Ton

I would like to stay in the cross at Sydney but I've heard that it might be dangerous in some place. Advises will be helpful.<BR><BR>Thanks,<BR>Arnold

Alan

Hi, Ton!<BR>While Kings Cross would not be my personal choice of a place to stay, it is by no means a dangerous area... quite the contrary, in many ways, as it's a bit like New York insofar as the main streets are usually thronged with people well into the small hours, and everything stays open for most of the night. There is, however, crime around the Cross.... a lot of drug dealing goes on, and you are more than likely to see something unpleasant while you are walking around. I certainly wouldn't recommend walking in the side streets where there are no people late at night, but that would be true of most parts of the city (or, indeed, of any city). Just take normal, sensible precautions as you would at home, and you should be fine.

Ton

Thanks Alan,<BR><BR>I read that you advise to stay in the rock at the Russel (even Fodor's !!!). That's amazing because most of the people who stayed there are unhappy. It is noisy and dirty, they said. What will you argue ?<BR><BR>Thanks,<BR>Arnold

Melodie

Arnold,<BR><BR>Avoid staying in Kings Cross if possible. I've been there in the evening with friends where we were accosted by a drunk guy who stumbled into the bar we were at (minding our own business); then treated to the sight of a car pulling up out front; guy gets out and takes a pee right in front of the bar (and in full view).<BR><BR>The next visit there I went during the day, taking the train, as I had clients staying at a hotel right on the "edge" of the Cross area (they left their planning go too late for findng a hotel during the holidays and it was the best I could do). Stopped for a pastry and a cup of tea, sat outside and in about 15 minutes saw a homeless person with pants hanging waaayyy low and an unlit cigarette sticking in his ear; 2 women screaming obscenities at each other, still drunk or high from the previous night and an obvious strung-out speed freak - this was at 10AM. It's a different kind of "ambiance" for sure. <BR><BR>I wouldn't recommend the Russell either for the reasons you stated, mostly the noise.<BR><BR>Melodie<BR>Certified Aussie Specialist

liz

Melodie: I too am a certified Aussie Specialist ( I was born in Sydney, quite a few years ago and have been there many, many times since leaving) but I don't get paid anything and I don't get kickbacks - I do this because I like to see people get the best value for their money and I generally like people and I love travelling. <BR>Arnold: If you want a 5 star American hotel with gym, swimming pool, bars, aircon etc etc then the Russel is not for you. It is a lovely old boutique hotel with a small amount of rooms in the best possible location in Sydney. Some of the rooms can be noisy but others a most definately not. There are lots of other hotels around for all sorts of prices so possibly do a search for one that you like

Mina

I recommend the Russell because of the location. But I always put the disclaimer in that I haven't stayed there. <BR><BR>Recently I told my friend about the hotel. She went, stayed there, and loved it. She said her room was not noisy, and not too small either. Air conditioning was not an issue, as she went in July. She was looking for something budget with charm, and it fit the bill. <BR><BR>It all depends on what you want/expect. But if you want a place to lay your head that's in the thick of things, the Russell is pretty groovy.

Aussie

I have stayed at the Gazibo Hotel (newer section) many times & have found during the day siting having a coffee at McDonalds a real eye opener to the world of the Cross. It is very sleezy at night, wouldn't walk off the main street if given the choice. Infact wouldn't even stay there again. I have seen people thrown through plate glass windows, I remember one year the U.S. navy (6000) were in town (they anchor just down from the cross.) boy was it a busy time for the Prostitutes. <BR>The ambulances are up & down the streets day & night. <BR>The steady stream of traffic going to no where & people walking up & down just looking at the life of the Cross. Drug affected people & homeless very young people (mainly runaways looking for the bright lights.)<BR>Unless you have a specific reason to want to stay at the Cross.<BR>Do your selves a favour & stay elsewhere. Darling Harbour or The Rocks. There are plenty of choices. Good Luck

Alan

Hi again, Ton!<BR>Yes, I do often (but not exclusively)advise the Russell, because my feeling is that when people are in a city for a limited time, happiness is stepping out of your hotel and being right at the heart of things.... there may be quieter hotels (as the Russell is right at Circular Quay, and you can't get higher than three storeys off the ground) but if its quiet you are after, you certainly wouldn't be looking in the Kings Cross area! As for the Russell being dirty... well, I guess people's ideas on what is dirty and what is clean are pretty subjective.... once again, in my experience people tend to think that anyplace that isn't their home town is dirty. I have heard Australians use that word to describe Paris, Rome, London, and New York. The Russell certainly wouldn't be dirty by my standards, and, to be honest, I have never heard that complaint made against it. Most feedback I get is from people who fall in love with it almost at once. So I will continue, I think, to recommend it, unless I now get a host of people with bitter memories of their stay there eager to put me wise.<BR>I still stand by what I said about Kings Cross not being a good place to stay... and if you want to talk about "dirty" there, well, now I won't give you an argument!<BR>

sam

honestly, all this talk of peeing, screaming, hooking and drug taking. I've ever heard such a lot of scaredy cats. Kings X is a lively, cosmopolitan and fun place to visit, if a little faded at the edges. Live a little!!!!

jo jo

Sam, Live a little at the Cross, tell that to the families of the guy who was murdered (gang related !) there in late May this year...& the many other families who's loved ones have o.d.<BR>It is not a great place, unless you like that style of life which you must to support it !

sam

Jo there's a murder about once a month in Sydney and I think you've correctly identified the only one that's happened in the Cross for a long while <BR><BR>And oooh, 'support the lifestyle' what a deviant i must be, hehe

Alan

Actually, while I don't agree with the tenor of Sam's argument, he is quite right: King's Cross is quite a fun place to visit (and Govinda's is worth a visit for an evening meal). But I thought we were talking about staying there. When it's your base, and not just a half-day walking trip to ogle the strip joints and the drug pushers (and their unfortunate victims), then I think you would soon tire of the shock value and long for a more pleasant, if less exciting, area. I don't think you're likely to see a murder there... it's not that kind of place! But you are likely to see some sights that are not usually featured in all the tourist brochures, and for good reason (see Melodie above). Frankly, being exposed to the worst that a city has to offer is not my idea of "living a little".

