What is the chicest Sydney hotel with a great harbour view?
 

I have been recommended the W Hotel in Sydney but would love to hear of another if there is one - I am going in March 05 for a week.

Katherine22
Try The Hyatt, Quay West Suites, Shangri La, Four Seasons, The Harbour Marriott. You will need to ask for a harbour view room and, of course, they will cost extra $$$.
Most of these hotels have websites so do a search.

Katherine

I do not recall the W as havning an esp. good harbour view - we stayed at the Marriott with an opera view ($40.00 US extra) but we had to stand at the window. The Hyatt at the Rocks in actually on the habour but it depends on what you want from a habour view - the whole magila or a very cute harbour.

Forget the Hyatt, Mariott, and Four Seasons in my opinion. Hyatt - overpriced and only 4 floors. Great to see Opera House, but better to be in skyscraper to get FULL VIEW. The Mariott faces the Harbour, but rooms/glass face to either side - giving a partial view only. Four Seasons sits right in front of Shangri-La but is half as tall and the rooms very tiny for the price compared to Shangri-La. My first pick would be Shangri-La in a "Grand Harbour View Room". 2nd pick: Quay West Suites - directly to the side of Shangri-La, about a block or two closer to Circular Quay. 3rd pick: Intercontinental. E-mail me if you'd like to see pictures from our room, [email protected].

Try the Intercontinental in one of their club rooms which have access to new top floor club lounge. Fabulous view of Harbour, Opera House, Botanical gardens on three sides with floor to ceiling glass. Also have outside wraparound deck. Just Wonderful.

I'm glad everybody's been steering you away from the W; I don't know what the harbour view there would be like (not, I would imagine, the equal of some of the others mentioned above), but you would certainly be disappointed in the location, well away from the sights you cam to see in a not-very-inviting part of Sydney. All the other suggestions are more-or-less equal, depending on the particular room. If money was no object, my choice would be the Hyatt, but I'd specify that I MUST have a room that looks straight at Fort Denison. All you'll have between you and the blue water is a small strip of grass!

what does "chicest" mean?

Alan how was the sub continent?

Hope you all had a good trip.
AndrewDavid

Johnj,

It's the kind of accomodation you expect when you and Jenny come to visit us in '06:

-dogs and duck sleeping bags
-open refrigerator self service room service
-weekly linen change
-one dog walk per day ( req'd of all guests)
-guest privleges at washer/dryer
-walk to town location
-optional napkin ring
-make your own breakfast privleges
-gift basket of purloined low rent hotel shampoo, conditioner and skin cream.

etc etc

A/D

Cannot imagine a better view of the harbor in Sydney than from the Grand Quay unless you want to see the Opera house as well in which case you might want the Hyatt.

Forget the W unless you like pretentious posing as "cutting edge"...I hate it but I like a bit of soul.The view would not be as good as many others and you would not be excited by the location. I'd seriously consider the Shangri La if you want a view. Best wishes for your stay here!

I thought it was "choicest", but with a spelling error - just goes to show, eh!?

John - I'd worry about Sante Fe in '06 - just what is a dog and duck sleeping bag?

As long as it is sante fe,nm and not
kelowna,bc.

Would the watsons bay hotel qualify as "chicest" with a great harbour view?

JJ: We are still researching Kelowna, but are presently in Santa Fe. Not to worry.
AD

How was it, Alan? I think we should be told.

I can't speak for the other hotels, but we really like the Quay West.

The view of both the Opera House an dHarbour Bridge was fabulous. Even while in bed, we had a view of Harbour Bridge.

One of the highlights of our trip was eating dinner outside on our patio while havnig direct views of the Opera House and HArbout Bridge.

Alice13, I hardly know where to begin... it's the best holiday destination I have ever been to. I have deliberately refrained from starting any comment here (wrong forum, for one thing!) because I knew that if I did, I'd never want to stop, and everyone would complain! So, remember, you asked.... be it on your own head!

