and a very generous, separate, shower area. The toilet space was a little confined and a little awkward to navigate with the bathroom door opening directly in front of it. The usual Amora signature towels, bathrobes and guest amenities (shampoo, conditioner, body lotion) were of a luxurious standard. The outlook of the room was quite pleasant opening on to city buildings with glimpses of a nearby park and even some view of the harbour. A late afternoon (after 5pm) snack was at Inbargo, a popular eatery just off the lobby. It is onyl open on Mondays to Fridays from 5pm. It's an interesting place, quite different in it's presentation and what it has to offer. The menu was almost all light meals, quite interesting dishes and all quite appealing. Prices generally were around AUD 8 to 12 which was very reasonable. The meal was delicious and was speedily delivered. The drinks range included a wide selection of domestic and impoprted beers, wines, and spirits. The room has a widescreen TV and a pool table, and is a bit of a haunt for locals as well as hotel guests. Later that night we adjourned for a drink in the lounge. A couple of Carlton Crown Lagers (at AUD 8 a pop) went down well. Less premium beers were $7.50. The following night we tried the hotel's signature restaurant, Charr, which is on the first level. It is a steak and seafood restaurant which combines traditional and contemporary cuisine. The outlet has an extensive wine list showcasing Australian and New Zealand selections. The menu looked inviting, with most main dishes around $35. I opted for the grilled baby snapper with thyme and preserved lemon, which was served with kipfler potatoes and rosemary. The cost was $32 and it was delicious. The other main restaurant is The Gallery on the ground floor. We went there for breakfast, which was buffet style. The spread was excellent, as good as any other I've sampled. One unique aspect was this huge orange blender which provided freshly squeezed orange juice on tap. Saturday afternoon it was off to the health club on the third floor. An attendant was there to greet us and to provide information and towels, and if you required arrangements for massages in the two rooms available. The exercise room was adequate, although only one running machine which was out of order, one climbing machine and about five strengthening machines of a good standard. A good length pool and spa (whirlpool) was available in another room. Check-out on the Sunday morning was handled as professionally as the check-in. The hotel would rate as an excellent 5 star facility in a very good location. The amenities were terrific, good value, the range of restaurants and bars adequate (a pianist played on Friday and Saturday nights providing entertainment for the lobby, lobby lounge and first floor bar and restaurant). The friendly and welcoming staff are a credit to the manager, the lay-out of the hotel and the unique style of the building are a credit to the architect. The only disappointment was the limited buffet on offer.