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

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CHAPTER 3 . SYDNEY
Corner of Hall St. and Campbell Parade, Bondi Beach, NSW 2026. & 02/9365 4422. Fax 02/9365 1481.
www.ravesis.com.au. 16 units. A$120 (US$78) standard double; A$185–A$195 (US$120–$127) double with
side view; A$275 (US$179) beachfront room; A$245 (US$159) 1 bedroom suites; A$245–$275
(US$159–US$179) split-level suites with terrace; Penthouse $A450 (US$292). Extra person A$25 (US$16). 2
children under 12 stay free in parent’s room. AE, DC, MC, V. Parking at the Swiss-Grand Hotel nearby for A$8
(US$5.20) for 24 hr. CityRail: Bondi Junction; then Bus 380. Bus: 380 from Circular Quay. Amenities: Restaurant;
bar; tour desk; room service; laundry/dry cleaning service. In room: AC, TV, minibar, hair dryer, iron, safe.
SERVICED APARTMENTS
Bondi Serviced Apartments If you plan on staying a week or more in Sydney,
then these pleasant, privately-owned managed apartments could be ideal.
They’re on busy Bondi Road, a 25-minute walk to the beach, and right opposite
you’ll find a post office (with phones—the apartment complex doesn’t have any),
an Internet parlor, and a 24-hour supermarket. The rooms at the front of the hotel
suffer from traffic noise, but are larger than the quieter ones out back. That said,
all are good-size and have a nice feel about them. Each has a double bed (the front
rooms also have an extra single), and a full kitchen. There’s no air-conditioning
(though the sea breeze does tend to cool Bondi down a bit in summer). You must
book for a week or more, but if there are free rooms you can negotiate a 4-night
stay. The owner describes it as a “no frills” complex—hence once-weekly servicing
and the lack of phones, Internet address, fax number, and credit card payments.
164–166 Bondi Rd., Bondi Beach, NSW 2026. & 02/9363 5529. 12 apts. 12 units. A$385–A$550 (US$250–
US$357) apt per week. Ask about cheaper rates for longer stays. No credit cards. Free parking. Bus 380 or
382 from city center and Bondi Junction. Amenities: Laundry; weekly servicing. In room: TV, kitchen,
iron/ironing board.
IN MANLY
If you decide to stay at my favorite beachside suburb, then you’ll need to be
aware that ferries from the city stop running at midnight. If you get stranded,
you’ll be facing either an expensive taxi fare (around A$35/US$23), or you’ll
need to make your way to the bus stand behind Wynyard CityRail station to
catch a night bus. Consider buying a Ferry Ten or JetCat Ten ticket, which will
save you quite a bit of money in commuting expenses if you’re staying in Manly
for a few days.
As well as the recommendations below, Manly has several backpacker places
worth checking out. The best is Manly Backpackers Beachside, 28 Ragland St.
(& 02/9977 3411; fax 02/9977 4379; www.manlybackpackers.com.au), which
offers dorm beds for A$24 (US$16), doubles without bathroom for A$70
(US$46), and doubles with bathroom for A$80 (US$52). There’s a A$30
(US$20) key deposit.
VERY EXPENSIVE
Manly Lodge Kids At first sight this ramshackle building halfway between
the main beach and the harbor doesn’t look like much—especially the cramped
hostel-like foyer bristling with tourist brochures. But don’t let these tacky features
put you off. Some of the rooms are lovely, and the whole place has a nice atmosphere
about it and plenty of character. Double rooms are not exceptional and
come with a double bed, stone or carpet floors, a TV and VCR, and either a spa
or a tub/shower combination. Some of the standard doubles, and all of the deluxe
doubles, have a kitchen. Family rooms have a set of bunk beds and a double in one
room, and a shower. Family suites are very classy; each has a small kitchen area,
one double and three singles in the bedroom, and two sofa beds in the living area.
The lodge also has a table tennis table, and even an Olympic-size trampoline.