WHY I LOVE THE SOFITEL
After a long day driving, then a touch of apprehension
hitting the city streets following Google directions that don’t quite work, a
huge feeling of relief washes over us as we pull into the quiet enclave off
Collins Street that is our Sofitel.
The
air and atmosphere changes - bitumen becomes
paving, tall shrubs in huge pots appear, soft lighting makes everything glow. A
shiny bell hop opens the car door with one smooth movement and a melodic “Bon
soir, madame!”. Our bags somehow disappear from the boot to the luggage
trolley, my coat from the back seat finds itself on a hanger, someone other
than Jon or myself sits in the car and drives
it away, and when the bell hop hears me say to Jon, “Did you get that bottle of
champagne?” he offers to have it sent up straight away in an ice bucket to our
room.
Up the escalators we go to check
in where another smiling uniformed man greets me with ‘Bon soir, Madame”, checks us in and charmingly
presents us with a little selection of hand made chocolates. Up the lift and into
our room, our bags arrive, followed closely by the champagne bucket and we
settle into a celebratory evening drink, watching the lights of Melbourne spread
out before us from our perch in a corner room on the 47th
floor.....Our trip has begun!
Oh, I also love The Sofitel because it has a an absolutely stunning
atrium, as well as THE best bed I have ever slept in, the best baker (love the fennel seed lavosh) and fantastic views.
The Bad thing about the Sofitel is that it spoils me for other hotels in its wake....
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