Which Hotel in Sydney

Which area of Sydney is the most convienent to stay in? I've got a list of hotels and I need help deciding. So here's my list.

1. Sebel Pier One

2. Simpsons of Potts Point

3. The Russell Hotel

4. The Observatory

5. Lord Nelson Brewery Hotel

6. Quay West Suites

7 Shangri-La Hotel

8. Harbourside Apartments

9. Rendezvous Staffor Hotel

10. Four Seasons

 

I'd love to get your opinions on any of these hotels.

Thanks,

Liz :confused:

If it's a convenient location that you're after, then I would avoid the following from your list:-

2. Simpsons of Potts Point

8. Harbourside Apartments

 

These three are, I think, in slightly less convenient locations for a tourist than the rest, but only marginally:-

1. Sebel Pier One

4. The Observatory

5. Lord Nelson Brewery Hotel

 

Of course, you have a wide variety of different types, qualities and prices of hotel in that list, so no doubt you'll want to think carefully about the sort of place you're going to stay in.

Globaliser: Thank you for your opinion. Now my list is narrowed down to 5. ;)

 

Any personal opinions on The Russell would be appreciated. I like the idea of a small boutique type hotel but do not want to sacrifice location, convienence and quality.

 

3. The Russell Hotel

6. Quay West Suites

7 Shangri-La Hotel

9. Rendezvous Stafford Hotel

10. Four Seasons

I've got no personal experience of the Russell, although I walk past it often enough. However, simply from knowing where it is and what it is, the key question will be whether you want or expect chain hotel consistency and quality from your hotel room, and whether you'll be irritated or disappointed by the unexpected.

Globaliser: We normally don't stay in chain hotels and like something with more personality, hence the wide range of different type accomodations, but a harbor view would be nice. We travel often to Europe and 3 star boutique type hotels and apartments are our preference. We did stay at the 4 seasons in Istanbul but that is a boutique type hotel as well but definitely 5 stars! I know its only for 2 days so I'm thinking location is probably most important. Does the monorail cover the area of these hotels? Are they all close to ferries as well as sights? Thanks for all your help.

 

Liz

Well, there are certainly rooms/apartments in Quay West, the Shangri-La and the Four Seasons which have harbour views, although you'll have to be quite specific when asking questions about which rooms do, and whether they're the classic Opera House/Harbour Bridge views, or whether the rooms have views of Darling Harbour instead. I doubt that rooms in the Russell will have much in the way of views - it's interesting that the pretty pictures on the hotel's website are taken from the roof.

 

The nearest bits of the monorail are probably about 15 minutes walk, but there are ample ferry services from Circular Quay, which is 2-5 minutes' walk from the 5 "convenient" hotels - closer to some of them than others. This includes shuttle ferries to Darling Harbour, which is the area that the monorail is primarily intended to serve.

Globaliser: Thank you so much all the information. Would Darling Harbor be a good place to stay? If so what hotels would you recommend? Does the monorail cover any sightseeing areas? Thanks again for all your help.

Personally, I'd prefer somewhere near Circular Quay. Darling Harbour is good if you're going to a convention or exhibition near there, or you want to be near the casino or you are going to a specific event taking place there, but otherwise the good touristy stuff is relatively limited - and it's easily accessible anyway. Circular Quay (where the Four Seasons, Shangri-La etc. are) has the advantage that there is nothing that quite conveys the Sydney experience as much as walking out of your hotel to a view of the Harbour Bridge or the Opera House (or even seeing it from your room).

 

If you're looking for a good price, a location near Circular Quay and partial harbour views, and don't mind a chain hotel too much, the Sydney Harbour Marriott often comes up on Priceline for about USD 100 + tax, sometimes less than that. But it is of course subject to all the vagaries of Priceline, including the fact that you might end up with a different hotel for your particular stay even if all recent reports are of successes with that hotel.

 

The monorail runs around a circular loop which goes around Darling Harbour and through some of the downtown area nearer Central station. I personally take the view that it's a pretty useless piece of public transport, but it's quite fun to sit on and watch the view from.

Yes, I agree - circular Quay/The Rocks area would be my preference= Darling Harbour, to me, seems rather "tired" looking whereas the Rocks has so much character and plenty to do in that small area. Quay West has 2 properties, both would give good views (check when booking) - Quay Grand is actually almost next door to the Opera House. Have fun. Sue

If it were my choice, Four Seasons every time. It is in the best position, close to circular quay and the Rocks area. Another lovely hotel which isn't on your list is the Sir Stamford, which used to be the Ritz Carlton. It is a boutique hotel in a wonderful position.

