Hiya

Off on our validation trip in Feb, and I've just worked out that we'll be in Sydney for Valentine's Day. I know this isn't a travel forum, but does anyone have any recommendations of a special romantic place (day trip, restaurant for dinner) that I can book in advance as a surprise for my hubby?

(Not that there's any danger of him finding out as he's "letting" me organise the whole trip, as I'm "so much better at that sort of thing" )

Do Australians go all out for the whole Valentine's thing, like the Americans?

KS

this might be expensive as i dont know the real price of the suite as we were upgraded...BUT...how about booking into suite 1212 of the Grand Mercure Apartments on Darling Harbour for the night? There is no better view of Sydney from there in my opinion!!...you would have the choice of two balconies ot have dinner on (which can be sent up to you from the restaurant below). You would have a stunning 180 degree view of the city skyline at night and views right up the harbour during daylight!!
Best place i have ever stayed in.

try this

http://www.restrocks.com.au/

we ate at Wolfies night before valentines (couldn't get in then), but was fab as had outside table overlooking QE2 berthed in front and bridge to side, then had the fireworks going off as above was in.........

Highly recommended as the others along there, food great and better value with your pounds!

Graham knew of it when he lived there too..........have a fab time

Teresa

I imagine valentines is as big here as in UK/USA. I think your idea is lovely, I don't know Sydney myself but maybe this site could give you some ideas. I guess it will be extremely HOT in more ways than one on Valentines day

www.romanticplaces.com/search/australia/

Donna

Lots and Lots of nice places - Doyles for fish - check out they have website, Circular Quay Doyles one for that view of the opera house and bridge. La Aqua - over the other side and glorious food. Will have to check name on that one - the one that looks over the swimming pool! Any Sydnites know?

Also many of the harbour cruises will run sunset 7.00 ish dinner cruises and evening ones - websearch should get you more information - think this would be romantic? Unless you get seasick!

Lots of restaurants will be running specials and evening might book up for the more popular.

This reminds me My 15th Anniversary is on the 18th Feb- might give a few ideas to my husband, not that I am complaining he just took me away for a suprise night in the Radisson!!! oh er! Excellent but pricey hotel in Central Sydney.

Have a lovely trip

Cheers Sandra

The bridge climb might also be a nice treat - romantic being the top of the bridge together?

Hi

The Summit in Sydney was really good, it's a revolving restaurant, but isn't cheesy like Centrepoint. The food was fantastic as was the Wine Menu. It's in the CBD and you get terrific views of the Bridge and Opera House.

Have a fab time, so envious!!

we were in Rockpool that same night (same reason). We didn't get a view of the harbour, but we went for pre dinner drinks at a bar right next to where the QE2 was berthed (missed the fireworks though).

It was fantastic food (reknown for fish), but is on the expensive side.
http://www.rockpool.com/Rockpool_Awards.html

walaj

What fantastic suggestions - thank you!

I have emailed the Grand Mercure to find out how much that room costs because it sounds amazing! And josiejo, the Summit menu looks gorgeous, and its a bargain too! I've heard that the restaurant by the swimming pool is great, but I think we may get a little distracted from each other

I love the idea of the bridge climb at sunset. Its going to be such a romantic day

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Sandra
Lots and Lots of nice places - Doyles for fish - check out they have website, Circular Quay Doyles one for that view of the opera house and bridge.


Hi

Totally agree Doyle's has wonderful food and the Doyle's in Watson's Bay allows a beautiful drive through the coastal suburbs and then dinner while you watch the sun set over the city and the harbour. the restaurant is on the end of the pier so you have uninterupted views and the staff are lovely. We went the last time I was over for my hubby's 30th.
Good luck what ever you do

How mad is that, prob walked past you!!!!

was funny feeling for us seeing her there as she berths in southampton alot, we can see the berth from the bedroom window and often watch her sail down the solent......don't think will be able to afford those views in Sydney

I'm with the others. Doyles, if you can get a table. It will blow your mind.

Doyles is OK but has become a tourist trap. A nice day trip is to get the ferry to Watsons Bay from Circular Quay (I drive but it is only down the road from here) and to eat the take away fish and chips by the beach there.

Catalina Rose Bay is a romantic place set on Rose Bay in the Eastern Burbs. I took some friends of my parents there by water taxi ($75) as a treat. By taxi from the city it is about $20.

Rockpool is rated as one of Sydneys top restaurants by the smh food guide.

On the north side of the harbour there is the Bathers Pavillion at Balmoral Beach.

There are no shortage of options. For hotels the 2 to splash out on for views are the Shrangri La (was ANA) and the Park Hyatt.

Hi JKS.. i would be interested to know how much they quote you as my daughters are coming down here on the 15th Feb and i wanted to pay for them to stay there.... we only paid the price of of a Novotel hotel room but got two upgrades before we arrived and ended up in there. I reckon it over $400 though!!!

Have a look at www.accorhotels.com.au (Mercure, Novotel, Ibis brand)
- they have HOT DEALS and 60 days advanced booking section. Also
www.wotif.com is good too. For somewhere different and special
to dine - "Wildfire" at Circular Quay is hard to beat for a special
occasion.
Enjoy!

Harrys Pie Van at Woolloomooloo. You can't go wrong with one of those big numbers with the mash, peas and gravy.

I spend the rest of the year on futile romantic gestures. I know I'm not buying into the whole thing, but I really hate all those naffy valentines promotions at restaurants.

I just buy a selection of very exe wine, cook up a big seafood thing at home, take to the kids with a mallet and go on from there.

I know people will dislike me for that, but surely it's not that romantic when the world and his wife are forcing you into being romantic. There's just no spontinaiety there.

I did once surprise the wife by telling her I was taking her to Oxford St shopping and then throwing her on the Eurostar to Paris for the night. We had an 8 week old baby at the time, but I'd had all the luggage sent on ahead with all the baby gubbins, and laid on babysitters at the other end.
cost me a small fortune, but it was easier to then persuade her to let me go to the England away game in Italy later that month.