I'm looking at going to Sydney in August 2004 and was looking for some advice / opinions on where to stay. I am not wanting to spend more than £50 per room per night really, and would prefer a central location (with a pool) and have seen the following hotels :

- Clarion Suites Southern Cross On Harbour
- Clarion Cross Towers
- Quality Hotel Southern Cross
- Cambridge Park Inn International
- Holiday Inn Darling Harbour

If you have any experiences (good or bad) of these hotels (or similar) in Central Sydney please reply.

Thanks
Jamie

I stayed at the Quality Hotel Southern Cross last month.
I found the location fine, walking distance to most places and the train station a short walk away.
I was disappointed in the room though, I went on a cheap 3 day package so no doubt got the budget twin room with a few undesirable features.

( bathroom grouting was grotty, a ciggie burn on the bed cover)

Apart from that being a bit of a let down, the rest of the room was fine, spacious and well serviced.

Hi, Jamie L!

Well, let's at least narrow this list down a bit. The Cambridge Park Inn has been the subject of a recent post on this forum, so I have topped it for you. Somebody got a rate there of $AUD36 (what's that... about fourteen pounds?)per night, agents' rate. If that's the kind of price you are being quoted, don't hesitate. It's worth every cent of that, but, in that particular area, not much more, I'm afraid. It's on the outskirts of town in a fairly dismal area, with a lot of old factories converted into apartments and a lot of old shops converted into workshops. Also narrow streets and a few shady characters lurking.

The Clarion Cross Towers is one I don't know, but the name "cross" in the title rings warning bells. Is it in King's Cross? If so, it may well call its address "Potts Point" or "Rushcutter's Bay", as King's Cross has a deservedly notorious reputation. If it's in that area, then cross that one off the list, too.

The Holiday Inn Darling Harbour and the Southern Cross On Harbour are within a few feet of each other. They are in quite a central area, on the edge of Chinatown (opposite the Sydney Entertainment Centre), quite a noisy street near the western freeways, but you can walk to a lot of cheap restaurants in a minute or two, and if you like Darling Harbour, as many people on this site do, you'd probably find either of these equally-good. There are a whole cluster of other hotels around that area too, so probably price would be the major consideration here.

I guess the "Quality Hotel Southern Cross" is the OTHER Southern Cross hotel, not very far from the Chinatown one, more towards Central Railway Station. It used to be quite an upmarket establishment -- entertainers like Johnnie Ray used to stay there when they toured in Sydney -- but the area has gone downhill in the last few years, and the hotel looks like it has seen better days, I can't really imagine it would represent good value for money. Its best feature is that it's only a block from the western end of Hyde Park .... but it isn't near to anything else of interest.

There are many better-located budget hotels in Sydney than the ones on your list, but I really don't think any of the ones I know would have a pool, so I will refrain from pushing them at you. Of the ones you mentioned, either of the Darling Harbour ones would be my choice, with the proviso that there are a couple on your list that I'm not too sure about. Hope this is of some help.

Perhaps these places have indoor pools but very few ppl swim outdoors in august in sydney.

That's a point worth checking. It'll be too cold generally to swim in an outdoor pool in Sydney in August - unless it's heated. (and even then.....)

Cheaper hotels probably won't have indoor pools.

Even big hotels may not have a functioning pool in August.

Check out wotif.com.au or ratestogo.com.au or lastminute.com.au for hotels. We're staying five star, executive floor with free canapes, drinks & breakfast Nov 30 for AUD235 via last minute-not so far from your budget-peak season-right in the middle of town-high class and perfect location. You'll do better than those you've mentioned!

Thanks for your replies so far, especially Alan.

Ok, so if I don't bother with the pool, can you please recommend me some hotels (low-ish fee, good location + good, clean room etc...) in Sydney.

Thanks again

Jamie

I think Alan already has!

Hi

We stayed at the high end (quay West) when we first arrived in Sydney and at the mid level (Southern Cross on Gouldburn) when we returned to Sydney from NZ. No doubt Quay West was a great place but our stay at Southern Cross was fine - room was very large, king bed, sofa, chairs, decent bath and rate included breakfast. The people at the hotel were extremely nice and we'd have to say that we enjoyed being there.

Hi, again, Jamie_L!

Now that we are not constrained by a pool, the job becomes much easier. There are any number of good hotels around Sydney, and you might first like to try the Old Sydney Holiday Inn in case they have a special rate (which, apparently, they offer every now and again) for this quiet time of the year. You will find the location hard to beat. The Marriott Harbourside (NOT the Hyde Park Marriott!) is also very well-located and is unlikely to be full at this time of year, so, once again, you might get a room with a view for less than you'd pay in December. Another hotel for great views is the Shangri-La (formerly the ANA International). All of these are upmarket (which usually means overpriced!) hotels which I normally don't bother recommending, but since you are coming in off-season, and these places are so BIG, you might just strike a bargain.

If you want to pay less and have the experience of staying in a grand old Sydney building, full of character, there are two stand-outs in great locations which you might consider (both have websites where you can inspect before you decide):
1. The more expensive (but what a location!) of the two is the Russell. There is no better-located hotel in Sydney... just a few steps from the ferry wharves at Circular Quay, the bridge to your left and the Opera House straight across the bay. No lift (but it's only three floors) and no air conditioning (but, in August, who cares?), but the convenience is something the people who stay way up in Darling Harbour can only drem about.
2. The Lord Nelson Brewery Hotel is the oldest in Sydney, and is at the back of the Rocks, a five-minute walk from the Russell, in a very quiet street which hasn't really changed much in a hundred years. You won't get a view, but you'll enjoy the ambience.

If these are too expensive for you (and the Russell will blow your fifty pound budget, though not by much), you may like to try some bargain-basement places like the Grand in Hunter Street (seven minutes' easy walk to Circular Quay), the Coronation (right near the Town Hall and the Queen Victoria Building), or, for a really bizarre experience, the old and ugly Palisade, just near the Lord Nelson Brewery, and featuring rooms with a view for about $AUD120 a night. Another interesting choice might be the Australian Hotel, interestingly-located right near the walkway entrance to the Harbour Bridge. All of these will give you a different experience to the usual chain-hotel peas-in-a-pod establishments, and I always think that adds to the positive memories of the holiday.
Whichever you choose, bring a jumper in case the September winds come early, but remember your hat also, as Sydney is ALWAYS bright, even in August. Have a great time!

What is a jumper?

Hi michi,
A jumper is another name for a sweater or jersey depending on where you are from.
Around these parts ...Australia and New Zealand, we call them jumpers.
Don't ask me why, it sounds a bit crazy now that you have pointed it out.

Christa

Thanks for letting me know what a jumper is. In Canada I think a jumper can be a horse trained in jumping (is this right?), or female clothing that is sleeveless and collarless and is usually worn over a blouse or sweater.

I'm glad I asked!