Hot under the Hilton covers

OYSTERS, a feather tickler and Madame Lash – Sydney's Hilton Hotel knows how to get couples in a sexy mood.

THE cook, the stripper, the wife and her French lover. No, it's not the title of a new art-house movie, it's just a regular night at Sydney's Hilton Hotel.

IF you're wanting more than just the standard romance package, the Hilton says it has the solution.

With the help of Sydney's infamous Madame Lash (the stripper), top chef Luke Mangan (the cook), and Hilton's five-star accommodation and service, the Provocateur package creates an evening of romance, pleasure and fun for couples wanting to get into the loving mood.

When I (the wife) first mentioned to my French husband (the lover) we were heading to a hotel for a romance package, he shrugged shoulders nonchalantly.

As a Frenchman, he believes romance isn't organised by a hotel, it should happen naturally. Ah, ze French. As for me, the idea of a five-star hotel room with a big bed and crisp linen put me in the sexy mood.

We checked in during the afternoon and headed to our suite on the 39th floor with its incredible views.

Mission one was to fill the enormous bath, hop in and watch the city through the ceiling-to-floor windows, turn on the flat-screen TV just for the thrill, and enjoy the moment - for as long as possible.

Naughty tips from Madame Lash

All we knew about the Provocateur Package, which I nominated to start at 10pm, was it would "arouse our senses" with an aphrodisiac-inspired degustation platter from Mangan and some wonderfully naughty tips from Madame Lash.

Freshly scrubbed and dressed up, we headed down to Mangan's restaurant, Glass, for dinner. Opposite, the Queen Victoria Building was lit up at night as we enjoyed the amazing wine chosen by the sommelier.

Mangan's food took us to another level, the French-Asian-Australian menu leaving my husband speechless.

At 9.50pm we meandered back to our room. Inside it was dark but our eyes soon adjusted to the amazing scene of hundreds of flickering tea candles and red rose petals scattered on the floor.

Our ears tuned into Barry White music in the background and we noticed the lovely aroma of Ylang Ylang wafting through the rooms.

The coffee table had been beautifully arranged with an enticing platter and a bottle of champagne sitting in an ice-bucket waiting to be popped.

Feather tickling stick

Mangan's aphrodisiac platter included a delectable feast of fig and crab canapes and freshly-shucked oysters. And for the sweet, sticky fix there were chocolate-dipped strawberries, chocolate truffles and creme brulee.

But it was the huge bed that really said it all. A rose-petal heart lay in the centre, with a feather tickling stick placed in the centre, along with a pink envelope – one of five containing "seduction tips" hidden around the room.

I won't ruin all the surprises. What I will say is this: Madame Lash knows all the right steps in leading a couple to an intimate evening. It's a lot of fun with nothing uncomfortable. Couples can just relax and enjoy the whole experience.

The writer was a guest of the Hilton Hotel, Sydney.

The Sunday Mail (SA)