Sydney Hotels
#21
Join Date: Jan 2003
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You are "spot on", lw2117, when you say that thr price of many of the more popular hotels skyrockets for that one week of the year.... and, given that new piece of information, I can tell you this with absolute certainty: forget wotif, as it is a last-minute site which tries to clear rooms that are left empty; the days before New Year, none of the hotels on wotif have much to worry about on that score, so you will either get a "no availability" sign, or else the prices will be astronomical as a few of the less-reputable places try their hand at a bit of profiteering. The Shangri-La actually offered a last-minute room a couple of weeks before New Year's Eve for something like $1500. If that's what they think of their tourists, there's no way you'd catch me doing business with them!
If I were you, I would act fast, and I would go straight for the Grand in Hunter Street. If you're in Sydney New Year's Eve, you could hardly be better-located, and I spoke to the management about three years ago regarding New Year's Eve and the increase in their prices. They told me that they do, indeed, increase their prices on that night to cover the extra costs of hiring staff.... every room goes up by $AUD10. (The Shangri-La, of course, needs to add $AUD1200 to its room to cover the extra staff wages... hah!)
Look, the Grand isn't all that swank, and it's a traditional old place with a drinking area downstairs and share baths on each floor, but it's clean and honest and not well-known to tourists, so you just might find that it isn't full for New Year. Yet.
If I were you, I would act fast, and I would go straight for the Grand in Hunter Street. If you're in Sydney New Year's Eve, you could hardly be better-located, and I spoke to the management about three years ago regarding New Year's Eve and the increase in their prices. They told me that they do, indeed, increase their prices on that night to cover the extra costs of hiring staff.... every room goes up by $AUD10. (The Shangri-La, of course, needs to add $AUD1200 to its room to cover the extra staff wages... hah!)
Look, the Grand isn't all that swank, and it's a traditional old place with a drinking area downstairs and share baths on each floor, but it's clean and honest and not well-known to tourists, so you just might find that it isn't full for New Year. Yet.
#22
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I decided to go looking for the website for the Grand so that you could check out the specifications. Have a look at http://sydney.citysearch.com.au/E/V/...2/99/15/1.html and see if it meets your requirements. By the way, they have weekly rates as well as nightly, if I recall.
#23
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Poll162 -- I appreciate your recommendation but unfortunately the Regents Court wanted 275 per night which is out of my budget range. Too bad -- it looks great.
Alan -- thanks for the recommendation and the link. The hotel looks great. Perfect location and very reasonable prices. I just emailed them to confirm availability. Thanks again.
Alan -- thanks for the recommendation and the link. The hotel looks great. Perfect location and very reasonable prices. I just emailed them to confirm availability. Thanks again.
#24
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That's great news, lw2117; I hope you are pleased with it when you see it!
I note that nowadays they put up their rates by $20 a room, not ten, for New Year's.... I'll have to remember that next time I recommend it.
I note that nowadays they put up their rates by $20 a room, not ten, for New Year's.... I'll have to remember that next time I recommend it.
#25
Join Date: Feb 2003
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Does anyone mind if I jump in here?
I am also planning a trip to Sydney and didn't want to start a whole new thread asking about hotels when this thread offers good suggestions.
I am going in July for 4 nights and the following hotels offer roughly the same rate:
The Russell
Old Sydney Holiday Inn
Sofitel Wentworth
For a bit more, I am also considering the Marriott Harbour and the Establishment (which gets raves on Trip Advisor). Any advice on which one to choose?
Also, since I'm going in July, it sounds like most hotels offer last-minute deals during the low season. Should I wait to book until right befor I go? Usually I like to have my room booked well in advance, but if I can save a lot by waiting and looking for a last minute deal, maybe I should.
I am also planning a trip to Sydney and didn't want to start a whole new thread asking about hotels when this thread offers good suggestions.
I am going in July for 4 nights and the following hotels offer roughly the same rate:
The Russell
Old Sydney Holiday Inn
Sofitel Wentworth
For a bit more, I am also considering the Marriott Harbour and the Establishment (which gets raves on Trip Advisor). Any advice on which one to choose?
