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Hotels The central Sydney area has a 10% accommodation levy, commonly known as the bed tax. This has been included in the prices quoted below and will be added to the bill, although most hostel-type accommodation is exempt. The prices quoted below are the starting prices for double rooms, excluding breakfast, unless otherwise specified. Business Hotel Inter-Continental This deluxe five-star hotel is housed within the restored Treasury Building, a heritage landmark. Many of the 503 rooms have harbour views – some have panoramic view of the harbour, Royal Botanic Gardens and the Opera House. Lavish executive suites offer 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 Inter-continental 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. 117 Macquarie Street Tel: (02) 9253 9000. Fax: (02) 9240 1240. E-mail: sydney@interconti.com Website: www.intercontinental.com Price: A$300 (deluxe guestroom, mid-week). W Arguably the most boldly conceived new hotel in Sydney, W 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. Business travellers are well catered for – the rooms include oversize work desks, ISDN lines and two telephones, while the 24-hour business centre has computers, printers, photocopier and audiovisual equipment for presentations. 6 Cowper Wharf Road, Woolloomooloo Tel: (02) 9331 9000. Fax: (02) 9331 9031. E-mail: wsydney@whotels.com Website: www.whotels.com Price: A$300 (Wharf room, mid-week). The Wentworth A vast 1960s semicircle of concrete, The Wentworth was one of Sydney’s first modern prestige hotels and is heritage listed for its space-age design. A recent multimillion-Dollar refurbishment has revitalised its facilities but retained the interior’s dark wooden elegance. The building’s crescent shape encircles the Level 5 Garden Court, a popular dining and bar area. Conventions are a speciality – 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. 61-101 Phillip Street Tel: (02) 9230 0700. Fax: (02) 9228 9133. E-mail: reservations_wentworth@rydges.com Website: www.rydges.com Price: A$215 (mid-week, 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 old 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 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 (including breakfast). Luxury ANA Harbour Grand Many Sydney hotels have views. The five-star deluxe ANA puts them all to shame. Where else is it possible for one 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? Japanese tourists come in their droves to this Japanese-owned place and its traditional dining facilities – including sushi bar, teppanyaki restaurant and tatami room – are among the best in the country. Rooms are in an Asian-European style and every one boasts a harbour view. The aptly named Horizons Bar was named best Sydney cocktail bar by the Daily Telegraph in 2001. 176 Cumberland Street, The Rocks Tel: (02) 9250 6000. Fax: (02) 9250 6250. E-mail: reservations@anahotel.com.au Website: www.anahotel.com.au Price: A$350 (Deluxe Harbour View room, 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. Recent guests include Cher and The Rolling Stones. And it’s 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: reservations@sscq.stamford.com.au Website: www.stamford.com.au Price: From A$304 (mid-week, including breakfast). Moderate The Crest Hotel Located in the lively nightlife nexus of Kings Cross and Darlinghurst – Kings Cross train station is located just underneath the hotel – The Crest Hotel offers a quality Sydney stay that is extremely good value. Most rooms have panoramic views of the city or Rushcutters Bay and all have mini-bar, TV and safe. 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. Fax: (02) 9358 2888. E-mail: reservations@thecresthotel.com.au Website: www.cresthotel.com.au Price: A$110 (including breakfast). Travelodge Phillip Street This no-nonsense hotel in the CBD offers the familiar Travelodge amenities for the budget-minded traveller. Rooms are workmanlike and feature kitchenette with microwave and cable television – there are also five disabled access rooms. 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 scary trompe l’oeil mural. 165 Phillip Street Tel: (02) 8224 9400. Fax: (02) 8224 9500. E-mail: hotel@phillipstreet.travelodge.com.au Website: www.travelodge.com.au Price: A$125 (single or twin). Other Recommendations The Kirketon Oh so cool, The Kirketon is one of two boutique hotels in Darlinghurst Road, under the same ownership – the other, Medusa, offers a Baroque variation on the minimalist theme. An overused location for magazine shoots, the Kirketon is a by-word for stainless steel, mirrors and style over sincerity. Being a fashion model is not a prerequisite of staying here but it helps. There are 40 guest rooms, as well as small function rooms, the acclaimed Salt (see Restaurants) and the red, womblike 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$220. Star City It’s big and gaudy – Las Vegas-style. Star City, a 24-hour pageant of dedicated gamblers and suave croupiers, is a universe unto itself. This is Australia-as-theme-park – the elaborate and off-putting interior design uses bush and native motifs – but the hotel rooms are big and friendly with city views and Internet access and the Sydney Convention Centre is a short walk away. Like any good Vegas casino, there’s an all-you-can-eat buffet and theatres offering big, flashy stage shows. For tourists seeking an action-packed Sydney stay, Star City is a safe bet. 80 Pyrmont Street, Pyrmont Tel: (02) 9657 8393. Fax: (02) 9657 8345. E-mail: reservations@starcity.com.au Website: www.starcity.com.au Price: A$285 (city view midweek including breakfast and A$10 gaming voucher). |
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