Sydney Hotels-Quay West or Star City Hotel?

I need some help/advise on hotels in Sydney. We are a family of 5 travelling together and will be visiting Sydney for 3 nights/4 days in Jan 2006.

We would like to stay in a 2-bedroom apt or suite hotel.

 

There is one Hotel called- Quay West and another one called- Star City Hotel and Casino.

 

Has anyone stayed at these hotels? Any advise/comments/suggestions?

 

Any other good hotels (4 or 5 stars) in a good location?

 

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

My partner and I stayed at the Quay West Suites December last year before our cruise and highly recommend this hotel. It is very close to the Circular Quay ferries, train station and taxi ranks as well. (I have pics of Sydney Harbour in my signature from our Syd-Auckland cruise that were taken from this hotel.)

I have been to shows and the casino at Star City but never stayed there so cannot comment on the rooms. It is a very nice hotel and is close to Darling Harbour shops and monorail and also has light rail right in the downstairs foyer of the hotel.

If you want to be close to the city and public transport then you're better off getting a hotel around Circular Quay. There are a number of good ones that I'm sure others can/will comment on. You could try going to Fodor's travel site (Australia section) for more comments on Sydney hotels.

Kim

Kim, thanks a lot for all the valuable information.

You are right about the location. Everyone has suggested to stay near The Rocks- so now we are trying to decide between The Shangri-la and The Westin- they both have about the same rate. Any suggestions?

 

Thank you again!

Everyone has suggested to stay near The Rocks- so now we are trying to decide between The Shangri-la and The Westin- they both have about the same rate.

The Westin is a bit further from Circular Quay and the Rocks, but is said by some to be the finest hotel (or probably more accurately, the finest chain hotel) in Sydney. The views from the rooms are probably not as good as the best views to be had from the rooms at the Shangri-La. However, the Westin is closer to some of the other sights and sites in central Sydney - not everything is up at the Circular Quay end.

Another favorite posting has been for the Syndey Harbour Marriott. WAVTAM We got this thru priceline for $133/night us

Kim, thanks a lot for all the valuable information.

You are right about the location. Everyone has suggested to stay near The Rocks- so now we are trying to decide between The Shangri-la and The Westin- they both have about the same rate. Any suggestions?

 

Thank you again!

 

The Westin is not by Circular Quay, however, it is in a good central location. I've never seen the rooms however, I've walked into the lobby and it's a very modern and sleek hotel.

 

The Shangri-La is formally the ANA Hotel. When it was the ANA it had a reputation for bad service, however, ShangriLa's have a good reputation.

 

So I think you can't go wrong either way.

 

Jane

Given the choice I would try the new Hilton... only newly open after a very long renovation and in the heart of the city. They featured it on a travel show not long ago and wow it looked great... very up market, funky and luxurious. They even have a Bath Master... someone who comes to your room and sets up your bath for a couple of hours of relaxation and pampering...;)

 

Check their website at www.hiltonsydney.com.au

 

Cheers,

Kim

I need some help/advise on hotels in Sydney. We are a family of 5 travelling together and will be visiting Sydney for 3 nights/4 days in Jan 2006.

We would like to stay in a 2-bedroom apt or suite hotel.

 

There is one Hotel called- Quay West and another one called- Star City Hotel and Casino.

 

Has anyone stayed at these hotels? Any advise/comments/suggestions?

 

Any other good hotels (4 or 5 stars) in a good location?

 

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

As a resident of Sydney I would not recommend Star City if you have a family. Quay West is central, good for walking to ferries, trains, buses, dwontown, etc.

Star City has buses and light rail, close to darling harbour. Have a look at www.citysearch.com.au & www.viewsydney.com.au . These should have webcams,& lots of info.

Staying closer to downtown allows access to better public transport, getting to beaches, zoo, shopping, etc makes all the difference for us.

Have a look at www.wotif.com.au, also I found www.hotel.com (hotelnet)good. We just booked a quick trip with them & their prices were good.

Thank you Max for your good advice. We have booked two rooms at the Shangri-la Hotel. I would have preferred the Hilton- like Kim suggested- but they are already fully booked for the beginning of Jan 2006. Hope this turns out to be a good hotel-

 

Do you have any suggestions on 'must see' while in Sydney- we have 3 full days and it is the first time we will be visiting the city. Any suggestions on good tours companies?

 

Thank you again for the valuable information!

Thank you Max for your good advice. We have booked two rooms at the Shangri-la Hotel. I would have preferred the Hilton- like Kim suggested- but they are already fully booked for the beginning of Jan 2006. Hope this turns out to be a good hotel-

 

Do you have any suggestions on 'must see' while in Sydney- we have 3 full days and it is the first time we will be visiting the city. Any suggestions on good tours companies?

 

Thank you again for the valuable information!

Let me think this over & I'll get back to you in a few days....there is so much to see.

Do you have any suggestions on 'must see' while in Sydney- we have 3 full days and it is the first time we will be visiting the city. Any suggestions on good tours companies?

I don't think you'd need a tour company for three days in Sydney. Virtually everything you're going to have time for is readily accessible by public transport. Here are some suggestions, in no particular order:-

• Explore the Rocks
  
• Climb the Harbour Bridge with Bridgeclimb (about 3 minutes' walk along the street from the Shangri-La)
  
• Visit the Opera House and take a tour (the backstage tour is particularly good, if expensive)
  
• A harbour cruise of some sort (this one is my personal favourite)
  
• Taronga Zoo
  
• Take the ferry to Manly and explore there including the beach, and walk out onto North Head
  
• Watsons Bay and South Head
  
• Bondi Beach if you really, really must
  
• Wandering through the Queen Victoria Building, perhaps the most elegant shopping mall in the world
  
• Darling Harbour's various attractions, including particularly the Maritime Museum
  
• Sydney Tower
  

Ditto with globaliser.

