Where to Stay
Sydney is home to many corporate and financial headquarters, and hotels are reflecting this by offering facilities dedicated to the business traveller. However if you are on a budget, there are plenty of cheap, fun establishments, particularly around
Kings Cross,
Sydney Central Station and the seaside suburbs of
Bondi Beach and
Manly Beach.
Watch out for the 10 percent surcharge GST (Government levy) on bookings. Tipping housemaids, front of house and waiting staff is commonplace, although not obligatory.
The Rocks The historic
Rocks offers antique-filled terraces, such as the
Russell and the
Rockfort hotels. The
Lord Nelson Brewery Hotel features a sandstone pub with homemade beer and jovial clientele, while the
Observatory Hotel has the added pampering attraction of a
Day Spa & Health Club.
Circular Quay Circular Quay has recently undergone a transformation, including the building of some controversial apartments, bars and restaurants around the foreshore. The development, nevertheless, has turned a bleak spot into a stunning, paved colonnade. The
InterContinental Sydney is just up the road, with the
Four Seasons at the western end of the quay. Just along the road from the
Museum of Contemporary Art, you will find the grand opulence of the
Park Hyatt. For those on a budget, head to the
Grand Hotel on Hunter Street.
City Centre Two of Sydney's most luxurious five-star hotels are located in the middle of the city; the Swissotel Sydney, above Grace Bros. department store, and the
Westin in Martin Place. Business travellers love the
Saville 2 Bond Street Apartments near the Stock Exchange, which combines serviced apartments with classic hotel accommodation. The art deco
Grace Hotel is also situated nearby.
Central Station and Chinatown There is bargain accommodation to be found around
Central Station and Chinatown. The mega-giant
Sydney Central Youth Hostel has a pool, spa and sauna, dormitories and private rooms. The
Mercure and
Macquarie Boutique Hotel are both moderately priced, along with the quirky
Aaron's Hotel in Chinatown. With four-and-a-half stars,
The Carlton Crest specialises in theatre and family accommodation packages.
Darling Harbour The
Darling Harbour district is awash with hotels. Whether it is glitz and glamour or family oriented budget-style, you will have a myriad of choices. For deluxe accommodation, head to
Star City Hotel. The former jazz pub on Wattle Street,
Vulcan, is a family-run bed and breakfast, which will not break the bank.
Kings Cross Kings Cross is backpacker heaven. Have a massage and/or facial in the traditional
Ginseng Bath House on the first floor of the
Crest Hotel. Party around the rooftop barbecue at
Eva's Backpackers or squeeze yourself into the tiny boutique
Hotel 59. For a moderately priced hotel with a few, check out the stylish
Vibe Rushcutters offering park and harbour views.
Darlinghurst and Paddington This area is dotted with ultra-cool boutique hotels, catering to those who enjoy the finer things in life. Closeness to shops, eateries and the Oxford Street nightlife make the
Kirketon Hotel, with Armani-clad staff, popular with gay visitors. On the Darlinghurst side of Victoria Street,
Morgans is popular for a room or a meal in the restaurant. Up the
Centennial Park end of Oxford Street you will find the
Hughenden, a renovated terrace full of comfort. On the cheaper end of the scale, stay at the
Park Lodge Hotel, a terrace with the friendliest staff, comfortable lounges and shady gardens.
Bondi Beach Bondi Beach is a stunning setting, just 10 minutes from the city, with a great selection of places to stay. The
Swiss Grand Resort & Spa Bondi is one of the most expensive on the beachfront, while a more moderately priced establishment is the
Hotel Bondi.
Ravesi's is a small, fashionable hotel featuring a popular restaurant with a wrap-around terrace above the beach. A couple of beaches to the south you will find Coogee Beach and
Surfside Backpackers.
Manly Home of surfing, sand and year-round holidaymakers,
Manly is surrounded on all sides by beach, with a choice of surf or calm inner harbour. If you are looking for some seaside pampering, then book into the
Manly Pacific. Families and those budgeting should try the
Manly Beach Resort or
Manly Paradise Motel, both offering childproof, cheap accommodation with kitchenettes, pools and activity rooms.
North Sydney North Sydney and Crows Nest are home to most of Sydney's advertising, film and computer companies, so there is a selection of hotels catering to business travelers, as well as leisure. The
Vibe Hotel in North Sydney is very popular along with a variety of other medium priced establishments to be found scattered along the North Shore.
Worth Mentioning Highly recommended is
Billabong Gardens, a five-star hostel with a pool, children's activities and family rooms, tucked away in Newtown, and the
Pittwater Youth Hostel for its unique and beautiful coastal bush setting. Also, the
Tricketts B&B in Balmain is a cozy heritage Victorian mansion with convivial hosts.