Mike

I've stayed in King's Cross with my wife and 12 year old son twice in the last 2 years. There is nothing to fear. There is a subway station which gives quick access to all points in Sydney. The infamous "Strip" is about 4 blocks long and quite subdued by New York standards. There are plenty of Hostels, Hotels and good Restaurants in the area. The only time I ever saw any rowdy behaviour was in May of 2002 when the US aircraft carrier Kitty Hawk was in town and the sailors were a little out of line. I have never met an Australian anywhere in Sydney who was less than polite, courteous and friendly. Enjoy yourself and stop worrying. You are in for the trip of a lifetime.

Douglas Bolt

We are looking for a hotel (under $150 US) with a view of the harbor and easy access to the Botanic Gardens and other tourist sights. We will only have two days before starting a 3 wk birding trip, but want to focus on non-birdie attractions while in Sydney.

Alan

Douglas, any hotel around Circular Quay has easy access to the Botanical Gardens. Sydney is really a very small city... the Botanical Gardens is just behind the Opera House and runs at the back of MacQuarie Street, which is one of your main tourist streets. All of this is just a few minutes from any of the recommended hotels around the Rocks. The Sir Stamford actually looks into the gardens, but I don't know if it would fall within your price range.

Melodie

To LIZ:<BR><BR>Dear Liz, I tried emailing you directly, but your email bounced back.<BR><BR>Regarding your post of 8/30, you stated: "I too am a certified Aussie Specialist (I was born in Sydney..).but I don't get paid anything and I don't get kickbacks.."<BR><BR>Perhaps I'm taking this the wrong way, but you seem to be implying that I DO benefit from getting paid or kickbacks because I made a comment or recommendation on something? or maybe I'm too sensitive). In any case, I'd like to clear this up.<BR><BR>1. You stated that you're an Aussie Specialist because you were born in Sydney, and I suppose that's true; you're obviously extrememely knowledgeable about Australia. <BR><BR>When I signed MY post that way it was because I've gone through a course of study (as well as taking trips to Australia of course), from the Australia Tourist Commission and they've designated me as a Specialist. I've also earned the designation of "Tassie Specialist", and from the New Zealand Tourist Board, a "Kiwi Specialist". If you go to the tourism websites, I can be found listed (as well as Specialists from all over the US and Canada).<BR><BR>2. Regarding payment and kickbacks. If I post a comment regarding a restaurant that I liked or a hotel that I have personal knowledge of, I can assure you, it certainly doesn't mean that they're giving me a free meal or hotel stay! The only people I know in the travel business who get "kickbacks" are those tour operators who take you shopping at "X" on your guided bus tour, as they are getting a percentage of what everyone buys while in the shop.<BR><BR>Hope this clears up any confusion.<BR><BR>Regards,<BR><BR>Melodie<BR><BR>< BR>

rad

we just got back from 2 weeks in aus, 2 adults 2 kids. we stayed at the holiday inn at darling harbour it was beatiful, and we got it pretty cheap on asiatravel.com the best part is that although it seems like a great distance, acutally you can walk to most of the tourist spots by walking less than 10-15 min. and we alked at all times including 2 am and it was great.right next to china town and less than 140 (aud) (70 us) per night including breakfast and the rooms are big.

dan

Stayed at Hotel 59 in King's Cross (B&B hotel--good accommodation, includes excellent breakfast) with two kids in July; often returned to the hotel at night, always on foot; never felt unsafe. This area does have a crusty side, but it didnt bother us. 20-minutes to walk downtown.

Liz

MELODIE:<BR>You obviously are a travel agent and as you use your correct email address and sign youself "certified specialist" then you are giving people the idea that they can email you and you will do their travel business for them. <BR>The above is NOT allowed on this forum, there should be NO advertising at all and every time you do this I will make a comment to that effect until Fodors removes you from here. <BR>This forum is not for people to give their biased recommendations i.e. a travel agent who has had a paid for trip to some place will of course recomment that place. This forum is for people who have been and stayed at a certain place to give their holiday unbiased views in the hope that their experiences will help the next person with their trip. <BR>My best friend is a travel agent herself and she uses this forum, or in the last case the Canada forum, to get information that she can use for her own private trips. The last thing she wants is to get information she already knows from whatever brochures are about or from what she has been force fed.<BR>So Melodie, be a good girl and go away and leave the helpful hints to people who have nothing to gain from giving suggestions.

Alan

Dan, I am glad that your Kings Cross hotel gave you and your kids a nice breakfast when you came in July, and I am also glad that you didn't have any unpleasant experiences walking around at night... but I hope that no one on this forum actually advised you to stay in Kings Cross with children! There are so many better alternatives in Sydney, which is one of the loveliest cities in the world for adults AND children.... but Kings Cross is about as lovely as the area around the bus station in Los Angeles, and, as a parent myself, I did all I could to make sure that my kids didn't spend more than five minutes in that particular area!