For a hotel, I would prefer to stay away from the typical tourist areas of Sydney and I'm thinking that maybe one of the outlying neighborhoods might be better, maybe even as far as Manly or Bondi. <BR> <BR>Any suggestions for a combination of quality, decent nightlife and restaurants, etc.? <BR> <BR>Thanks. <BR> <BR>PS - Exactly how many hours is Sydney behind/ahead from NYC?

I just got back from Fiji & Sydney. I had a tour package from smartours.net. We stayed at the Furama in Sydney. It was a decent hotel (clean, comfortable, etc) - no pool. It was a 5 minute walk to Darling Harbor but you were not in a real tourist area. The Bondi area is pretty "Flordia" like. Fun to visit, but a 1/2 hour bus ride back to town. <BR> <BR>Restaurants at Darling Harbor at great. Nicks has great seafood, as does Jordan's. <BR> <BR>I am in CST, I think the time was about 18 hours ahead. I was gone for 8 days and NEVER adjusted to the time. It was hard. The dollar is very strong right now - ATM's and credit cards are EVERYWHERE & gave the best exchange. I brought little cash. <BR> <BR>Enjoy, but remember their fall is just starting! <BR> <BR>Susan

Hi Susan: We stayed at the Furama Darling Harbor last year and it was awful. I personally wouldn't recommend it to anyone. There are so many different hotels in Sydney that are much better in the same price range. <BR>Check the web sites for Sydney hotels. Many have last minute specials, especially over the week ends. <BR>But as far as we are concerned........ <BR>Never in the Furama again!!! It was more like a quick trip to a motel 6, but worse. <BR>Also, instead of wasteing your time on the bus, take the ferry over to Bondi, it is a wonderful trip and you can see the harbor and surrounding area. <BR>Pudgey <BR>

Pudgey, I think you are confusing Bondi with Manly - there is no ferry to Bondi, but certainly is the lovely trip to Manly where you get to enjoy the harbour.

OHHH! Sorry about that. You are right, I meant to say Manly. I guess I just got upset when someone actually recommended the Furama. <BR>Plus, we are still suffering from a bit of jet lag, we just got home from our second trip to Sydney a few days ago. This time we stayed at the Intercontinental and it was much more enjoyable....hint,hint! <BR>Thanks for correcting me. Pudgey

Just ret'd. Best place to stay is the Rocks area......near buses...ferries... <BR>and trains.

Hello, <BR>I just went to Sydney but I stayed at Circular Quay so I quess you dont even want to hear about my hotel, but as for restaurants. One of the very best restaurants I have been to in my life is Banc, expensive, french but absoluteley great. I was not able to get into Tetsuyas , you have to reserve even before you get to Australia to go there. Also you can try MG Garage it is a good restaurant. there are so many to choose from. <BR> <BR>carlos

I guess it depends on what you want to spend. Sydney is quite expensive. I stayed at the YMCA and it was clean and cheap. You have a choice of private room, dormatory, private room with bath etc. It truly was ok. And within walking distance of many of the main sites in Sydney. For the low cost, I would recomend it. Not fancy but definately comfortable and I met a lot of Aussies who also stay there and were so nice. Consider this alternative

Don't know how long you're there for. We stayed in the CBD for our inital stay of 4 nights which was great for the convenience to the Quay for Ferries, etc. We also stayed at the Crowne Plaza in Coogee Beach which we enjoyed for a night. Great strip on inexpensive restauarnts/cafes near by (non-touristy), but travel from there to other places is definitely more challenging. I enjoyed Manly, but don't know that I'd recommend staying there.

Hi Steve <BR>Last November we stayed at the Marriott on Hyde Park. It was terrific. We were staying on a reward but some other travelers we met said the rates they got were very reasonable. We stayed on the Concierge floor which was a great deal. For $33OZ per room additional, we got continental breakfast for two (hard boiled eggs, cereal, fruits, lunchmeats, juice, beverages very European style), plus the waiter gave us each bottled water for each day, plus each evening included was coctails (beer and wine) with caesar salad, fruits and cheeses). At the time that was about $18 a couple, which we thought was great! Plus we met a lot of great people there from the US and from OZ. <BR>We liked walking so we walked to Darling and Circular Quay. On occasion took a cab in the evening to get back. <BR>

What about North Sydney ? The Ridges at North Sydney is okay. Its close to the CBD but not so touristy .....