World City Guide

Hotels

The central Sydney area has a 10% accommodation levy, commonly known as the bed tax. This is added to the bill. Most hostel-type accommodation is exempt from this tax.

The prices quoted below are the lowest standard rates for a double room, including tax and excluding breakfast, unless otherwise specified.

Business

The Blacket
Workaholic money-movers can go one better than simply staying in Sydney’s financial district: now they can bed down in a former bank. The Blacket, which opened in June 2001, occupies part of the original Scottish Australia Bank building, designed in 1854 by Edmund Blacket. Retaining the original marblework, it’s a stylish boutique hotel in the heart of Sydney’s corporate, retail and entertainment precinct, boasting secretarial services and computer access as well as cable television, stereo, modem and STD/IDD lines in every room. The open-air Skyroom Terrace, with impressive city views, is available for functions.

70 King Street
Tel: (02) 9279 3030. Fax: (02) 9279 3020.
E-mail: theblacket@theblacket.com
Website: www.theblacket.com
Price: From A$210.

Hotel InterContinental
This deluxe five-star hotel is housed within the restored Treasury Building – a heritage landmark in the heart of Sydney's business and government area, close to Circular Quay. Many of the rooms have harbour views; some have panoramic view of the harbour, Royal Botanic Gardens and the Opera House. Lavish executive suites offer a separate study and lounge room, while all rooms are equipped with cable TV, dual telephone line, voicemail and daily newspaper. An outstanding feature of the InterContinental is its private dining rooms, ideal for high-level lunch meetings or special occasions. The business centre boasts two video conferencing studios along with every other conceivable amenity. Renovations in 2003 added new guest rooms (they now total 509) and a rooftop Club Lounge with panoramic harbour views.

117 Macquarie Street
Tel: (02) 9253 9000. Fax: (02) 9240 1204.
E-mail: sydney@interconti.com
Website: www.intercontinental.com
Price: From A$280.

Sofitel Wentworth Sydney
A vast 1960s semicircle of concrete, the Sofitel Wentworth was one of Sydney’s first modern prestige hotels and is heritage listed for its space-age design. Located in the heart of the CBD, close to key attractions such as the Opera House and The Rocks, the hotel specialises in conventions: up to 1100 people can be catered for in the function and meeting rooms, and an in-house audiovisual department offers state-of-the-art equipment including satellite teleconferencing. The lounge bar/restaurant offers morning tea and all-day brasserie dining.

61-101 Phillip Street
Tel: (02) 9230 0700. Fax: (02) 9228 9133.
E-mail: H3665@accor-hotels.com.au
Website: www.sofitel.com
Price: From A$245 (including breakfast).

The Westin
The Westin’s location in the financial epicentre of Sydney makes it a logical choice for business travellers, as do its superior in-room facilities, such as three telephone lines and Internet connection. The hotel’s ‘Heritage’ rooms have been carved from the 1887 GPO building, offering a charming combination of old and brand new, while the ‘Tower’ rooms feature glass-walled bathrooms and unobstructed city views. ‘Guest Office’ rooms are fitted with printer/fax/copiers, speakerphone and an ergonomic chair. The business and conference centre has seven meeting rooms. Incorporating a massive atrium area filled with prestige shops and first-class eating places, this hotel complex blurs the line between business and pleasure.

1 Martin Place
Tel: (02) 8223 1111. Fax: (02) 8223 1222.
E-mail: westin.sydney@westin.com
Website: www.westin.com.au
Price: From A$295.

Luxury

Shangri-La
Many Sydney hotels have views. The Shangri-La puts them all to shame. Where else is it possible to glance down at both the Opera House and Harbour Bridge from a guest room’s sofa, or to lord it over Darling Harbour from the comfort of the bathtub? Rooms are in an Asian-European style and each one boasts a harbour view. The seven restaurants include Japanese Restaurant on 36 and the Rocks Teppanyaki. Those astonishing views can be drunk in (along with a range of excellent cocktails) at the acclaimed Blue Horizons Bar.

