Sydney - Australia 2004 - page 109

18 stay free in parent's room. Ask about lower weekend rates and packages. AE, DC, MC, V. Parking A$22
(US$14). CityRail, bus, or ferry: Circular Quay. Amenities: 2 restaurants; bar/lounge; heated outdoor pool;
health club/spa; concierge; business center; 24-hr. room service; babysitting; laundry service. In room: A/C, TV,
dataport, minibar, coffeemaker, hair dryer, iron, safe.
Quay Grand Suites Sydney The best serviced-apartment complexes,
like this one, can outdo superior AAA-rated five-star hotels—even in price. This
building, on the pedestrian concourse leading up to the Sydney Opera House,
also houses private apartments costing upward of A$750,000 (US$487,500)—
so you know you are in exclusive territory. The apartments here are spacious and
ultramodern, and either face onto the Botanic Gardens or have fantastic views
looking across the ferry terminals and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Rooms are
fully self-contained and come with a balcony to admire the views. The noises
from the CityRail train station, including the train announcements as well as the
ferry hooters, are captivating but can easily be shut out. Bathrooms are large and
feature a good-size Jacuzzi. You might want to eat at the hotel's Quadrant
restaurant, which serves up Modern Australian food; otherwise, there are two
separate and excellent eateries— Aqua Luna and Aria —on the promenade
down below. The Dendy cinema, in the same strip, has good art-house movies.
61 Macquarie St., E. Circular Quay, Sydney, NSW 2000. & 1800/091 954 in Australia, or 02/9256 4000. Fax
02/9256 4040. www.mirvachotels.com.au. A$335-A$507 (US$218-US$330) 1-bedroom apt, depending on
view. Extra person A$35 (US$23). Ask about weekend packages and rates for long-term stays. AE, DC, MC, V.
Valet Parking A$20 (US$13). CityRail, bus, or ferry: Circular Quay. Amenities: Restaurant; bar (the trendy
ECQ); small health club; concierge; 24-hr. room service; massage; babysitting; laundry service; dry cleaning;
nonsmoking rooms. In room: A/C, TV w/pay movies, dataport, kitchen, minibar, coffeemaker, hair dryer, iron,
washing machine, dryer.
Shangri-la Hotel Sydney For a room with a view, you're not going to
do better than this ultramodern landmark hotel a 5-minute walk from Circular
Quay. All rooms look out onto Darling Harbour or across the Opera House and
Harbour Bridge. Try to book a room on the 20th floor or above: From here Syd-
ney is laid out at your feet, with the ferries buzzing around below you like bath-
tub toys. If you really want to splurge, book a corner room for an extraordinary
vista. Rooms are comfortably furnished and decorated to blend with sky, city,
and sea. The hotel is popular with tour groups, particularly from Japan, hence
the great Japanese restaurants here.
176 Cumberland St., The Rocks, Sydney, NSW 2000. & 1800/801 088 in Australia, or 02/9250 6000. Fax
02/9250 6250. www.shangri-la.com. 563 units. A$450-A$500 (US$292-US$325) double depending on view;
A$750 (US$487) corner rooms with views; A$550-A$4,900 (US$357-US$3,185) suites. Extra person A$60
(US$39). Children stay free in parent's room. Ask about packages. AE, DC, MC, V. Parking A$21 (US$14).
CityRail or ferry: Circular Quay. Amenities: 2 restaurants; lounge; 2 bars; heated indoor pool; Jacuzzi; sauna;
exercise room; concierge; business center; salon; 24-hr. room service; babysitting; laundry service; currency
exchange; early-arrivals/late-departures lounge. In room:A/C, TV w/pay movies, dataport, minibar, hair dryer,
iron, safe.
Sir Stamford at Circular Quay Talk about plush! This is Sydney's
most deluxe hotel—from the moment the doorman doffs his top hat to you, you
enter the world of aristocracy, complete with the slight scent of cigar smoke and
aged brandy in the air. This hotel, formally the Ritz Carlton, has a prime loca-
tion, just a short walk from Circular Quay and the Opera House, and just across
the road from the Royal Botanic Gardens. Rooms are exceptionally large and
luxurious with good-size marble bathrooms. Most rooms have a small balcony.
The rooms on the east side of the hotel have the best views across the Botanic
Gardens. Most rooms are accessible to wheelchairs.