We will be spending 4 nights in Sydney in August 2002. Can someone please recommend where a good place to stay is? We don't need a luxury resort just a plain room in a good location. Where is the best location in the city that will be central to the major attractions and have plenty of dining options.<BR><BR>Thanks!!

Depends on what you want. Most people stay near Darling Harbor - Near downtown, the water, sydney harbor bridge. Lot's of food. However, pretty touristy. Loads of mass transit from that area.<BR><BR>Some people like to stay at the beaches like Bondi or Manly. Although Manly is a long ferry ride from most of the sites. There are some really nice hotels near Finger wharf - but it puts you in the middle of the sites.<BR><BR>If you can drive on the left hand side of the road, I would rent a car and stay out near bondi. If you can't be hassled driving, I would stay downtown or in Darling Harbor.<BR><BR>Have fun!!!! It is a blast...ALthough you will be going in their winter time, so take a rain jacket!!!!

Julie:<BR>We stay at The Wentworth which is about a five minute taxi ride from Darling Harbour. A 4 star hotel costing under $NZ100 per night for my wife and I.<BR>It's a great place to stay. Helpful staff and excellent rooms. <BR>Sophia Loren stayed there a few years ago. For whatever that's worth.<BR>John

Don't stay where you have to take a taxi because you don't have to in Sydney because accommodation can be found down near Circular Quay which is where the trains, ferries and buses leave to go just about anywhere. The eating establishments around there are nice too. <BR>If you do a search of this site for previously suggested accommodation you should have enough information to keep you amused for the next week. <BR>I would NEVER EVER suggest anyone rent a car in Sydney 1/ because the traffic is dreadful 2/ because the public transport system can get you anywhere, anytime, very cheaply and 3/ parking is expensive in Sydney if and when you can find it. <BR>Perhaps just search ' Alan ' as Alan Jarmanah (sp?) has given a lot of helpful and interesting notes on accommodation. He is from Sydney and very helpful and informative. Then ask a specific question of him and you can't go wrong. However there have been people on this forum recently who have used others ID and who are making life difficult for most people.

HI<BR><BR>I live in Sydney...there are dozens of reasonable hotels in Sydney. Try the Millenium in Kings Cross which has great views of the city and harbour but is a 10-15 min walk into the city. or why not look at North Sydney. We checked out the Harbourview and Duxton fior some visiting friends which are right by the bridge (the Harbourview has, great views as its name suggests) and you can either walk pover the bridge or take a train easily. because they are mainly business-oriented hotels they have much better rates than over the other side. <BR><BR>sonia

Julie,<BR>I can also recommend the Millennium Hotel - although I know there will be howls of protest from those who consider the Kings Cross area should not be recommended - we have stayed at the Hotel several times in the last few months and have enjoyed each stay a little more.<BR>The rooms are large and comfortable and have wonderful views of the harbour and city.<BR>The train stop is just across the road, as is the bus stop.<BR>The Cross area is not the most pleasant, but no worse than most other big cities think London or San Francisco - and as long as you take normal care and are not walking about at 3 in the morning down dark alleys - there is nothing to fear.

Hi, Julie!<BR><BR>If you want a hotel with real Australian character in a GREAT location, the one that gets the most consistent raves on this forum would have to be the Russell at the Rocks. The only complaint I have ever heard about this hotel is the air-conditioning (it either has none or it isn't very good -- can't remember which, but it's on this Fodor's site somewhere if you want to do a search) but if you're coming in August this will hardly be an issue. The Russell is tiny -- just two storeys -- and is right at Circular Quay... you walk out the door and the ferries are in front of you, the Opera House is slightly to the left, and the Bridge hard left. Unbeatable location for sightseeing.<BR><BR>If that's a bit pricey for you you might like to try the Grand on Hunter Street... towards the end of last year it was advertising single rooms at $55, doubles at $77, triples at $88, quads at $99. While it isn't at the water's edge (ten minutes' walk maximum), it is in a good location, right near a subway station and only a few blocks from the main shopping areas of Sydney. It's a pleasant looking building that has been around for a long time, so expect an old-fashioned atmosphere. There is a website with a picture of the facade for you to inspect: http://sydney.citysearch.com.au/E/V/SYDNE/0022/99/15/1.html.<BR><BR>Another great location is the Criterion at Pitt and Park Streets, but it might be a little too "budget" for you... I always recommend it unhesitatingly to people seeking the cheapest good rooms in the city, as it is in a fantastic location right near the Town Hall and the Queen Victoria Building, and close to all the bargain-basement eateries of Chinatown and the Grace Bros basement; however, as far as I know it is strictly share-bath (as are so many of the old Sydney hotels) which accounts for its budget price of (recently) around $50 per room per night, and, it has to be admitted, it's not a grand-looking building.<BR><BR>If you want a "chain" hotel, you are going to pay for the name (and, if you are lucky, the view) and get an atmosphere indistinguishable from what you get at home.... I guess one is much like the other, except that I would advise you to keep away from the Kings Cross area, as it is really not close in, and the walk is not a particularly pleasant one. Depends on the specials that are on offer for August.<BR><BR>Good luck, and have a great holiday! <BR><BR>

Hi,<BR>We went to Sydney in March and stayed at the Regent. It was in the Rocks area, and very nice! However, it was a bit pricey, so we would probably stay at the Holiday Inn in the Rocks area next time as we would be staying for at least a week. Since it was our first time in Sydney, the Regent was worth it for the view of the bridge and Opera House! Have a great time.<BR>

Hi Julie!<BR>As Alan writes above, I too have heard the Russell hotel mentioned NUMEROUS times in the research that I have done for my trip to Sydney. <BR>The web site is [email protected]<BR>You'll be able to see pictures of the establishment. <BR>Good luck...<BR>ib

Hi again, Julie!<BR><BR>If the website quoted above doesn't work for you (I couldn't make it work for me) then you can try an alternative: www.australia.travelmall.com/travelmall/hotel/Sydney+(NSW)/The+Russell+Hotel<BR><BR>The picture there will give you an idea of what is in store. Have a good time!

Hi,<BR><BR>If you are young and want to mix woth other young people then Coogee is excellent. There is a hotel there called the Coogee Bay Hotel. There are a lot of back packers, a beautifull beach and lots of good bars. It isn't that far from Sydney town either.

therussell.com.au<BR><BR>If you have an Entertainment Book you will get great rates at lots of hotels -try: ParkRoyal at Darling Harbour, Quay West Suites and the Millennium Hotel which has been mentioned by previous posters. Ask for the Entertainment Rate and then get hold of the card!!

For Des.

Check out www.wotif.com. It's a last-minute hotel reservation site that we used for most of our Australia bookings. They only book within 14 days of arrival but it's a great place to start price shopping. www.laterooms.com and www.asia-hotels.com also offer a similar service but Wotif had the most options in Sydney.