176 Cumberland Street, The Rocks
Tel: (02) 9250 6000. Fax: (02) 9250 6250.
E-mail: slsn@shangri-la.com
Website: www.shangri-la.com
Price: From A$355 (including breakfast).

Sir Stamford at Circular Quay
Formerly the Ritz-Carlton, the Sir Stamford has retained a style of traditional European luxury, replete with grand chandeliers, oil paintings, antique furniture and fine bone china. Dining areas and guest rooms are cosy and elegant, bathrooms feature marble double basins and Bulgari toiletries, and personal service is exceptional. The private lounge club is ideal for informal business meetings, with secretarial and IT staff on call for any special requirements. And it is just a short stroll to the Opera House. This hotel was voted number one hotel in Australia by Condé Nast Traveller, 2001.

93 Macquarie Street
Tel: (02) 9252 4600. Fax: (02) 9252 4286.
E-mail: sales@sscq.stamford.com.au
Website: www.stamford.com.au
Price: From A$225.

Moderate

The Crest Hotel
The Crest Hotel is located in the lively nightlife nexus of Kings Cross and Darlinghurst, with Kings Cross train station located just underneath the building. Most rooms have panoramic views of the city or Rushcutters Bay and all have mini-bar, TV and safe; all rooms are en suite. The Ginseng Bathhouse on Level 1 is an authentic Korean bathhouse offering specialist saunas, massage and skin treatments and it attracts stressed-out execs from all over town. Guests can enjoy the facilities for half price.

111 Darlinghurst Road, Kings Cross
Tel: (02) 9358 2755 or (1800) 221 805 (Australia only). Fax: (02) 9358 2888.
E-mail: reservations@thecresthotel.com.au
Website: www.cresthotel.com.au
Price: From A$180.

Travelodge Martin Place
This no-nonsense hotel in the financial district offers the familiar Travelodge amenities for the budget-minded traveller. Rooms are workmanlike and feature a kitchenette with microwave and cable television. There are also five disabled access rooms. All rooms are en suite. The building houses the NSW Leagues’ Club (guests gain automatic membership) whose four bar areas fill up with after-work revellers. The Quay is a five-minute walk away and Martin Place is just around the corner, although visitors should not expect any views apart from the central atrium’s rather unconvincing trompe l’oeil mural.

165 Phillip Street
Tel: (02) 8224 9400. Fax: (02) 8224 9500.
E-mail: reservations@travelodge.com.au
Website: www.travelodge.com.au
Price: From A$130.

Other Recommendations

The Kirketon
Named ‘Best Boutique Hotel in Australia’ at the 2003 Hotel and Management Awards, The Kirketon is a byword for stainless steel, mirrors and conspicuous cool. Being a fashion model is not a prerequisite of staying here but it helps. Rooms are comfortable nonetheless, with superior linen, down pillows and mohair throw rugs. There are 40 guest rooms, as well as small function rooms, the acclaimed Salt (see Restaurants) and the red, womb-like cigar bar, Fix.

229 Darlinghurst Road, Darlinghurst
Tel: (02) 9332 2011. Fax: (02) 9332 2499.
E-mail: info@kirketon.com.au
Website: www.kirketon.com.au
Price: From A$139.

W Sydney
Arguably the most boldly conceived of the newer hotels in town, W Sydney occupies the renovated interior of an old loading wharf, jutting out into the harbour at Woolloomooloo Bay. Retaining the original exterior and many of the interior beams, the refit is an ingenious exercise in industrial chic, which sees a vast central atrium occupied by a bar, restaurant and massive, obsolete conveyor belts – once used for loading bales of wool. Rooms feature sophisticated modern styling alongside photography depicting early 20th-century Sydney, while business travellers are well catered for with oversize work desks, ISDN lines and two telephones. The 24-hour business centre has computers, printers, photocopier and audiovisual equipment for presentations. A number of leading Sydney restaurants, including Otto, are part of the complex.

6 Cowper Wharf Road, Woolloomooloo
Tel: (02) 9331 9000. Fax: (02) 9331 9031.
E-mail: wsydney.reservations@whotels.com
Website: www.whotels.com
Price: From A$335.