On arrival

We’re greeted at the sleek front desks to check-in with a glass of sparkling and a tray of chocolate-dipped strawberries – and politely manage to restrain from eating them all. While waiting for the room keys, it’s noted that this is a dog-friendly place, with a water bowl right at the front door and a guest sitting right at the bar with his four-legged friend.

 The rooms

Unless you’re going for a twin room, you’re not going to find a bed smaller than a king here at Pier One. But these rooms aren’t just about a bed for the night.

The great-value Heritage rooms are spacious, comfortable and offer flat-screen TVs, high-speed WiFi and luxurious bathrooms with thick cotton bathrobes to boot. Or opt for a Waterside room with all of the above plus gorgeous harbour views and, if you like, a dog-friendly option, where Fido is welcome to stay in-room with you. Thanks to amenities from canine company Dogue, including a bed, water and food bowl to use during your stay, your pooch can enjoy all the luxuries the hotel has to offer. You can even order him a Dogue mini-bar, with special treats and snacks.

Take it up a notch and really spoil yourself with a suite. We’re staying in the extravagant Walsh Bay suite, and as we’re taken down the long hallway – noting the huge bathroom with deep freestanding bath on the way past – we’re reconsidering plans to leave the room at all. With a generous living room space, the suite boasts sweeping, uninterrupted views of Walsh Bay, with a convenient day bed right at the window to help you while away the hours. In a separate alcove is the huge bed, with ample wardrobe space. While it’s incredibly tempting to run a bath, pop on a robe and lie on the day bed, there’s an entire food and drink experience downstairs, and who are we to say no to that?

 The bar and The Kerrigan

The sun is setting on a scorcher of a Sydney day when we head down to the bar, so we grab a glass of bubbles and wander straight out to the pier to enjoy the view. There are plenty of spots to plant yourself and take in the surrounds, and the exciting new addition of The Kerrigan, Pier One’s on-pier food shack, means easy-going food is nearby too. Take your pick from a range of meats from Black Forest Smokehouse, including chicken, brisket, lamb and pork rack, and prawns. This menu is mainly about casual sharing, but if you’ve had a long day out, take a burger (single or double patty depending on how far you’ve trekked) for yourself.

 The Gantry Restaurant & Bar

For anyone not sure of the calibre of hotel restaurants, you’ve certainly not been to The Gantry. Chef Joel Bickford curates an interesting, exciting menu that changes regularly to match the seasons.

Go with The Gantry menu and perhaps begin with oysters with finger lime and mignonette, and maybe fresh prawns, then move to mains that could include dry-aged lamb rump, parsley root, blueberry and eucalypt, and Holmbrae hen, panisse, legumes and apricot, paired with a fresh potato salad in the warmer months or perhaps a gratin-style bake with Comte in the cooler seasons. The succinct list of desserts will highlight beautiful seasonal fruit perhaps with buttermilk gelato and maple, or go with artisan cheeses from Pecora Dairy in NSW.

If you’re feeling indulgent, skip straight to the degustation – which is available as fully vegetarian, too – then sit back and relax as you’re presented with some of The Gantry’s most impressive dishes.

When it comes to wine, you can peruse the extensive list or you could employ the help of GM and head sommelier, Patrick Agostinelli, who will take you on an interesting journey to perfectly complement your food.

 The morning after

Waking to sunlight streaming through the blinds (there is the option of blackout shutters, if you prefer) and feeling superbly rested from the cloud-like comfort of the bed, a quick drenching from the shower and it’s down to a delicious breakfast before check-out.

A luxury experience in a truly fantastic location. To book your stay at Pier One Sydney Harbour, visit pieronesydneyharbour.com.au