The thing I loved most about India is probably the same thing that so many people hate about it.... you don't just stand back and experience it from a safe distance, cocooned in your western comfort zone; you're plunged into it 100%, and it's a bit like being thrown in the deep end after years of paddling around in the shallows. It's a destination that INVOLVES every fibre of your consciousness.... you will feel uplifted, depressed, inspired, disgusted, fascinated, repelled, respectful, and hostile.... sometimes all at the same time.... but the one thing you can't feel is aloof.

Every day I fell into bed (ouch! Beds in India are HARD!)totally used up, totally overwhelmed. Relaxing? No way! Unforgettable? Every single minute. My advice to anyone contemplating a trip to India: do it before it disappears (and I guess it's inevitable that the India I loved WILL change, and soon!), and don't be afraid to step outside your comfort zone. You will return from India a slightly different person.... and there are not many holiday destinations of which one can say that!

Well, you asked.... and, therefore, katherine22 will blame you for this shameful hijacking of her thread (sorry, Katherine22)!

Sorry John..Watsons Bay Hotel would not qualify as either chic or choice although I guess perfectly acceptable. Not sure if their rooms have views but it is a long way from the city centre ( reached by ferry during the day ( not sure about night)or a long bus trip. Stick to the city or if you want further away but not too far perhaps the Ritz at Double Bay ( I think it could be called the Sir Stamford now).

Kelowna,bc??

What?

I really don't know why I answered this question - I've never been in a chic hotel in my life - let alone "chicest" - whatever that is! In any country :( :?

I'm with you, margo ... and with Groucho Marx ("I don't think I'd care to belong to a club that would have me as a member").

But Neil, didn't you join this club?

A/D, this doesn't satisfy the legal definition of a club under Commonwealth law. That's my excuse.

PS: maybe the original poster meant to say "chickest", in other words an establishment especially favoured by ladies? (OK, katherine22, it's about time you put paid to all this speculation.)

I stayed at Quay West, we had a wonderful view of the harbor, bridge and Opera House from the 14th floor. I would highly recommend Quay West. We stayed in a 2 bedroom suite that had a kitchen, washer and dryer, living/dining room. It was pricey but worth every penny!

Have a wonderful time.

On our first trip we stayed at "Quay West" in a one bedroom apartment overlooking the harbor and the Opera House on the 23rd floor.everything about the hotel was great and I can only give high marks to the staff. The views aree spectacular!!

On our second trip we booked a one bedroom corporate condo near Circular Quay for two weeks. Unfortunately the tenant before us stayed 8-9 months and left some damage. When I reported this and asked to be released from the balance of the contract - they offered to move us and surprise! they took us to a 3 bedroom penthouse overlooking Darling Harbor!

We've stayed at both harbors now and Circular Quay would still be my favorite but my penthouse at Darling Harbor will always be a good remembrance.

Sydney is probably our favorite city to visit in the world!

My family and I vote for an upper floor at the Quay West-phenomenal views of sunrise, the Opera House and the Bridge. Bring your camera for the night photography from the poolside balcony.

To our "good" friend Neil

Someone who can really put together a great pot of chili deserves the definition of "chic" and "chicest".

But then "is that anything resembling "test results"???


chic ( P ) Pronunciation Key (shk)
adj. chic·er, chic·est
Conforming to the current fashion; stylish: chic clothes; a chic boutique.
Adopting or setting current fashions and styles; sophisticated: chic, well-dressed young executives. See Synonyms at fashionable.

n.
The quality or state of being stylish; fashionableness.
Sophistication in dress and manner; elegance.

My thanks, Ellen. I got up the energy to open my 'Australian Concise Oxford Dictionary' and sure enough, there it is, in black and white. I guess I'd prefer 'more chic' and 'most chic', but anyone who knows me would tell you that chicishness isn't the first word that would spring to mind, so what would I know?

Shiker (Yiddish): drunk.

Well we do need you to keep us on a straight path Neil!!

Is it getting warmer there now - it was a bit on the cool side when we were in Canberra in September - but your city is so beautiful - I could be a bit prejudiced though since I've been working in DC for sooooo long!

I wish you and your family a very happy holiday.

