This is how to enjoy the perfect staycation in Sydney’s West
by Aleese Gabir, Vogue Australia, 16 July 2025
The staycation should never lose its allure. The lavish feel of a holiday with the convenience and cost-effectiveness of staying in your city—there’s a quiet luxury emerging in Western Sydney’s Pullman hotel. Far away enough to detach, but close enough to keep spontaneity and exploration alive, the hotel is the ideal location for a brief city break. Nestled within the Panthers Leisure & Entertainment Precinct, the Pullman Sydney Penrith is tucked between a flurry of natural sites and Penrith’s rapidly evolving urban landscape.
Checking in was a seamless experience topped with a refreshing peach iced tea offered in the lobby. The room was marked by understated luxury and comfort, and a number of small, yet intentional touches: a handwritten note, satin eye mask, and a porcelain teapot with jasmine tea ready for my arrival. It did not take long before I settled into the serenity of the space.
A 10-person Scandinavian-style sauna tucked into the hotel’s gym space is ideal for a wind-down after a workout, bushwalk, or escaping the cooler weather. Moving from the suite to the sauna to the lobby bar and back to the room became a loop of relaxation in and of itself.
Marcel Bar & Bistro offered a highly intimate and romantic dining experience, one where not only the food but the space brings you closer to the person or people you share it with. A modern European-inspired menu paired with an extensive wine list and local ingredients sourced from “Western Sydney’s fertile food bowl” offered a lot to choose from. We landed on the set menu, which gave us an opportunity to try some of the best cuisine Marcel had to offer.
Highlights on the menu included the tuna crudo and saucy spanner crab pasta. The waitstaff were accommodating to our requests, even curating a mixed non-alcoholic drink for us, a passionfruit and coconut mocktail that paired refreshingly with our meal. It might be cheesy to say, but small touches like these elevate the hotel dining experience and make it feel like you’re on holiday.
Just around the corner from the main entrance is Tori Cafe & Bar, the sister lobby bar to Marcel; a more casual but equally considered cafe-by-day-cocktail-bar-by-night. The interior seating offers a cosy third space to sip and chat, complete with live music, curated cheese platters, and a gorgeous Blue Mountains view. A personal highlight? Locally sourced beans with brews available into the night, perfect for a ‘coffee at sunset’ fan such as myself.
Though the hotel is framed by natural sights, it doesn’t miss the chance to bring that peacefulness indoors. Fitted with large floor-to-ceiling windows that flood the suites with natural light, they offer constant opportunity to peek out at the stunning views that surround the hotel, and if you’re lucky, a breathtaking look at the mountains.
The rooms are perfectly equipped with features designed for quiet calm and convenience—the hallmark of a good staycation. Here you’ll find crisp white linen sheets, a Nespresso coffee machine, a full-sized fridge, kettle, and microwave, all compactly stored with intuitive design. Luxurious touches such as bathrobes, full-sized hair tools, and natural bodycare amenities from Australian brand Hunter Lab made it so you can travel light and free your mind of any of those nagging “did I forget something?” thoughts.
Once you’re relaxed and tucked into your robe, at your fingertips you have access to an endless amount of services and amenities through the in-room tablet. Guests can order elevated classics, a steak frites or a club sandwich, and enjoy a specialised in-room dining menu. However, the standout in-room feature is the hotel’s Sleep Therapy Menu. This bespoke offering includes soothing teas, aromatherapy pillow sprays, and a full pillow menu, plus pre-set room lighting and soundscapes tailored to your sleep rhythm.
All the elements curated by the Pullman feel effortless yet deeply considered and targeted towards your comfort. Whether you’re craving solitude from the city or only have time to get away for the weekend, then this Western Sydney gem delivers the perfect staycation itinerary.
Source: Vogue Australia