sydney hotels
 

Hi there again -

Ok have another question about htls - have narrowed the options down/changed a few things and would like your input....

I am holding these hotels at this time---

The Russell Hotel $195AUD (shared bathroom facilities)
The Australian Hotel $125AUD (not sure if facilities ensuite or shared)
Hotel Coronation $121AUD (ensuite)

Not looking at the cost - which would you stay at?

Thanks!
Monica

The Russell but only if its not hot!

Hi, mishoe01!
The Russell, as endorsed by Janese, is easily the nicest of the three, as it's in a great old building and a location which is almost too good to be true. The shared facilities, however, doean't make it very competitive amongst these three; for instance, just up the road from the Russell is the Grand (Hunter St), which has nice rooms with shared facilities for about $AUD120 -- a considerable saving.
Of your list of three, I would plump for the Australian, as this is an interesting old building also, and it's located at the top of the Rocks in a quiet area which is not very touristy... very near the entrance for the Bridge climb. It's not lavish, mind you, but it's VERY Australian, and will remind you of photographs that you've seen of Australia in the 1920s or 1930s. And that price is a lot cheaper than the Russell(also, each time I pass the Australian, I notice the sign that says rooms with breakfast -- does your price include this? If so, the bargain looks even better!)
The Coronation is in quite a different part of town -- right near the Town Hall -- and is great if your main interest is shopping, as the Pitt St Mall is only a block away, and the Cinema strip a block the other way. There are, however, cheaper hotels of a similar standard quite nearby, the Criterion being one (around half the price, but shared facilities); and it's quite a stroll (twenty-five minutes) to the Rocks and the water's edge. If you want to stay in that part of town, check a couple of other alternatives within fifty metres, such as the Park Regis and one which I think is called the Hyde Park Hotel(anyway, it's on the corner of Castlereagh St and Park St).
Hope this is some help!

Also in the same area as the Coronation and Park Regis is the Castlereagh Inn - which is hardly ever mentioned on this Forum but is in the centre of the CBD, spotlessly clean but fairly spartan, en-suite bathrooms and tariff includes continental breakfast and a newspaper.

The Russell and not just because I am a Russell. The area is great close to everything.

Hi Monica! I just got back from spending some time at the Russell. Depending on the type of room you want, I think you can do better on the price. I went through Australia Travel Mall, and got a standard room with shared bathroom facilities for $125 AUD. That price is still advertised on their website...you do have to pay before you stay and then they give you a voucher to use when you check in. I had no problems at all.

http://www.oztravel.com.au/travel_ma...otThe_Roc.html

As someone mentioned, there is no Air Conditioning and the stairs to the rooms are steep and tight. But otherwise it's a great place in a super location. I loved it.

I have some pictures posted of the interior as well as the area around the hotel if you'd like to see them...

http://community.webshots.com/album/93500561bZIRXP

One other suggestion would be the Holiday Inn Old Sydney. I know it's "just" a Holiday Inn, but they currently have an internet rate of $160 AUD, and that hotel looked very nice and is in the same area as the Russel on George Street.

Keith

Has anyone any thoughts on the Pacific Intl Hotel at 717 George St?

Keith - thanks for the web site (Travel Mall) and the link to your pictures. They do show a lower rate for the Russell (I think they booked me a superior room not a standard).

Have decided to narrow hotels down at this time just to the Russell and the Australian. Will continue to hold both for now since I'm not going until March. Thanks for your comments!
Monica

Never mind about the Pacific Intl - found it on the map.

Thanks again!