Sydney - Australia 2004 - page 116

(US$108) deluxe double with sun deck; A$250 (US$163) honeymoon suite with balcony. Extra person A$20
(US$13). Rates include buffet breakfast. AE, DC, MC, V. Free parking in secured lot. CityRail: Kings Cross.
Amenities: Guest lounge. In room:A/C, TV.
OXFORD STREET/DARLINGHURST
MODERATE
The Hughenden This boutique hotel in a restored 1870 Victorian
mansion is a real find and is situated in Woollahra's tree-lined antiques district
(just opposite the entrance to Centennial Park). Pleasant and reassuring, it's a bit
like visiting your grandparents and comes complete with warmly romantic
rooms, opulent iron beds, blue-on-white linen, and antique furniture. The own-
ers, two artist sisters, have lent their personal touch to the place. Check out their
paintings, book readings, and high teas incorporating classical recitals on Sun-
days. Breakfasts are served in their leafy conservatory.
14 Queen St., Woollahra, NSW 2025. & 02/9363 4863. Fax [phone]. [e-mail].
33 units. A$174 (US$113) double; A$204 (US$132) deluxe room. Rates include English breakfast. AE, MC, V.
Free parking. Bus: 380, 382, or 387. Amenities: Restaurant; piano bar. In room: A/C, TV.
Sullivans Hotel About half of this boutique hotel's guests come from over-
seas, mainly from the United Kingdom, Europe, and the United States. There's
also a small corporate following. Sullivans is right in the heart of the action in
one of Sydney's most popular shopping, entertainment, restaurant, and gay pub
and club areas. The hotel is particularly popular with Americans during the Gay
and Lesbian Mardi Gras, held during the month of February. All rooms are sim-
ple and compact, but good for a few nights. They come with an attached shower.
Standard rooms have two single beds, and the garden rooms have a queen-size
bed and pleasant garden views.
21 Oxford St., Paddington, NSW 2021. & 02/9361 0211. Fax [phone]. www.sullivans.com.au.
64 units. A$122 (US$79) standard double; A$144 (US$94) garden room double and triple; A$195 (US$127)
family room. AE, DC, MC, V. Limited free parking. Bus: 378 from Central Station or 380 from Circular Quay.
Amenities: Breakfast cafe; small heated outdoor pool; free bike rental, coin-op laundry; garden courtyard
area; free Internet. In room:A/C, TV w/free movies, fridge, hair dryer, iron, safe (garden rooms only).
Wattle Private Hotel This attractive Edwardian-style house built between
1900 and 1910 offers homey accommodations in the increasingly fashionable
inner-city suburb of Darlinghurst, known for its great cafes, nightlife, and
restaurants. Rooms are found on four stories, but there's no elevator, so if you
don't fancy too many stairs try to get a room on the lower floor. Rooms are
smallish but are opened up by large windows. Twin rooms have a better bath-
room, with a tub. The decor is a jumble of Chinese vases, ceiling fans, and con-
temporary bedspreads. The owners are very friendly.
108 Oxford St. (at corner of Palmer St.), Darlinghurst, NSW 2010. & 02/9332 4118. Fax [phone].
[e-mail]. 12 units. A$99 (US$64) double. Extra person A$11 (US$7.15). Rates include con-
tinental breakfast. MC, V. No parking. Bus: Any to Taylor Square from Circular Quay. Amenities: Coin-op laun-
dry. In room:A/C, TV, minibar.
IN NEWTOWN
Billabong Gardens For that real inner-city feel, you can't beat Newtown
with its busy street happenings, cheap restaurants, and grunge look. It's also eas-
ily accessed by buses and the Newtown CityRail station. Billabong Gardens is
just off the main drag, King Street, and is classed with a five-star backpackers
rating by the National Roads and Motorists' Association. While there are dor-
mitory accommodations here, you might also consider the double or twin
rooms, which offer pretty good value. The more expensive rooms have their own

Finds