If I were to pick a single hotel in Sydney as a favourite (taking cost into account) the Grace Hotel would be it.
It has a prime city centre location, a couple of hundred metres walk from Town Hall and Pitt Street Mall and about 10-15 minutes from Circular Quay, Darling Harbour and Chinatown. You can’t get more central than this.
The rooms are modern and of generous proportions as are the comfortable beds. The rooms are clean, quiet and well equipped, amenities wise, and while the hotel is popular it never appears crowded – I have never had to wait more than a few minutes at either check-in or check-out.
For those so inclined, the hotel has a rooftop fitness centre with a small indoor swimming pool and a sauna.
The one thing you do have to watch for with the Grace is price. At times it is quite expensive (though what hotel in Sydney isn’t) and better value may be available elsewhere. Compare prices before you stay. The Grace often offers good specials. Typically you can get a much better rate for this hotel by booking via the hotel’s website than you can on other websites. It’s never cheap but good value for a quality hotel if you can pay that bit extra.
Also, if you are looking for a room with a harbour view or indeed any view other than neighbouring buildings then the Grace is not for you. This is the compromise for the central location of the hotel.
I have never eaten here so can’t comment on the food though I can recommend the Irish bar – P.J. O’Briens, a separate business though located just off the hotel’s lobby. For eats, I thoroughly recommend the Vapiano, an Italian restaurant also in the Hotel building.
Staff are friendly, extremely helpful and unobtrusive.
For me one of the nicest things about this hotel is the building itself – a 1920’s Neo-Gothic building with a delightful art deco interior (public areas). These of course can be enjoyed even if you don’t stay at the hotel so do drop by for a look if you are staying elsewhere.
Address: 77 York St, Sydney, New South Wales, 2000, Australia
Directions: Easy walk from Town Hall or Wynyard Station if you come into the city by train.
Phone: 61 2-92726888
Website: http://www.gracehotel.com.au
For my next Sydney – City – TOWNHALL review click HERE.
For other Sydney reviews click HERE.
The Rambling Wombat 