 

 

Jennie

Thank you all for the help. I have narrowed it down now and contacted all the hotels you've recommended. Now we have to wait a whole year to take this great trip! Luckily we'll be keeping pretty busy with the 3 trips we'll be taking in April, July and September, so it should come up pretty fast. Thanks

 

Liz

Finally a subject that I can talk about with a degree of authority as I live in Sydney and about 6/7 times a year we come into town, even though we only live 15 minutes away.

 

On the 22/23/24 January we stayed at the Stamford Circular Quay and as stated by Aussie Girl it is a boutique hotel. The location is fantastic and the service and rooms are great and if you look at there web site you can obtain some good specials.

 

http://www.stamford.com.au/SirStamCirQuay/Default.html

 

The other Hotel you mentioned was the Observatory, this to me and my DW is our favorite Hotel even though its location may not be as central as the Stamford but it is just superb.

 

http://www.observatoryhotel.com.au/web/osyd/osyd_a1a_splash.jsp

 

I would avoid 1,2,3,5 & 9 on your list and if you need any further information please let me know.

 

Cheers,

 

Cristiano.

Thank you all again. I made our reservation and decided on Quay West Suites. It looks very nice and we booked a 1 bedroom deluxe Harbor View.

Liz

If you had a choice, which hotel would you select? I checked out the Sir Stamford website and they have a special that includes breakfast buffet for $340 (Aust). Four Seasons offers a special (no breakfast) where you can book four nights and you're only charged for three. What is a Juliette balcony at Sir Stamford? How are the restaurants at Sir Stamford and Four Seasons? Thank you . . .

I am probably biased, but I love the Sir Stamford. It is as I said, a real boutique hotel so doesn't have a lots of restaurants etc. It has one main restaurant and a good bar. I love its position, it is only a few steps to the Opera House and opposite lovely gardens. It is not in the busy area of Circular Quay where the Four Season is situated. If you are looking for an area with lots of different restaurants then the Four Season is the place. If you are looking for a quieter experience, then go for Sir Stamford.

 

You asked about a Juliet balcony. That really is a half circle window that has a larger ledge with wrought iron on it. Not a balcony in the true sense where you can step out and look at the view.

 

Jennie

How are the restaurants at Sir Stamford and Four Seasons?

Personally, I wouldn't particularly bother wondering about this so far as your hotel choice is concerned. In either place you're smack bang in the middle of lots of good restaurants of various types and price levels. You're not going to need to resort to the hotel restaurants just because they're your hotel restaurants - you'd want to pick them (if at all) by comparison with the many, many others that are within 10 minutes' walk, or less.

Thank you for your comments on the hotels. Sir Stamford certainly looked like a beautiful spot right across from the Botanical Gardens and so close to the Opera House.

Has anyone stayed at the Holiday Inn Old Sydney?? How is it as far as location and service?

The location's certainly very good - right in the middle of The Rocks, and only about 100 yards away from the International Passenger Terminal.

Cruiserdoc, There are a lot of rave reviews of the Holiday Inn Old Sydney on tripadvisor.com. We cancelled our reservations at the Holiday Inn after we had a bid accepted on Priceline of $85 nt. (Jan. 18-22) & were given the Marriott Harbour Hotel on Pitt street right in Circular Quay. Both are in great locations!

I stayed in the Russell for a week back in Nov 2002 pre cruise and loved it. I was looking for an inexpesive room in a great location and this was sure it! You're only steps from Circular Quay and the ferries ,and I loved being able to walk to the Opera or bridge in minutes. Headig dpwn to Darling harbour wasn't a bad walk down George street or you can take a ferry. Be sure and head over to the Zoo and Manly is also a great trip. The harbor at night is a spectacular sight.

 

Absolutely loved Sydney and could have spent another week.

 

Doug

We're partial to the Four Seasons and have stayed there 3 times. It's a great hotel in a great location.

 

The Shangri-La is the former ANA hotel, which had a reputation of being a terrible hotel in a great location.

HAs anyone heard any updates on the hotel since being taken over by Shangri-La Management?

 

JAne

The Shangri-La is the former ANA hotel, which had a reputation of being a terrible hotel in a great location.

HAs anyone heard any updates on the hotel since being taken over by Shangri-La Management?

I don't know much, particularly about the accommodation side of things, but the conversion process has taken a very long time and even in December 2004 many of the public areas were still being worked on. Some of the staff on the top floor (the high-profile restaurant and bar areas) expressed some frustration with the slow rate at which money was being put into the completion of the work.

Thanks Globalizer,

 

Think we'll pass again on the Shangri-La on our next trip to Sydney, sometime next year.

 

We love the Four Seasons, so I guess, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it"!

Does anyone know anything about the Holiday Inn Darling Harbour?

 

Diane