Frommer's Australia from $50 a Day 13th Edition - To Parent Directory

110
CHAPTER 3 . SYDNEY
painted corridors. Every room is different in style, size, and shape; all come with
a queen-size bed and most have cable TV. (Others can have a TV moved in if
requested.) All rooms have immense character, including a series of rooms added
on in 1990 above the Fortune of War Hotel next door. There are no harbor views,
but from some rooms you can see the tops of the ferry terminals at Circular Quay.
Guests have the use of a comfortable sitting room, a living room with magazines
and books, and a rooftop garden. The apartment is large and open, with a kingsize
bed, a small kitchen suitable for three people, and a double sofa bed. It overlooks
Circular Quay. The place was refurbished in 2000 and 2001.
143A George St., The Rocks, Sydney, NSW 2000. & 02/9241 3543. Fax 02/9252 1652. www.therussell.
com.au. 29 units, 19 with bathroom. A$140–A$195 (US$91–$127) double without bathroom; A$235–A$290
(US$153–US$188) double with bathroom (the most expensive overlook Circular Quay); A$320 (US$208) suite
and apartment. Extra person A$15 (US$9.75). Rates include continental breakfast. AE, DC, MC, V. Parking not
available. CityRail or ferry: Circular Quay. Amenities: Restaurant; lounge. In room: TV, coffeemaker, iron.
CITY CENTER
Park Regis Sydney This hotel occupies the top 15 floors of a 45-story building
and is well placed in the central business district, just 2 blocks from Hyde
Park and Town Hall. There’s nothing spectacular about the place, but the rooms
are light, modern, and equally practical. The bathrooms have a shower and no
tub. Many of the guests are business travelers, which gives the hotel a corporate
feel. Nevertheless, it’s a relatively good value considering the location. Rooms at
the front have views over the city and park.
27 Park St. (at Castlereagh St.), Sydney, NSW 2000. & 02/9267 6511, or 1800/221 138 in Australia. Fax 02/
9264 2252. www.parkregissydney.com.au. 120 units. A$165 (US$107) double; A$198 (US$129) suite. Extra
person A$22 (US$14). Children under 14 stay free in parent’s room. Ask about lower rates available through
Aussie auto clubs. AE, DC, MC, V. Free parking. CityRail: Town Hall. Monorail: Park Plaza. Amenities: Small
outdoor pool; concierge; tour desk; 24-hr. room service; babysitting; laundry service/dry cleaning; nonsmoking
rooms. In room: A/C, TV, fridge, coffeemaker, hair dryer.
Sydney Central YHA Value This multi-award-winning hostel is one of the
biggest and busiest in the world. And it’s just 1 of 140 YHA hostels in Australia
(for the full list check the website below). With a 98% year-round occupancy rate,
you’ll have to book early. It’s in a historic nine-story building that offers far more
than standard basic accommodation. In the basement is the Scu Bar, a popular
drinking hole with pool tables and occasional entertainment. There’s also an entertainment
room with more pool tables and e-mail facilities, TV rooms on every
floor, and an audio-visual room showing movies. Try the heated swimming pool
and the sauna. Rooms are clean and basic. The YHA is accessible to travelers with
disabilities. Check the website for other hotels in Sydney—including the Glebe
Point YHA, the Sydney Beachhouse YHA in the beachside suburb of Collaroy,
and Pittwater YHA in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park (only accessible by boat
and a fabulous way to experience the “bush” around Sydney).
11 Rawson Place, Sydney, NSW 2000. & 02/9281 9111. Fax 02/9281 9199. www.yha.com.au. 151 units, or
532 beds (54 twin rooms). A$25–A$31 (US$16–US$20) dorm bed; A$78 (US$50) twin without bathroom;
A$88 (US$57) twin with bathroom. Non-YHA members A$3 (US$1.95) extra. MC, V. Parking A$10 (US$6.50)
on the corner of Pitt St., outside Central Station. CityRail: Central. Amenities: Restaurant; bar; pool; sauna;
2 kitchens; TV room.
Travelodge, Wentworth Avenue This business-oriented hotel is cheap
for Sydney, and comfortable and well located—making it a good option for the
average traveler. The clean, brown-colored rooms are motel-like in appearance,
with a queen-size bed. Many come with a sofa. From here it’s a short walk to
Oxford Street, Town Hall, Hyde Park, and the monorail to Darling Harbour.