Sydney Hotel Tips by leffe3

Found this great little apartment hotel through www.wotif.com. Small (24 apartments), incredibly friendly, fantastically located in the centre of Victoria St with the many trendy cafes and bars of Darlinghurst on your doorstep, 5 mins walk to Kings Cross station (close enough to be convenient, far enough away from the sleazier element of Sydney). Its nothing fancy - the studio apartments are fairly basic but comfortable (but a separate little kitchen). There's few frills - but at A$125 a night through wotif, this is excellent value for the location. And it has a great rooftop terrace where you can look down onto the Harbour Bridge and CBD. (Note that you should ensure that you get rooms towards the back - if the room is facing Victoria ST it can get pretty noisy, especially if you like to open your windows).

I have stayed here again more recently (September2005): weirdly enough I ended up staying in the same room as before. It still remains an excellent self-catering option. Being here for a week for work meant I wanted the option of being able to make my own coffee in the morning without having to get dressed!

And the latest stay (Sept 2006) once again confirmed for the price range and its location, it's hard to beat. Discovered the joys of a 1 bedroomed apartment this time round (AUD$10 - 15 per night more than the studios) - those at the front of the building have a little terrace overlooking the street. Morgans may not win any awards for interior design, but still remains a comfortable and hassle-free environment (and the rooms at the front not as noisy as anticipated).

Unique Qualities: A PLACE TO RETURN

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Theme: Other
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: US$40-80  » Currency Converter
Phone: 612-9360-7955
Address: 304 Victoria St, Darlinghurst
Directions: Above Morgans Bar & Cafe

Another of the small boutique hotels that abound in Darlinghurst/the Cross. Virtually opposite Morgans on Victoria mentioned in previous accommodation tip, but main entrance is on Darlinghurst Rd itself.

Tiny boutique hotel (15 rooms), rooms pretty small (except top-floor suites which have private balconies), hence the reason why I assume they are completely white! Fittings, bedding everything - white (except coffee coloured carpets). Pretty tastefully done and rooms are more than comfortable, if somewhat compact! Downstairs (entrance on Victoria St) is the very trendy L'Otel bar - dark and candle-lit at the front, comfy chairs and huge chandelier in the back room with excellent DJ providing the sounds until 3am to the twenty-and-thirtysomething beautiful people of Sydney (you may want to ensure that you do not have one of the rooms on the first - or American 2nd - floor).
Found this through wotif.com again and this was even cheaper than Morgans - A$99 for a Junior Suite.

Unique Qualities: As above - definitely trendy but very friendly as well.

ENJOYABLE EXPERIENCE BUT DOUBT IF I WILL RETURN

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: US$40-80  » Currency Converter
Address: 114 Darlinghurst Rd

If you're looking for a central, downtown hotel, 5 minutes from Darling Harbour, something a bit more stylish than the normal chain hotels at the cheaper end of the market, you can't go wrong with the Blacket. Recently renovated, hip and style are two adjectives that spring to mind. Clean lines, ebony woods and cream fabrics, minimalist flower designs greet you at the small but functional reception area. 7 floors of rooms (but only 42 in total) in this converted 19th century bank (?). The rooms are some of the biggest I've been in - minimalist but tasteful decor, mini-apartment style (sink, microwave etc - stainless steel Fischel & Pyke fridge - that's how seriously contemp it is!) and a fantastic bathroom with huge walk-in showers. And through wotif.com, just A$120 per night, including breakfast. Its a real bargain for downtown Sydney . Attached is the highly-thought of Minc Bar & Restaurant.

Unique Qualities: CERTAINLY A GOOD CHOICE FOR A CITY HOTEL - ESPECIALLY WHEN GOOD DEALS CAN BE FOUND.

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: US$40-80  » Currency Converter
Address: 70 King Rd
Directions: (almost on corner of George St)

Strange little place which caters for backpackers through to business people.

