car

Hi,
We will be arriving to Sydney the 26th of July and planning to stay there for 8 days.
We are a family of 5 so we are looking to apartments or suites.
My question is: Will Sydney be very busy during these days?, and we better guarantee our booking now or wait to be closer to the dates in order to get better offers.

Tks in advance

Ceidleh

It's winter in Sydney during July, so you could be ok waiting - but you never know if there could be a large convention or conference in town that could book up some of the less expensive accommodations.

There are plenty of apartments and suite hotels in Sydney and the surrounds. It all depends on what area you might be interested in staying.

I've stayed at Quay West Suites Hotel right in The Rocks area. Clean, quiet and very centrally located - great views of Opera House and Circular Quay/Harbour Bridge.

We had a 2 bedroom/2 bath unit with a pull out sofa in the living room. Unit also had a nice size kitchen, dining area and our own washer/dryer. Hotel has a pool and on-site restaurant as well - and many day tour operators will pick you up right at front door of Quay West.

I've also stayed at Travelodge in Sydney which is a budget hotel. Rooms have small fridge and microwave with plates, cups and silverware. Good enough for eating breakfast and preparing a packed lunch with groceries from the local Coles. But you'd need adjoining rooms for a family of 5.

If you really want to go budget, you might also look into hostels - many have family rooms and you will have access to kitchen facilities and laundry.

car

Ceidleh,
I am actually looking to the Quay West suites in the Rocks area and asked them for a quote for last week of July. They answer promptly and gave me the full rate.Somewhere on the high 590/600$ depending on the night in the week.
I also looked at wotif.com and realized that next days rentals are cheaper, of course with full payment and no refund.
So I was just wondering if holding a little bit until the dates i will be able to get a better rate, and also how "risky" it could be.
Following several reports I sort of like the Quay West, but at the same time as you said it seems there are good alternatives.
Rgds
Car

margo_oz

Probably not too much happening about that time.

I'd risk it. You may not be able to get Quay West cheaper (and it is a great location) - but there will surely be something almost as convenient, at a better price.

(I'll probably regret saying that!)

AmanteDelLimoncello

That date is after the NSW school holidays so that is plus.
Take a look at Oaks Goldsborough Apartments located at Darling harbour.

prue

Also just after the visit of the Pope which is another very large plus as far as enjoying Sydney is concerned.

Ceidleh

I'm surprised at what they quoted you since July is winter in Australia. We paid much less than what they quoted you and stayed there in March '07. But I will say there were just 3 of us (2 adults and 1 teen) in a 2 bedroom unit, not 5 - so it could be that they are charging you more for the additional people, or there is some sort of convention or other big event in the city that week.

You may get a lower rate if you ask for a city view room instead of Harbour view, but I don't see the point. If you don't care about the view, you are better off staying in another neighborhood as The Rocks is definitely more expensive.

Check reviews on www.TripAdvisor.com for suite hotels or apartments. You might find something better. Or maybe try www.VRBO.com to see if there are any apartments you can rent directly from an owner.