Where to stay in Sydney?
Sydney Accommodation – Where are the best places to stay in Sydney?
Sydney offers a full range of accommodation from budget hostels and discount hotels to 5 star luxury with no expense spared. The Top 100 Things to do gives you the best places to stay in Sydney. You should get a pretty good idea of where to stay in Sydney if you read through this short page and then follow the most ‘sounds right’ link(s).
Accommodation in the City
Circular Quay
If you don’t have much time then the city is the best place to stay in Sydney as it is the easiest to get to and from. If you stay in accommodation in the City you will be close to all the wonderful things there are to see and do.
Harbour Views and City Attractions
If the best accommodation means a central location, offering access to the harbour views and city attractions, then there are a number of options you should consider.
The Nicest places to stay
Many of the hotels near Circular Quay offer top-notch service for someone who really appreciates quality. There are many rooms that provide a simultaneous view of the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge.
Accommodation that offers great Value
Some of the best places to stay are slightly further away from the Harbour. The further away you are the less pain to your credit or charge card and more funds for having fun. Anywhere vaguely close to Circular Quay would serve as an ideal base for a visit to the city, with excellent amenities and easy access to public transport and taxis.
Click this link for top things to do in the City.
Manly
Manly Ferry
Manly would be my personal choice of where to stay in Sydney as it gives you the perfect excuse to spend lots of time on the Manly Ferry. I’ve been on the ferry countless times and have yet to get bored with the views. The Manly Ferry is listed as the:
Top thing to do in Sydney
Hotels in Manly
Most of the best hotels in Manly are within walking distance of the beaches, and the area is teeming with guesthouses, backpacking hostels and many other types of accommodation.
The Harbour
In a similar fashion to Manly, look for accommodation by the harbour with a ferry wharf nearby. Examples such as Balmain, Mosman and Rose Bay are all good places to be based. Just make sure you memorise your ferry timetable or have a copy with you.
City Fringe
Accommodation located in the fringe of town is often a good way to save a few dollars, just remember to factor in the additional cost of transport, particularly if it’s likely to be taxis.
Surry Hills, Woolloomooloo, Darlinghurst, Pyrmont, Ultimo, Broadway, and Redfern
The City Fringe includes areas like Surry Hills, Woolloomooloo, Darlinghurst, Pyrmont, Ultimo, Broadway, and Redfern. Lots of student shares and low-cost options are available in these districts, though traditional hotels appear too. A walk into the city could take you anything from 25 to 45 minutes.
Eastern Suburbs
Bondi Beach
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Bondi Beach (ranked 15 on the top 100) is there to be seen but traffic in and out from the beach front can be a nightmare. Bondi Junction is a better option and it has a train link. It is the gateway to the eastern suburbs. Shopping and dining are major activities throughout the area and affordable accommodation is abundant.
Sydney Airport – Kingsford Smith
Situated in southern half of Sydney near Botany Bay, Sydney Airport is not the most convenient of locations, but it does have abundant transportation links. If you have a late or early flight, a hotel located near the airport can still be a viable option. Just check with the hotel’s staff on your travel options into the city.
The Northern Beaches
The Northern Beaches are referred to as God’s Country by the locals. Distance from the city might be an issue with if you choose to base your stay in Sydney in this particular slice of paradise. No trains could be another. The Northern Beaches is perhaps a second trip location. This area is, however, a great choice for a day trip or weekend with quite a few bed and breakfasts, hostels, guest houses and serviced apartments available throughout the region.
Pittwater Youth Hostel
Just getting to Pittwater Youth Hostel is fun. Although if you have a heavy backpack less so. Travel up to Church Point (ranked 19 in the top 100) in the Northern Beaches on the banks of ‘Pittwater’. Get the ferry across the water. Then it’s a 15 minute hike up a hill through Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park.
“Lovely hostel in an idyllic location, very friendly and helpful hosts” Catherine.
Visit yha.com.au for more details or phone (02) 9999 5748.
West Sydney
The Western Suburbs offer budget accommodation options but you are more likely to need a car. You will miss out a little bit on the Harbour but you can catch a ferry from Parramatta.
North Shore
The Lower North Shore (North Sydney to Mosman) is a great location but expect more commuting. The Upper North Shore is very pleasant, green and leafy but is some distance for the main attractions in the centre of town. The North Shore train line can be problematic and the Pacific Highway, which takes you into the city, is colourful in a red, amber and green kind of way.
Where to Stay in Sydney with Harbour Views, Family, Pet Friendly etc
There are a growing number of accommodation websites that charge the hotel, B&B, property owner etc. for their service. These are excellent resources for ensuring availability and for comparing rates and facilities. They also have great search engines that fine tune your search e.g. must have harbour views. Last Minute is good for a short-term stay in a hotel or motel. Stayz is better for a longer stay at a house or unit (flat). Follow the links below.
Last Minute
Stayz
Travel Tips
If you get a price off Last Minute or similar for a small motel or hotel it might be a good idea to contact before you book. There’s a chance they will undercut the price. A few owners I’ve spoken to are less than impressed with the service they receive e.g. it can be a hassle. They have to use these websites in order to attract new guests and would prefer to deal directly with their customers.
Check the important details
You can also check on the details e.g. you want harbour views from your room not the roof. Websites don’t always get it quite right (except this one of course 🙂 ).
Further North
There are some great places to stay even further north. For example, Brooklyn on the very edge of Sydney would a great base it you wish to explore some of Sydney’s surrounds. Click for a tiny bit more on Brooklyn and other potential destinations to stay north of Sydney just off of the Pacific Highway. This page also contains a video which commences with the Blue Mountains.
A bit nervous about Snakes?
Don’t be is the short answer. The closer you are to the bush the more likely it is you will see one but even then not very likely. If you’d like to know more just follow this link to the chances of being bitten by a snake, shark or spider.