Converted from a famed club, The Altmont sales itself as a 'luxury' budget hotel, with many different levels of rooms. Dorms are on offer through to De-Luxe and the one-off The Loft. As a result, the public areas are more of the budget than the business with soft drink machines, newspaper and magazines lying around, relaxed environment of non-matching tables and chairs and overstuffed furniture.

Individual rooms vary, De-Luxe and Standard fairly similiar except for size and De-Luxe have access to a shared patio (although layout is such that there is plenty of privacy per room).

Unique Qualities: Its a great location virtually on the junction of Darlinghurst/Victoria and Williams St - 5 minutes walk from King's Cross Station.

I WOULD HAVE NO PROBLEM STAYING HERE AGAIN.

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$40-80  » Currency Converter
Address: 207 Darlinghurst RD

A self-penned 5 star boutique hotel, THe Kirketon is SERIOUSLY stylish. A recent refurbishment has overhauled the place and, while the whole establishment may lack natural light, the result is aimed at 'the cool'. You get an idea from the attached acclaimed restaurant - Salt. Look through the full length windows here and you will see a stark white room, with chrome and white furniture - no fancy, schmancy 'baubles' to detract from the straight lines here!
So OK, the hotel isn't as stark as this, but straight lines certainly rule the waves.

Unique Qualities: Rooms are quite small, but there is a small antechamber where the cupboards, mini-bar, CD and Video player are kept - so there's little clutter in the actual sleeping room. And the bathrooms - possibly one of the best showers in the price range ever!

And of course is all about location - and while some may want Harbour Views etc, personal favourire is the Darlinghurst area of the city.

Also voted recently by Conde Nast Traveller as one of 21 Hip Hotels of the World.

ONE OF MY FAVOURITES.

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$80-120  » Currency Converter
Address: 229 Darlinghurst Road Darlinghurst, , Sydney, NSW

This is a hotel most definately aimed at the discerning traveller at the top end of the market. Its so traditionally (stereotypically) 'English' it defies belief with completely old-fashioned values that appeal to some, whilst alienates others.

You certainly can't fault the hotel - it has everyhting you need in a five star hotel and more. This one is more about how comfortable you feel in a slightly fawning, 'service is everything' type of place where you will never be anonymous. Drop soemthing on the floor and miraculously someone appears to pick it up for you (OK - poetic license but it gives you the idea).

Unique Qualities: From the tiny, discrete reception through to the grand sweeping rooms (most with small, ornate balconies which at least provide outside access), the Sir Stamford is about class, albeit slightly old-fashioned. Its not about clean straight lines and minimalist decor here - this is about comfort and over-stuffed wing-back chairs, floral motifs, brass fittings and super-efficient service.

Its difficult to fault, but ultimately I felt too claustrophobic - I prefer a slightly more anonymous, contemporary place. But it certainly has a great location!

FABULOUS BUT JUST NOT NOT MY STYLE AT ALL.

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$180 and up  » Currency Converter
Address: 93 Macquarie Street, Sydney, NSW 2000

A first class business hotel sitting as good as underneath the Harbour Bridge!

Its a new conversion of the wharf buildings in what will soon become a key entertainment area of Sydney (the new Sydney Theatre is just up the road, Sydney Theatre Co are virtually next door and there are extensive plans of more conversions of the wharf buildings into restaurants, bars etc..).

As a modern conversion, its everything you would expect - clean lines, lots of glass, chrome, white walls, furnishings and fittings providing the occasional splash of colour. Rooms are huge, comfortable without being ostentatious, with the bathrooms being bigger than some of the hotel rooms I've stayed in London!

Its an efficient, friendly place, although sometimes the emphasis is more on 'style' than welcoming.

You may want to avoid the ground floor rooms. Whilst they have the attraction of having a terrace, the terrace is in real terms part of the public access along the wharf itself.

Unique Qualities: Its all about location and comfort. Sited on the headland that is Dawson's Bay, the hotel is, as already indicated, virtually under the Harbour Bridge. Its an ideal location if you want a hotel around The Rocks but not right in the thick of things (this may change in time as the area is developed). Its not the best place if you envisage spending time in the Eastern Suburbs (Paddington/ Bondi etc) as you are literally on the other side of the city centre.

