Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
WHERE TO STAY
With Australia's recent emer-
self-catering apartments, homestay
accommodation and budget and
backpacker hostels for those
travelling on a budget. Information
on these alternatives is given
below. From a survey of various
types of accommodation in different
areas and varying price brackets,
we have selected those offering
good value for money. Detailed
descriptions of each hotel can
be found on pages 172-7. Inclu-
ded with each hotel review is a list of
symbols indicating the full range of
facilities on offer there.
gence as a major tourist
destination, the urgent need
for more high-quality and good-
value accommodation became
apparent. Previously, most Sydney
hotels and guesthouses had been
regarded as expensive and of varying
standard. There has since been an
enormous improvement in both
quality and value, and there are
excellent choices for visitors
ranging from five-star luxury to the
homeliness of a small, unpretentious
hotel. In addition to hotels, Sydney has
Sydney hotel
doorman
the city centre. Paddington has
smaller hotels and self-catering
apartments, while to the east
are the up-market hotels of
Double Bay. On the other side
of Sydney Harbour Bridge, the
leafy North Shore provides a
more relaxed look at Sydney,
and you can travel to and from
the city centre by ferry.
The popular beachside sub-
urbs of Bondi and Manly are
a little way out of the centre of
Sydney, but some visitors may
like the opportunity to be close
to superb beaches and yet still
be reasonably near to the city.
You should also remember
that in Australia a hotel can be
a pub or a place to drink
(see
pp196-7)
. Pubs do not always
provide accommodation.
Festival in February and Mardi
Gras Parade in early March, the
Easter holidays and July and
September school holidays.
Bookings can be made by
letter, phone, fax, e-mail or
through your local inter-
national travel agent. A credit
card number or bank cheque
in Australian dollars is usually
required to secure your
booking. Check cancellation
requirements and reconfirm
before you arrive in Sydney.
The
Sydney Visitors Centre
books certain hotels and will
send a brochure pack.
Australian Accommodation
Services
does not charge for
bookings. If you belong to a
motoring association, ask
your travel agent to check
which NRMA-(National Roads
and Motorists' Association-)
affiliated hotels offer a dis-
count.
Countrylink
agencies at
major railway stations offer a
comprehensive service and
AFTA travel agencies will
book most hotels. Some travel
New façade of the refurbished
Hilton Sydney Hotel
(see p174)
WHERE TO LOOK
Most of the expensive hotels
are in or near the city centre,
but it is possible to find
accommodation within most
price ranges throughout
Sydney. The city centre has
the advantage of having many
of the larger theatres, galleries
and shops at hand, as well as
easy transport access to more
distant sights and attractions.
Cheaper accommodation can
be found in the vibrant Kings
Cross district. Choices here
range from backpacker hostels
to the small “boutique” hotels
where the emphasis is on
quality and personal service.
In The Rocks area, with its
beautifully restored colonial
buildings, you can choose
from bed and breakfast in a
traditional Sydney pub or the
opulence of a five-star luxury
hotel with good views of the
Sydney Opera House.
The hotels around Darling
Harbour and Chinatown offer
good value for shoppers and
are also within easy reach of
HOW TO BOOK
It is advisable to book well in
advance, especially for the
Christmas school holidays in
December and January, the
Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras
One of the elegant guestrooms at the Swissôtel
(see p174)
