Stay in Sydney
 

Hi , going to stay in Sydney for a week later in February , Choice of accommodation in Manly , Mosman or Bondi Beach. Where to stay? Dont want anywhere too noisy or mad! We love the beach but also want to visit the city and family in Ranwich and Glebe, Will probably hire a car.Would Manly or Mosman be too far outside city?

Hi Mary,
What type of accommodation are you looking for? I ask because there was a very good write-up of Cremorne Point Manor,a B&B at Cremorne Point in this weekend's SMH, and there are some lovely B&Bs around Kirribilli.

http://www.cremornepointmanor.com.au/

Bondi in summer can be a bit of a zoo, but as you've observed, this isn't our hottest or sunniest, so might be a bit quieter (LOL).

With the end of the school holidays last week, you should notice some relief in prices around the beach areas, and an increase in vacancies.

There's a great looking one bedder right on Balmoral beach, POA, but with the economic & weather climate, you may well be able to do a good deal. http://www.alpha-accommodation.com.au/esplanade.htm

Stayz looks promising, too: http://www.stayz.com.au/accommodatio...FYVMpgodphVT2Q

I'm just messing about on Google - but let us know type (hotel, serviced apartment, B&B, etc) and budget and you'll get a lot more relevant suggestions.

How's Jervis Bay?

Mosman & Manly are on the opposite side of the harbour to Glebe & Randwick as you know, but unless you're travelling in peak hours, really not too far to visit your friends if you want to stay somewhere new.

You could always stay in Coogee, Bronte, or elsewhere in the Eastern suburbs on or near the beach that wouldn't be as busy as Bondi, if your main focus is proximity to the Randwick people.

With the tunnel,Eastern & Western Distributor roads, it's probably 15 mins from Mosman to Randwick (after 9:30 am)http://g.co/maps/fftd5 and about the same to Glebe http://g.co/maps/s55aa

Manly is a bit farther, and a little more touristy because of the beach, ferry etc. Lovely spot though.

From your Jervis Bay post, I think you'd probably enjoy a more residential area either on or close to a beach, and there are lots of those that are a lot quieter than Bondi and, to a lesser extent, Manly.

Bondi can be quite loud during certain months/seasons. Personally I love Manly - the atmosphere has a calm sort of energy and the beach is very good as well

We went to Sydney last week and stayed at Sinclairs Serviced Apartments in Forveaux St. Surry Hills. We had a double bed and a single bed in our room and there is a loft with another single bed. There is a kitchen and small loungeroom and a bathroom. You can also wash your clothes in the on site washing machines. I think there are smaller apartments too.
Surry Hills was great as there were lots of cafes, food shops and a couple of supermarkets.
The apartment building is an old block of flats done up. It was near lots of buses to the Eastern suburbs, beaches, city and the Quay.
We booked on Wotif.com
If you book through Wotif. confirm with the apartments by phone as Wotif sent incorrect information to them.
I think it is the same price if you just book direct. We payed $175 a night and $20 more per night for an extra person. It is dearer on Fri and Sat nights.
We were very comfortable there and it was so convenient.
There is a pub nearby in Devonshire St. called the Shakespeare and you can get very nice meals there for $12.50 and they have a happy hour between 4.00pm and 6.00pm
This was the second time I stayed in this place.

If you stay in inner Sydney, parking may be a problem if you hire a car. It might be cheaper to take the many buses or get an occasional taxi. If you hire a car, the insurance is always a killer.

"If you hire a car, the insurance is always a killer."

Certainly can be, Manlygirl, but we've been using Bayswater Car Rental in William Street for years and their CDW is very low. As are their rates. http://www.bayswatercarrental.com.au/ratesNSW/

I agree with the others: Only rent a car when you're ready to venture out of the city. Otherwise, it's an expensive nuisance.