In late Feb 2019, I will be in Sydney for 5 nights and am looking for help with two questions:

1. Can you please recommend a neighborhood/area that is convenient, safe, and permits me to walk lots of places. Although I am ok with public transportation.
2. In that neighborhood, can you please recommend hotels. Small, clean, quiet, some local charm, budget to mid-range.

All suggestions welcome.

Have a look at www.booking.com in Circular Quay, The Rocks and CBD ( Central Business District).

as you will see from the maps on the various propertiy listings, and the Sydney map you would no doubt have, those areas are all fairly close together and close to public transport.

On the remote chance that you do not have a map of Sydney at hand, this one may be useful.https://www.sydney-australia.biz/map...-of-sydney.php

If you post your budget range in AUD/ night and your dates, we may be able to make some suggestions.

I like the Darling Harbour area. We stayed at Oaks Goldbrough apartments but they are not a small cheap hotel. However the area felt safe and I would stay there if travelling alone. There are a couple of hotels there - one's an Ibis and the other a Novotel I think.

I wouldn't say be Darling Harbour area meets the criteria -it's great for large hotels but not a quant, quiet neighborhood .

Thank you All for your helpful replies. I have learned that when I am traveling alone on a trip like this, I like to use a local agent for bookings. I found Marie in Aukland. If something goes awry, I have a single contact to help with the matter. But, I do my research first and, in addition to my desired itinerary, I give them my preferences for hotels. I am booked into a 3-star hotel in Potts Point - and in a “superior” room. I have found that getting a better room in a small local hotel usually works well. As I look at maps, Potts Point appears to be close enough to the main sights to walk. Or I have an opportunity to learn the local transportation, making for another memory souvenir.