Also, since I'm going in July, it sounds like most hotels offer last-minute deals during the low season. Should I wait to book until right befor I go? Usually I like to have my room booked well in advance, but if I can save a lot by waiting and looking for a last minute deal, maybe I should.
#26
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cheryli, I have not stayed at any of these but the first two get good recommendations here. I am surprised that the Wentworth is going for the same price as the others as I would have thought it was a higher standard? Others may comment on this.
#27
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Peteralan: That's what I thought too, that the Wentworth is supposed to be "glitzier," but they are running this "hot deal" on the Sofitel site. Unfortunately, this special rate requires full payment in advance and is non-refundable, so I'm not sure I want to do that. But I would if I knew the hotel was worth it.
I know both the Russell and the Old Sydney Holiday Inn get good reviews from Fodorites mainly for location, but I would love input from people who have some knowledge of the Wentworth. I guess it's undergone a fairly recent renovation and few people on the board have stayed there?
Location is by far the most important thing to me, but if all three hotels are equally well located, I'd certainly want the "poshest" place, everything else being equal. A view would be best, but I think that's not going to happen at my price point.
I know both the Russell and the Old Sydney Holiday Inn get good reviews from Fodorites mainly for location, but I would love input from people who have some knowledge of the Wentworth. I guess it's undergone a fairly recent renovation and few people on the board have stayed there?
Location is by far the most important thing to me, but if all three hotels are equally well located, I'd certainly want the "poshest" place, everything else being equal. A view would be best, but I think that's not going to happen at my price point.
#28
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I have stayed at the Wentworth many times in the past - but not since it became a Sofitel - I did read a review recently where the poster complained about having a very small room.
It was always very good, nice rooms and spotlessly clean, etc.
However, the location is excellent - almost centre of the CBD - easy walk downhill to Circular Quay and much the same to Darling Harbour.
I would consider it to be of a higher standard than the others you mention, but have not stayed in them so that is only based on what I have read.
It was always very good, nice rooms and spotlessly clean, etc.
However, the location is excellent - almost centre of the CBD - easy walk downhill to Circular Quay and much the same to Darling Harbour.
I would consider it to be of a higher standard than the others you mention, but have not stayed in them so that is only based on what I have read.
#30
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While the Russell and the Holiday Inn are in a slightly better location than the Sofitel Wentworth, really, there's not much in it, and I, too, am surprised that it is matching the Russell on price. It's a vast hotel -- bult around the sixties or seventies, if I recall) on a quiet street in the business part of town, and I would expect that some of the higher rooms would have great views. If they're having trouble filling the place and they are prepared to let you go in at a great discount, then go for it!
#31
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Wow! You're not wrong, are you? Just for interest's sake, I found a booking site which offers the Sofitel Wentworth, typed in a random date, and was offered a superior king room for $239! That's certainly one in the eye for the Holiday Inn!
#32
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Thanks to everyone for their input. I was leaning towards the Wentworth when a friend said to check out the harbor view rooms at the Four Seasons just to see what it would cost, and lo and behold, they are also running a "fourth night free" special. Since I'm staying 4 nights, that will get me an Opera House view at around US$218/nt, so I think I'm now leaning towards the Four Seasons.
That's more than I normally spend (usually stick close to US$150) but it's the Four Seasons, so I'm thinking it will be worth it since I've never been to Sydney before. The forum comments about the Four Seasons do seem to indicate it has an ideal location with great views. (I also checked the Park Hyatt and the Shangri-La, but they were well out of my price range.)
That's more than I normally spend (usually stick close to US$150) but it's the Four Seasons, so I'm thinking it will be worth it since I've never been to Sydney before. The forum comments about the Four Seasons do seem to indicate it has an ideal location with great views. (I also checked the Park Hyatt and the Shangri-La, but they were well out of my price range.)
#36
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The Hyde Park Inn on Elizabeth Street is.... well, it's all right. I guess the kitchenette is a plus, but the location isn't all that good for the money. It's just down the street from the YWCA, which has rooms under $AUD100. If you plan to use the kitchen a lot, go for it.... but, remember, August is a quiet month in Sydney, and many other hotels will be dropping their rates. Frankly, the Sofitel Wentworth for an extra $40 is another world from the Hyde Park Inn, even if you had to buy from the local take-away!
