OZtralia.tv Blog

By: Phoenix Arrien

Anyone who has travelled to Australia and not been to Sydney will either be a hermit on a yacht or an illegal boat person. Ok not quite…but almost.

Sydney is ‘in your face’ and well worth staying a few days during your Australian travels (but no longer!). The largest city in Australia, it offers the best buzz and nightlife, worst crime and most middling food in the country. However accommodation is something this city does excel in (bar Melbourne). The accommodation choices in the heart of Sydney city are many and among the best are:

InterContinental Sydney (117 Macquarie St, Sydney)

Efficient hotel within a grand 19^th Century building. The lounge overlooks the harbour and the décor is a mix of historic mementos and new designer furniture. Dining is at formal and informal restaurant and cafes. There is a pool and sauna and across the road lies wonderful gardens and near the ferries.

Park Hyatt Sydney (7 Hickson Rd The Rocks, Sydney http://www.sydney.park.hyatt.com/)

Uniquely situated beneath the Harbour Bridge on Sydney Cove, this property offers great views of the iconic Sydney Opera House. Dining makes full use of the beautiful harbour views and there’s fun to be had in the sun at the rooftop pool. All rooms have balconies and there is plenty to see, while the staff provides unbeatable personal attention.

Shangri-La Hotel Sydney (76 Cumberland St The Rocks, Sydney  http://www.shangri-la.com/) In a prominent harbourside setting, with stunning panoramas of the harbor bridge, opera house and city skyline, this mustard-yellow 36-story highrise hotel is a Sydney landmark in its own right. Inside, it’s very sophisticated and chic, dining is stylish recreation centers on a health club, neoclassical pool and sauna. Plenty of room for playing boats in the large marble baths in the guest rooms, so pity about the water shortages.

The Sebel Pier One Sydney (11 Hickson Rd Walsh Bay, Sydney, http://www.mirvachotels.com.au/).  A great location near water, shopping, entertainment and historic areas there is a strong nautical feel to this hotel with the unusual rooms sporting plenty of nooks and crannies to explore. Dining is on a sunny terrace overlooking the water and there are parks nearby as well as a great waterfront.

Crowne Plaza (150 Day Street, Sydney, http://www.crowneplazadarlingharbour.com.au/) This no-frills, comfortable hotel is well-placed between the entertainment and leisure precinct of Darling Harbour and Sydney’s Central Business District. Eat at the restaurant, dip in the pool or skip off to the endless number of entertainments and attractions nearby.

We had the pleasure of staying in one of (what we think is) Sydney’s best hotel’s, the Sheraton on the Park.

Right next to Hyde Park, this hotel is very luxurious and relaxing. We came through here just on a whim really… We were on our way to film in Perth and found ourselves in Sydney  on lay over.

When we walked into the hotel, we knew it was a different place all together. The executive lounge though…that took the cake. The view of Sydney is amazing.

We say that seeing is believing. Check it out for yourself.