An absolute must is a ferry on the harbour, many choices. I think taking a ferry from Circular Quay to Manly is a must. You can then walk to the beach and there are some good restaurants there.

They have all sorts of day trips.

Bridgeclimb is expensive, worth considering but you need to book a fair way ahead.

You can get a day tripper pass which gives you unlimited trips on buses, trains and ferries in Sydney. It's a cost effective option, sometimes cheaper than buying a couple of fares. www.131500.com.au is worth looking at as you can trip plan on this and it has timetables.

The Rocks has weekend markets are which are great and they are located just under the Harbour Bridge.

Jan is hot, beware of the sun and sunburn.

More ideas to follow.

www.visitnsw.com.au

www.sydney.com.au

If you are taking kids with you then you could take them to Luna Park!! :D (click for website)

Globaliser, Max, and Kim- Thank you so much for all the great information. I have already made a copy of all your suggestions.

 

Any ideas on good places to eat in Sydney?

 

Thank you again for taking the time to help us make our visit to Sydney more exciting!

Any ideas on good places to eat in Sydney?

Well, if you happen to be at Luna Park: Aqua Dining.

 

Top food, good location (in the Rocks), but no view: Rockpool.

 

Overpriced fish and chips (and other seafood) with the most stunning view in the world: Doyles at the Quay. Less overpriced, with a less spectacular view (but still good nonetheless): Doyles at Watson's Bay (there are actually two restaurants here in close proximity to each other, it seems with slightly different menus).

 

For a bit of a laugh, barbie your own steak at Phillip's Foote - conveniently located but you do pay the price for it.

 

Two more places with good food and good views, but prices to match: Altitude and Forty One. (The bar next to Altitude used to be one of the best places in Sydney for visitors, but seems sadly to have declined into a bit of a yuppie pick-up joint. Best thing is to go really early to get there before they finish work, and grab one of the tables in the front facing the bridge.)

 

There are hundreds more good places, but tell us what you like to eat.

Citoman,

 

There are MANY great places to eat in Sydney.

 

For a cheap, funky and good lunch, try Paddington's Pub on Oxford Street ( a great shopping street). For a funky, not to be missed Sydney experience, you must visit Harry's Cafe de Wheels for pie and pea's. Be perpared to stand in the street and eat while looking at the harbour. I think it's open 24 hours - or at least very late into the night.

 

Great thai food is found at Darling Street Thai.

 

For dinner, some great places for ModOz cuisine are Salt, RockPools and Bistro Mars (also a Neil Perry restaurant) You can walk to Rockpools and Phillip's Foote from your hotel) The number one restaurant in Australia is Tetsuya in Sydney. If you're a "foodie", don't miss this place. Bennelong's in the Opera House is excellent food, great decor, wonderful views and pricey.

 

The Lord Nelson Pub is a warm, friendly pub with good food and is near your hotel - just up the hill on Millers Point.

 

The Kiosk on Manley Beach is good place to sit out in the open on the beach and have a nice lunch or dinner.

 

If you have a car and go up to Whale Beach, eat at Jonah's overlooking the ocean. Wonderful food with a breathtaking view.

 

Jane

For a change of pace from the city, you might consider a day tour to the Blue Mountains. We did this during our visit a couple of years ago and enjoyed it very much. Aside from the scenery of the mountains you get a good feel for the countryside outside of the city.

Thank you Jane and Globaliser for the list of good eating places. We usually like to try places that are popular with the local people- good food and service- but nothing too formal.

 

Eldercruser- we were thinking of taking a day tour to the Blue Mountains- like you mentioned. It seems to be a popular place. Any ideas of any good tour companies?

 

Thank you again for all your suggestions!!

The number one restaurant in Australia is Tetsuya in Sydney.

Jane,

 

Have you got any tips about how to get into Tetsuya? I know I'm not in Sydney all that often so I'm limited to how many times a year I can try, but I think I've now chalked up about 6 years of failures to get in! :)

Thank you Jane and Globaliser for the list of good eating places. We usually like to try places that are popular with the local people- good food and service- but nothing too formal.

 

Eldercruser- we were thinking of taking a day tour to the Blue Mountains- like you mentioned. It seems to be a popular place. Any ideas of any good tour companies?

 

Thank you again for all your suggestions!!

There is a good train service to there. Have a look at www.131500.com.au for trip planning.

Jane,

 

Have you got any tips about how to get into Tetsuya? I know I'm not in Sydney all that often so I'm limited to how many times a year I can try, but I think I've now chalked up about 6 years of failures to get in! :)

 

Once I booked it through the AMEX Platinmum Concierge. And on the 2nd visit, I had our hotel concierge book it.

 

citoman,

 

In general, Australian's are casual. The most formal of restaurants are "smart casual" - ie - no polo's and khaki's, but tie's or jackets also not needed.

 

 

Jane

Thanks, Jane - I need to "know people", obviously!

We used Mount 'n Beach Safaris for our tour to the Blue Mountains and though they did a good job. www.mountnbeachsafaris.com.au

Eldercruiser: My husband and I booked Mount and Beach Safarai 4WD Wildlife Discovery excursion for February. Which of their two excursions to the Blue Mountains did you take? Can you provide some information about where you stopped for lunch and if you had lots of stops for pictures. Did they pick you up and drop you off at your hotel?