WONDERFUL HOTEL BUT LOCATION IS A BIT OFF-PUTTING

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$120-180  » Currency Converter
Address: 11 Hickson Road, Walsh Bay, Sydney, NSW 2000

Huge block overlooking the beach - you couldn't find a more central location in Bondi if you tried. Beach level is the omnipresent shops and bars/restaurants. Take a lift (or use separate exclusive hotel entrance in side street) to the enormous and impersonal foyer. The hotel has two pools and numerous other facilities that you would expect from such a 'resort' hotel. All the rooms are large, each with a separate sittng area/TV room. But its all a bit tatty round the edges and totally impersonal in terms of space and decor (although the staff are very friendly and try to make up for it).

Unique Qualities: Beware. Rooms above about 36 on each floor (ie 236, 336) overlook the Bondi Hotel. Friday and Saturday night = live bands and club nights. Result? Dance to the beat? Never - your room postively reverberates to the beat. And even with double glazing, the hotel has not been able to fully deal with the noise.
I was in rooms on both sides of the hotel, and although the other side was minus the reverberations, its not a place I would rush back to. But that's my personal taste - there were a number of groups booked in and they seemed happy enough when I saw them in the foyer - ditto families.

I HATED IT.

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$120-180  » Currency Converter
Phone: 61 2 93655666
Address: Cnr Campbell Pde and Beach Rd Bondi Beach
Website: http://www.swissgrand.com.au/

A modern sweep of a hotel, white and glass situated in one of my favourite parts of Sydney (Rushcutter's Bay), The Vibe was a place I wanted to try out at least once.

Don't ask me why - whilst a modern low lying (3 storeys) hotel (longer than it is high), it had no particular architectural distinction. But I took the opportunity when it arose and I certainly had no complaints, but without it being particularly memorable.

A large, open, marbled foyer (but low ceilings which make it a little more friendlier), rooms that were of decent size without being palatial or box-like, modern and functional, large windows that allowed plenty of light made the stay comfortable and easy. On the rooftop is a small pool, wooden decking and pleasant views.

Unique Qualities: I liked the place without being over-enamoured. If the emphasis is on a functional hotel with some trappings of comfort but without being ostentatious, this place is fine. Its not in the ideal spot if you want to spend most of your time in the CBD, but if you want to be within striking distance of Darlinghurst, Paddington, Eastern Suburbs and beaches of Bondi, Vaucleuse, Double Bay etc as well as not too far from the City itself, this is fine.
The only downside is that sometimes there's a long wait for a taxi.

I LIKE THIS PLACE. IF TIME IN SYDNEY IS LIMITED, NOT THE OBVIOUS PLACE TO STAY, BUT THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT THE LOCATION THAT IS APPEALLING

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$80-120  » Currency Converter
Phone: 61 2 83538988
Address: 100 Bayswater Rd, Rushcutter's Bay

A self penned 'hip on a budget' and sister hotel to the Blackett (see previous tip). If you want to be in the centre of Sydney but not pay a small fortune, want a boutique hotel that is small and friendly and rooms that are of a decent size, this could well be the place for you. Its nothing fancy, but nor is it basic and stripped bare. Its more 'mass-market contemporary' than 'exclusive contemporary' -so no one-offs designer goods on display.

Unique Qualities: Try and get one of the rooms overlooking Castlereagh St - this is quieter (101/102/201/202 etc) - if you want to open the window. The rooms at the back of the hotel (108/109/208/209) are bigger but you cannot open the windows.

GOOD VALUE BUDGET HOTEL IN THE CITY - LITTLE TO DISLIKE BUT CAN'T RAVE ABOUT IT.

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: US$80-120  » Currency Converter
Phone: +61 2 9283 5000
Address: 185 Castlereagh Street, , Sydney,
Directions: Corner of Castlereagh and Park - 2 minutes walk from Hyde Park
Website: www.centralpark.com.au