I'm booking the Sydney hotel for our trip and I am wondering how important it is to stay in the Rocks/Circular Quay area. We will be in Sydney for 3.5 days, 4 nights and the hotels in that area seem to be about $50 AUD extra per night. Is this worth it? Should I be looking at other areas as well?

The Rocks is an historical and vibrant area on Sydney Harbour and definatley the best place to stay, however there are more economical hotels in the city centre and there is a Monorail you can use to get around. Just make sure you choose a CBD hotel not one in the suburbs, there is a decent Mercure hotel I sometimes use right next to Central Station, it is close to the China Town area so great cheap eats, and Paddy's Market which is fun, and you can get most places easily from there, however, if you have the money stay at the Rocks, the views of the Harbour, Opera House and Bridge will knowck you out!
Hope this helps,
Sharon from Australia

It would be nice to stay there but certainly not essential. There are lots of other places and you can easily get to The Rocks area for daytime excursions. Have fun!

I never understand why people want to stay downtown, I prefer a quieter more normal area at night. However seems I am in the minority because staying downtown is very popular. To me the city is 90% business district.

But if like me, maybe you could look at the lower north shore or Manly or other beach areas. perhaps see more of the people of Sydney in their natural habitat.

Will be cheaper per night but you will have added transport costs, but not $50 more!

Sydney is an easily-walked, compact city, and it is possible to stay in one of the more-reasonable hotles away from the Rocks, and still walk there in ten minutes. You might, for instance, have a look at the Travelodge in Phillip Street, which is in a terrific location near historic Macquarie Street, close to the best shops and to Hyde Park, and no more than a ten-minute stroll to the Rocks -- less to the Opera House.

There are also some good budget choices around the Town Hall, which is about a twenty-minute walk from the Rocks, but the walk takes you through all the best shopping areas (such as the lovely Queen Victoria Building). You may like to check out the Park Regis in this area.

However, there are budget hotels around the Rocks, you know, The Glenwood -- just near the hugely-overpriced Shangri-La, has double rooms for about $AUD99. For around $AUD118 you can get a room with a view of the Harbour Bridge (close!)at the Palisade. And the Mercantile is right in the heart of the Rocks, as well-located as any hotel in Sydney. These three are "pubs" rather than US-style hotels, but they are all interesting alternatives. And two mid-priced hotels -- the Russell and the Lord Nelson Brewery -- are quite lovely, historic old buildings which are uniquely Australian and, to my mind, far more desirable (and much better-located)than the Novotels and the Mercures which are all over town.

Yes, it's the "happening place" but it's noisy and crowded. Personally, I wouldn't stay there. My wife and I stayed in a hotel in an area of Sydney called Double Bay. You could get to downtown fairly quickly. It was so much more relaxed in Double Bay. I'm sure there are some other areas of Sydney that would work as well.

Alan!
Wonderful to see you!

Thanks, Margo... and likewise; I haven't gone anywhere, but nowadays I'm more a lurker than a poster; it seesm I am just not quick enough off the mark (when I see eight or nine replies, I know there won't be much for me to say), and everyone seems to know far more than I do anyway!

Well, I appreciate you popping in on this one Alan! Very helpful and those hotels hadn't popped up on my radar yet...and thank you to everyone else who has offered suggestions.

I am getting the impression that it is easy enough to get around the city, but if I can afford it I should stay in the Rocks.

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but at this point, we're thinking about splurging for the area...