The variety of first-rate accommodation in Sydney is exactly what you’d expect of a big city, and the options are made even more intriguing by the amazing restaurants and bars that accompany them. All budgets can expect to find somewhere to stay that ticks all their boxes in Sydney, from the luxury marble lobbies to quirky converts and historical buildings.
If classic hotel accommodation is your thing, you’re better off narrowing your search down to specific suburbs or areas you’re looking to stay in. The vibe of each neighbourhood is also relevant to consider when choosing accommodation. Those interested in a laid-back beachside trip rather than the bustling heart of the CBD can look to the Northern Beaches for accommodation, with Manly the hotspot. The Eastern Beaches are more busy given their proximity to Bondi and Coogee Beaches, but staying here is a no-brainer for the surfer or ocean lover. Those interested in Sydney’s cultural centres, the best restaurants and bars, but wanting the CBD to remain accessible, should stay in the Inner East or West. We’d recommend the Inner West as its beginning is close to Central Station, a perfect centre to base from to conveniently travel around the city. You’ll find Chinatown in the Inner West, one of the largest Chinatowns in the world, and home to amazing authentic food.
Typically, the CBD is home to pricey luxury hotels or backpacking hostels with not a lot of other varieties. If you’re open to splashing out, harbour views are offered at several hotels, like the Pullman Quay Grand and the Park Hyatt. Staying in The Rocks or at Darling Harbour provides easy access to not only the harbour itself, but a wealth of culture, with museums, galleries and cultural tours at your doorstep.
Sydney is also home to a number of unique accommodation options if you’re over the typical hotel set up. Stay in a restored woolstore from 1888 near Darling Harbour, the oldest continually operating brewery pub in the nation at Lord Nelson, an elevated tent complete with furniture and kitchenette 15 minutes from the city centre at Lane Cove National Park, or the Wildlife Retreat at Taronga, where you’ll have after-hours access to the animals, both in visiting the zoo itself, and spotting them through your floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the zoo and Bradley’s Head.