#37
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In case it is any use to anyone for the future, I have stayed at the Wentworth recently (just last month). Regarding the comment about room size, I guess that is a relative thing (having been to Japan recently, the Wentworth's rooms are palatial by comparison). But we certainly didn't feel that the room was cramped at all. If you can get a package that includes breakfast you should go for it - they do a fabulous buffet breakfast, but it is quite expensive if you pay for it separately.
If you plan to stay there I would also recommend joining the Sofitel Privilege program - it is free to join and you earn points each time you stay, but you also get a welcome gift each time you stay - usually a fruit plate and a couple of drinks at the bar - I always like to get something for nothing!
If you plan to stay there I would also recommend joining the Sofitel Privilege program - it is free to join and you earn points each time you stay, but you also get a welcome gift each time you stay - usually a fruit plate and a couple of drinks at the bar - I always like to get something for nothing!
#38
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I've been checking out the Old Sydney Holiday Inn. We need a room for 2 adults and a 10 year old child and many of these hotels seem to cater only for 2 people per room.
The Old Sydney may meet our needs. It is a bit higher in price than the Hyde Park Inn but location seems much better.
So: they have a Winter Promotion on their website for $289AUD per night which includes breakfast for 2 (normally $24AUD per adult for the breakfast) and a "$50 local currency per day food and beverage credit per day to be used during stay at the hotel only."
This means you'd have to eat at their restaurant which isn't so great since we'd be out and and want to eat in other restaurants. But at all Holiday Inns children under 12 eat free so that means there would be no charge for the breakfast or for any other meal at their restaurant for our child.
Alternately, there is a 14 day advance purchase rate of $224 for our first night and then $208 for the next 2 nights for a Standard room for 3 people. This makes a total of $640 but you pay the whole thing at the time of booking, no cancellations or refunds.
This seems like it might be the one though the no cancellation policy is a bit daunting. Any thoughts on this?
The Old Sydney may meet our needs. It is a bit higher in price than the Hyde Park Inn but location seems much better.
So: they have a Winter Promotion on their website for $289AUD per night which includes breakfast for 2 (normally $24AUD per adult for the breakfast) and a "$50 local currency per day food and beverage credit per day to be used during stay at the hotel only."
This means you'd have to eat at their restaurant which isn't so great since we'd be out and and want to eat in other restaurants. But at all Holiday Inns children under 12 eat free so that means there would be no charge for the breakfast or for any other meal at their restaurant for our child.
Alternately, there is a 14 day advance purchase rate of $224 for our first night and then $208 for the next 2 nights for a Standard room for 3 people. This makes a total of $640 but you pay the whole thing at the time of booking, no cancellations or refunds.
This seems like it might be the one though the no cancellation policy is a bit daunting. Any thoughts on this?
#39
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My wife, myself and our 2 small children stayed at the Hyde Park Inn for 4 nights during April, at A$187.00 per night. It was a huge family room with one double bed and 2 single beds (proper beds, not convertable couches), plus a kitchenette and lounge area.
They provide a complimentary light continental breakfast in the room (juice, fruit, cereals, bread for toast, preserves, tea/coffee).
Travelling with children, this hotel served our purpose very well and was good value for money. The location was not bad at all, across the road from the Museum train station. The Harbour Bridge/Opera House area is an easy 20 minutes away (on foot!)
They provide a complimentary light continental breakfast in the room (juice, fruit, cereals, bread for toast, preserves, tea/coffee).
Travelling with children, this hotel served our purpose very well and was good value for money. The location was not bad at all, across the road from the Museum train station. The Harbour Bridge/Opera House area is an easy 20 minutes away (on foot!)
#40
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I stayed at the Altamont. I would stay there again. It's cute and cosy. But it really depends what you are looking for. I like Altamont because it has all the elements of a hotel without the fuss. It's not really a budget hotel. It's more like a home. Friendly staff, non-intrusive and every smiles is from the eyes and not just the face. I like that.