Fodor's Travel Talk Forums

Fodor's Travel Talk Forums (https://www.fodors.com/community/)
-   Australia & the Pacific (https://www.fodors.com/community/australia-and-the-pacific/)
-   -   Where to stay-Sydney and Melbourne (https://www.fodors.com/community/australia-and-the-pacific/where-to-stay-sydney-and-melbourne-997765/)

michelle_dorland Nov 13th, 2013 04:34 PM

Where to stay-Sydney and Melbourne
 
What are the best areas of Sydney and Melbourne to stay in? We would like to be located centrally enough to either walk or take public transit. Do you have any hotel/inn recommendations for either city?
Thanks!

Susan7 Nov 13th, 2013 04:58 PM

Both cities have good public transport. Some suggestions for the middle range of Sydney hotels are below, the first two are the most central (CBD, The Rocks), the other two are well located for transport in interesting neighbourhoods:

This hotel is right in the city, I've been there for a conference, it has nicely restored deco interiors http://www.gracehotel.com.au/

The Russell Hotel in the Rocks is often recommended here http://www.therussell.com.au/

You could also stay in Potts Point (inner east), that's better located for restaurants, if that's an issue. Simpsons is a popular B & B:
http://www.simpsonshotel.com/

A few friends have stayed at the Arts Hotel in Paddington/Darlinghurst and they gave good reports. http://www.artshotel.com.au/

michelhuebeli Nov 13th, 2013 06:26 PM

Very centra[ for public transport but also the most central for tourist attractions and activities (sure it's touristy, but in a good sense - catering to visitors and making them feel welcome) is the area near Circular Quay and The Rocks. It is where you have the Opera House on one side of the bay (called Sydney Cove), the terminals for all the ferries coming and going, many bus lines terminating, and the trains coming through up above, and on the other side of the bay is The Rocks, the historic area where the first settlers established "Sydney" in the old days. Up above is the Harbour Bridge - go up the Argyle Stairs and climb up on the Pylon for 360 views: www.pylonlookout.com.au

The Rocks with its pubs, art and souvenir galleries, an open-air market on some days, and the historic setting is easy to like, and you simply walk to any transportation mode you like to go explore elsewhere in Sydney.

I can't recommend a specific hotel there since I always stay with private, but if you use google maps and zoom in, that's one way to find lots of names. Input "Argyle Street and George Street, Sydney NSW" and zoom in then follow the names and individual websites.

One day when I win the lottery I'll go stay at the Park Hyatt (see http://sydney.park.hyatt.com/en/hote...d_lclb_gplaces), but there are many other hotels in various price classes dotted around Sydney Cove.

Backpackers and others like the Potts Point / Kings Cross area, there are hotels and hostels, and lots of nightlife, some of it a bit on the raunchy side (red-light district). Search on google maps for streets like Macleay Street, Victoria Street, and thereabouts.

Dedicated beach bums like to stay right by the famous beach in Bondi, but that's a bus ride or bus-and-train ride away from it all.

Hope this helps.

la_dolce_vita Nov 13th, 2013 11:47 PM

We just stayed this week at Hotel Alto on Bourke hotel in Melbourne. Within a block of southern cross station where airport bus is located. Great hotel and great service. Trams run on the street and sightseeing bus around the corner. We loved Melbourne great restaurants, art and culture. In Sydney now. Harbour beautiful loved opera house tour. Took sightseeing hop on and off bus and pretty disappointed in Sydney as a city. Except for Harbour nothing exceptional.

lavandula Nov 14th, 2013 06:37 PM

If you are staying in the city (Sydney CBD), then the further you get away from the Rocks area and the closer you get to Central (Railway), the cheaper the hotels. This does not necessarily mean the quality is worse, but there are more smaller hotels and fewer of the big chains. You are also close to Haymarket / Chinatown. Hard to give recommendations as I live in Sydney and don't normally stay in hotels, but I am a little familiar with a few such as the Westin at Martin Place (close to Pitt St Mall), the Intercontinental on Macquarie St (close to the Opera House, restaurants) or the Langham in Kent St (close to the Rocks, lovely restaurant). All are high-end and are good locations. I also like the Grace Hotel (I used to have coffee there regularly), not a bad location for the shopping district. At the other end of the spectrum is the YHA chain of hostels - from what I understand, the one at Central in Rawson Pl. is a very good one indeed, comparable with many hotels, and right next to the major rail hub of Sydney.

Lavandula

dreamon Nov 14th, 2013 09:04 PM

For Melbourne you could consider staying slightly outside of the CBD, for instances Carlton, South Yarra, Richmond, South Melbourne. I think these give you a better feel for Melbourne as locals see it. How long are you staying? Check stayz.com.au.

Susan7 Nov 15th, 2013 04:09 PM

For Melbourne, Crossley Hotel is good but basic, it's near to Chinatown and reasonably priced. http://www.crossleyhotel.com.au/default-en.html

The Mantra group also has good deals, check their website.

I've also stayed at a good serviced apartment, Milano, near to Victoria Market, which is a great place for breakfast with fantastic coffee.

Whichever part of the CBD you stay in Melbourne, you are near to something interesting I've found. Melbourne is fairly compact as a city so walking around or getting the tram for further flung places is fairly easy.

KayF Nov 16th, 2013 05:57 PM

This place has been in the media a bit lately, it's newish. I haven't stayed there, it's at the top end of town about 10 mins walk to the very centre of the central business district where all the shops are. A bit further to walk to Southbank, the river etc. Not the best location but OK.
http://www.ovolohotels.com/hotels/19LBS/en/

You could check these are, Punthill Apartments and Citadines are self-contained with kitchen etc. We've stayed in Citadines in Europe and they were good value.

http://www.punthill.com.au/
http://www2.citadines.com/en/austral...ne/bourke.html

If you want more info about the location of any of these, sing out.

Kay

farrermog Nov 18th, 2013 01:35 AM

For Sydney, check out the Travelodge at Wynyard. Very well located - close to the CBD/ main shopping area and the Rocks/ Circular Quay - and virtually alongside Wynyard train station and bus terminus, clean and comfortable, and usually reasonably priced.

dutyfree Nov 18th, 2013 07:50 PM

In Sydney,we stayed at the Radisson Blu which was in the CBD and close to both the Rocks and Darling Harbor. The hotel was great and the room was huge. In Melbourne,we stayed at the Novotel that was in a wonderful location and close to everything.

tt7 Nov 19th, 2013 12:26 AM

I would second dutyfree's suggestion of the Novotel - it's right in the middle of town, in a great location and within walking distance of most places (including the tennis, if you're energetic - walk along the river from Federation Square .... though maybe not with a 5 year old?).

If you haven't already, check out wotif -
http://www.wotif.com/search/results?...8&viewType=all
- it will give you a pretty good idea of what's available at what price point. I suspect everywhere tends to be more expensive when the tennis is on....

MissGreen Nov 19th, 2013 01:42 AM

Best areas to stay in? Park Hyatt at Circular Quay in Sydney near The Rocks (a historical part of Sydney).


All times are GMT -8. The time now is 03:43 AM.