We are arriving into Sidney at 6:30 AM and would like a 150-200 room hotel, so that would accomodate a 8AM early arrival. We would like a hotel that is relatively new (less than 4-5 years), has quite contempory rooms within 2 miles of the airport and therefore would offer a shuttle. A rate with tax of $200-$225 for a 4- Star rated hotel would be satisfactory. A restaurant in the hotel that is above average or in walking distance would help..
An added plus might be access by some easy mode of transportion to center city or major art museum should we be in any condition to do something for 3 hours in the afternoon.That is if a taxi is $10-$12 each way.
If you have a recommendation what was the most desirable thing about the hotel and the biggest negative.We plan to stay for 2 nights because of a very early flight (5 AM).
Thanks

If I understand your itinerary, you arrive in Sydney at 6:30 am on Day 1 and depart Sydney at 5am on Day 3. Why not just get a hotel in the city for those 2 days? You may or may not be able to check into your room at 8:30 am (we've been able to do so sometimes), but at the least you can leave your bags, grab some breakfast and go sightseeing until your room is available. Then arrange for an early taxi on the morning of Day 3 to get you to the airport in time for your departure. (I don't know what the fare would be, but at that time of the morning, it shouldn't take long to get to the airport from the city.)
Staying in the city is MUCH preferable to being stuck out at the airport.

Sydney airport is only about 20 mins *from the CBD, and the airport hotels are not of the same quality as their city counterparts.
* this may be longer in peak hours on weekdays.

Have a look at wotif.com.au and check TA reviews. Sydney airports are located at Mascot, there are Novotels near the airport & at Brighton le Sands, a Stamford and an Airport International.

Earliest hotel check- out is 10am, most check-ins are after noon, so unless you book for the night before, the hotel may not be able to guarantee a ready- room at 8am. However, all hotels will gladly store your luggage. That said, it is always worth contacting the property direct.

I understand your wishing to be close to the airport for an early morning departure, but feel you would have a more enjoyable stay in the CBD, given your parameters. Early morning traffic would not be a deterrent as you would be travelling in the opposite direction going to the airport.

My concern is we are flying to Papau New Guinea and if we miss the flight we miss our expedition boat in the late afternoon. We rather not fly in the night before and stay there overnight. That was my only reason for staying at one of what looks like one of the 8-10 hotels 1-3 miles from the airport but I understand bot airports are right near each other. We may be quite tired so a bite a walk and a 2 hr. nap was our thought and then taxi into twon for 4-5 hours and do the same thing the following day. Is that not a wise idea. Might taxi fare be $40-$50 RT which is high?

Normal taxi airport to CBD more likely to be $40-$50 one way.
If you don't have too much luggage, it would probably be quicker to take the train from the airport. $15 per person I believe, so depending on how many in your party, may be cheaper than a cab.

Yes, the Domestic and International terminals abut, so cover rather a large area.

There are no picturesque walks near any of the airport hotels. The Novotel at Brighton le Sands is adjacent to the bay, but fairly ordinary suburban area.

As Longhorn says, really better to stay in town, with better access to sights, restaurants.
Your call, of course, but I can't imagine how adding a 20 minutes trip to the airport would have you
missing a flight - just set the alarm a bit earlier.

Thanks.

Our plans have been changed, We arribe Sidney on Day 1 at 3:30PM and depart on Day 2 at 5:30AM after a 21 flight from NYC. Therefore going into town is out, we habe been in years past so we need a very comfortable beed, quiet hotel with a pleasant staff and a decent in-hotel dining room fordinner. We prefer to tonstyunder $250wtax.

Yes, well none of the facts about airport hotels have changed in the last couple of weeks, so have a look at www,wotif.com.au. The airport is in Mascot. There are maps on wotif so you can see the locations of properties that meet your criteria.

And it's SYdney.

The most comfortable hotel around Sydney airport would be the Stamford Plaza. Its located opposite the domestic terminal but is a $10 taxi fare to the international terminal. You can ask for a room either facing the city or one facing the airport which can be fun if you want to lie in bed and watch the planes! Its a nice hotel and the windows are very thick so its very quiet. I stay there often and have never had a problem! As for food, save the expensive room service and search for Big Boy Thai or any other fast food place in Mascot that delivers to your hotel. Well worth it!