Hi- Trying to figure out where to stay for an end of Nov 2004 trip to Sydney. Newtown sounds like a neighborhood that me and my husband would like. Anyone have any idea of decent places to stay there? Don't really want to spend more then $100 US a night, and would like to be within a few blocks of public transportation.

Don't care if we have a bathroom or not. We aren't backpackers so we would like our own room. Looking for clean, safe and near public transport and good places to eat.

thanks
Denise

Hi, interesting choice! Good cheap eats - and, the main reason I go there - the excellent Dendy Cinema. And, yes, it has character, but I find it a little claustrophobic. Can't think of anywhere immediately to stay - there are a couple of pubs though. Have you considered Balmain? It's a great area - plenty of restaurants in all price brackets, weekend markets, good for just wandering, and much closer to the harbour. There isn't a train line but plenty of buses and the ferry service to Circular Quay. There are some nice B&Bs that would come in under 140 AUD.

If you want to know more about Balmain - just ask away.

Had a look around found

http://newtown.stays.com.au/

Not much though but seem nice places for reasonable prices.

or try www.ozstays.com.au

Hi sfanza - have you considered Broadway/Chippendale? Very convenient for buses & Central Station - there's quite a few hotels/apartment buildings in the area (Medina Classic is one well within your price range => http://www.wotif.com.au/Hotel.jsp?hotel=3362). And you can walk to Newtown in 15-20 mins or take a bus & be there in 5 mins.

I used to live in Chippendale; fantastic location as I could get a bus into the city, Newtown, as well as Balmain/Rozelle. I agree with Alice re: Balmain - but in my honest opinion it can be a bit of a nightmare to get in/out of and is extremely congested on weeekends. I stayed at the Mecure Hotel (http://www.wotif.com.au/Hotel.jsp?hotel=1885) when I was in Sydney in August - good value, and 5 mins to Central Station.

Another option is to join Accor AdvantagePlus (http://www.accorhotels.com.au/corpor...plus/index.asp) - for around A$250 you get 1 free night & 6 x 50% off discount coupons; could save you a tonne of money in accommodation which you could in turn spend on the abundance of awesome food & entertainment!

Good luck with it - cheers.

Newtown, my old stomping ground ..... not as cool as it used to be, but still a great suburb thanks to the amazing array of ethnic restaurants to choose from ....
for acom look at www.billabonggardens.com.au - it's budget/hostel style , but you can opt for a double motel style room with bathroom, and at 88 AUD per night you have plenty left over for a good Thai (the best are along Enmore Rd) and a few Tooheys.
Or Jay's Place, a 10-15 minute stroll from centre of Newtown, is lovely ...
( www.jaysbnb.com )but is about 150 AUD per night. It's located nearer to Redfern .... some people will tell you Redfern is unsafe, but i lived there for 6 years without incident.

Enjoy yr hols.

Hi- Thank you all for your replies. I will check out all the websites you have recommened. Haven't thought about the Broadway/Chippendale area but will look into it.

We are hoping for a location near cheap good food (thai, indian, asian), near good used book stores, coffe and record stores. While we of course will be taking in the sites of Sydney (aquarium, museums,parks), we do like to shop and eat. And hoping to spend some time on the beaches as well (bondi, watson bay, manly and coogee).

I probably will be posting more in the next few days since we are trying to firm up our trip. All I know is we are doing:

5 nights sydney (1 night in blue mountains via train)
6 nights tasmania (hobart, pt arthur, coles bay)
5 nights Melbourne

So if anyone has other suggestions, let me know.

thanks again!
Denise