Thanks Ellen, and you too in no doubt chilly DC.

Yes, Canberra has warmed up after the usual scrappy spring, and some decent rainfall has left the city looking very green.

The big news is that the Federal and ACT governments have announced a major redevelopment program designed to bring more life to the city centre and surrounds.

Much of this will be inspired (we're told) by a return to unrealised visions of Canberra's planner, the Chicago architect Walter Burley Griffin (with a lot of input from his wife, Marion Mahoney Griffin). For instance, Constitution Avenue will become what he wanted it to be, a busy mix of commercial and residential buildings; and the city centre ("Civic") will be linked up with the lakeshore by roofing over the 6-lane road that now separates them.

I get suspicious when I'm told that something will be entirely financed by the private sector, though - there's usually a sting in the tail of such assurances. Hopefully in this case it won't be more bland, cheap buildings - we have enough of that already.

The parklike air of central Canberra is a source of complaints from visitors who'd like to be able to leg it around all the national institutions but find it all just too far. But apparently it wasn't so much Griffin's idea as that of the "garden city" movement whose adherents hijacked his plan.

And still no sign of a much-needed light rail/tram system in this very spread-out and car-dependent city. Nor of a decent East Coast (Brisbane-Melbourne) fast rail system, despite the government's financing of that pretty useless and wasteful track from Darwin to Alice Springs, a masterly piece of pork-barrelling. When it comes to the area where most of the country's population lives, presumably the money has to come from the private sector, which means nothing will happen. As usual. Government by short-sighted accountants (sorry, accountants, that was a low blow).

End of grumble. A great Christmas and New Year to all!

Perhaps our latest charitable endeavor should be to get those lazy tourists some bicycles.

A/D

Bicycles??? What we could really use would be those Segways to get around on. I could have used one walking all around Floriade!!

I would recommend the Double Bay area of Sydney. The hotels the Sir Stamford Plaza (22 Knox Street). Ask for a view of Double Bay on a high level floor.

I enjoyed taking the ferry from Circular Quay to Doublebay for dinner at one of the many restaurants.

That's a nice hotel, Hogtown Jim, but Katherine22 needs to know that Double Bay is a suburb of Sydney from which you can either take a bus, ferry or train (from Edgecliff Station, about 700 hilly metres away)to get to the "main" harbour. It's certainly not walking distance. Count on twenty to thirty minutes of travel time (including walking to the preferred transport)every time you travel to the city proper.

If you do choose Double Bay, you should also do a price comparison by looking at the Golden Sheaf; it has a website at http://sydney.citysearch.com.au/E/V/...7/15/60/1.html. This used to be partricularly good value for money; I don't know how it weighs up against the competition nowadays.

Double Bay is the 'la dolce vita' area of Sydney; everything in the shops costs twice as much as the same article would elsewhere, the sidewalk cafes are teeming with minor celebrities anxious to show their face so that other minor celebrities know they're still alive (and solvent enough to sip coffee in Double Bay!), and people walk three poodles and an Afghan Hound all at once. A walk around the main shopping area can be quite entertaining.

Alan,
I am afraid your information is somewhat out of date - since the inception of the giant, and very up makret, Westfield Shopping Centre in Bondi Junction Double Bay has become something of a 'ghost town' by comparison and the double pay term is disappearing as fast as the shops and the major or minor celebrities!!

Great news, Prue! I'll head down to Double Bay without delay, with my three poodles and the Afghan, and be the most major minor celebrity in town!

Next you'll be telling me they've opened an Aldi on South Head Road!

Perhaps we'd better alert the Salvation Army and St Vincent de Paul Society.

Alan,
Anything is possible!!

prue is right ( is she Prue of Prue and True fame?)...everyone has moved to Bondi Junction ( or Westfield at least). However your advice about prices Alan is still relevant. A friend of mine priced a rocking horse last weekend in Double Bay and it was $325...that same afternoon he bought the exact same thing in Westfield for $69!

so...Double Pay is an understatement - it should perhaps be called Quintuple Pay! (not too catchy, though)