Hi there,

My husband and I are headed to Australia for the 1st time this February. We're doing a couple days in Sydney, staying at the Rendezvous Stafford Hotel. Then we'll head to Port Douglas, and before we return to the States, we have one final night in Sydney.

I was thinking it would be nice to stay in a different part of the city for the final night, and I'm looking at the following hotels:

Hotel Altamont (but they're at the bottom of my list due to reviews I've read)

Regents Court (currently at the top)

Medusa

Establishment Hotel or Blue Woolloomooloo (using a discount that I can get)

Central Park - has anyone heard of this one?

Any thoughts or feedback would be appreciated. We're in our late 20s/early 30s and are total cityfolk and like boutique-y hotels near the action (both day and night). For the price, anything under $230ish (USD) would be our preference.

Thanks in advance!

Hi BostonGal,

I just got back from Sydney last month, doing a bunch of site inspections - if you want boutique - the Establishment Hotel only has 33 rooms; their restaurant has been voted the best in Sydney, cool bar -it's also very easy to pass right by, it's sort of "incognito". Rooms are sleek & sexy.

Hope this is helpful.

Regards,

Melodie
Certified Aussie Specialist

Thanks for the feedback, Melodie. I'm just wondering about the location of Establishment and Blue. I was hoping to be in a "cooler" part of town. But I'll certainly keep your comments in mind and I hope to make a decision by tomorrow. Thanks again!

ttt

I ended up booking three rooms for our last night and I'm STILL trying to decide. Unfortunately, I haven't had a stitch of time to read up anymore because I've been traveling for work and barely have time to check emails, nevermind finalize these plans

I ended up booking Blue, Establishment Hotel and then also Medusa in Darlinghurst.

I thought it would be cool to stay in Darlinghurst, and from the travel guide and website, I thought it would only be about a 15min walk into the city center, but then I asked a couple colleagues and they thought it was much further.

Any further thoughts on the 3 hotels above? Does it really matter which one we choose or should I just do eenie meenie miney moe? =)

Thanks in advance for your feedback!

There is a vast difference between Establishment and Medusa. Have you actually checked the prices? Don't know Blue but if I could afford it I would definitely be choosing Establishment over the Medusa. Darlighurst is in walking distance from the city but there are plenty of buses any way. Establishment is near Circular Quay, The Rocks etc. Good luck.

Peteralan,

Yes, I've checked the prices. With my discount, Establishment is about AUD100 more than Medusa. Blue is only a couple dollars more than Establishment.

I just thought it would be fun to stay in a different part of the city for our last night, but maybe not!!!

Well apparently Blue is the hotel at Woolloomooloo previously called the W. It is on the finger wharf where Russell Crowe lives so you could drop around and see him ( careful not to be too close to the phone though! ). That area is on the fringe of the city and if you want to stay in a different area , then maybe it is for you.

Establishment would have to be the coolest place in town! Super trendy (or I suspect so - I'm too old to sneak in the door!)

Blue - cool - but location?? not my favourite.

Medusa - I think this is the one some friends stayed at and it was bloody awful! And seedy! Pretty uncool all 'round, if you ask me.

Establishment - if you can afford it. Blue otherwise.

Park Hyatt on Campbell's Cove if you want to blow out on your last night in town - magic location - but big bucks.

Or you could try Whelan's Hotel near Strathfield Station - trying for the seriously daggy end of cool! (and cheap) and.....

Margo, I think you just solved my dilemna, thanks!

I don't mind staying in budget hotels or "quirky" places, but seedy?? No thanks!!

Blue looked cool and really industrial, but the "coolest place in town!" comment sold me on Establishment.

Thanks!

I live in this beautiful city. My recommendation would be a room/suite where you have a view of the harbour and/or Opera House eg Quay West or Quay Grand have reasonable last minute rates at www.wotif.com.au or www.au.lastminute.com Park Hyatt and Four Seasons also have views, the former more boutiquey.

Go to the establishment Hotel!!
We went there last year as part of our Honeymoon. I am in my early 30's, and very much a city kind of person. Its very boutiquee, and right in the heart of it all.
It is on a backstreet just off Pitt Street, and looks a bit dodgy from the outside, but that makes it all the better from the inside, its very Zen, very personal and just ACE!!
The only thing is, because it is nestled in amongst bigger buildings, there is no view from the room, but with the harbour a 2 min stroll away, I wasnt bothered!!
If you want me to send you some photos of the hotel, just let me know. [email protected]