Sydney - Australia 2004 - page 119

busy Bondi Road, a 25-minute walk to the beach, and opposite from 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 in the 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 the lack of phones, Internet address,
fax number, credit card payments, and once-weekly servicing.
164-166 Bondi Rd., Bondi Beach, NSW 2026. & 02/9363 5529. No fax. 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: Coin-op laundry; weekly cleaning service. In room:TV,
kitchen, iron and ironing board.
IN MANLY
If you decide to stay at my favorite beachside suburb, you'll need to be aware that
ferries from the city stop running at midnight. If you get stranded, you'll be fac-
ing 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 [phone]), which offers dorm beds for A$24
(US$16), doubles without bathroom for A$70 (US$46), and doubles with bath-
room for A$80 (US$52). The hostel charges a A$30 (US$20) key deposit.
VERY EXPENSIVE
Manly Pacific Parkroyal If you could bottle the views from this top-
class hotel—across the sand and through the Norfolk Island Pines to the Pacific
Ocean—you'd make a fortune. Standing on your private balcony in the evening
with the sea breeze in your nostrils and the chirping of hundreds of lorikeets is
nothing short of heaven. The Manly Pacific is the only hotel of its class in this
wonderful beachside suburb. There's nothing claustrophobic here, from the
broad expanse of glittering foyer to the wide corridors and spacious rooms. Each
standard room is light and modern with two double beds, a balcony, limited
cable TV, and all the necessities from bathrobes to an iron and ironing board.
Views over the ocean are really worth the extra money. The hotel is a 10-minute
stroll, or a A$4 (US$2.60) taxi ride, from the Manly ferry.
55 North Steyne, Manly, NSW 2095. & 02/9977 7666, or 800/835-7742 in the U.S. and Canada. Fax 02/
9977 7822. www.sixcontinentshotels.com/sixcontinentshotels. 169 units. A$283-A$327 (US$184-US$212)
double, depending on view; A$512 (US$333) suite. Extra person A$32 (US$21). AE, DC, MC, V. Parking A$10
(US$6.50). Ferry or JetCat: Manly. Amenities: 2 restaurants; 2 bars; heated rooftop pool; Jacuzzi; exercise
room; sauna; concierge; tour desk; 24-hr. room service; laundry service. In room:A/C, TV, dataport, minibar,
coffeemaker, hair dryer, iron.
MODERATE
Manly Lodge 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 the tattiness put you
off. Some of the rooms are lovely, and the whole place has a nice atmosphere and
plenty of character. Double rooms are not exceptional and come with a double

Kids