Accommodation in Sydney, Australia

[bluestarfish]

Given the wealth of knowledge from our well-travelled friends on Cruise Critic, I would like to ask if anyone has a recommendation for a nice but reasonable hotel in Sydney. We are looking at the Rendezvous Stafford Hotel in The Rocks and most of the reviews are favourable, although not all, but you will never please everyone. Has anyone had any experience with this hotel? We will be in Sydney for four nights next March.

 

Any help would be much appreciated.

[Globaliser]

Given the wealth of knowledge from our well-travelled friends on Cruise Critic, I would like to ask if anyone has a recommendation for a nice but reasonable hotel in Sydney.

Many CC members (including myself) have such recommendations. They're contained in many previous threads on the subject, which can all be easily found by using the search function.

[amethyst365]

hi,

It depends where you want to stay - but I have stayed at the meriton parramatta many times and it has been great. not in the city - but very nice apartments.

[bluestarfish]

amethyst354 - Thanks for your help!

 

Globaliser - I have been searching the previous threads but have not found anything about the Rendezvous Stafford in Sydney. I was hoping that one of the CC group might have stayed there and I would have appreciated their comments. There are so many hotels in Sydney and I was just trying to narrow it down. Sorry I don't have your obvious expertise in using this forum. I am relatively new to Cruise Critic but have found most people to be extremely helpful and willing to share their experiences. Appreciate your suggestion and will keep searching.

[Country_Gal]

I have it booked for 3 days in November so I will let you know when I get back.:rolleyes:

[bluestarfish]

Thanks, Country Gal! I will really look forward to that review and have yourself a great trip!

[Globaliser]

I have been searching the previous threads but have not found anything about the Rendezvous Stafford in Sydney. I was hoping that one of the CC group might have stayed there and I would have appreciated their comments.

Unfortunately, the same question remained unanswered in January. And although someone said in March that they were going to be staying there, that's not until November this year.

 

However, there is lots of accumulated wisdom here about many other Sydney hotels.

[wotaripper]

amethyst354 - Thanks for your help!

 

Globaliser - I have been searching the previous threads but have not found anything about the Rendezvous Stafford in Sydney. I was hoping that one of the CC group might have stayed there and I would have appreciated their comments. There are so many hotels in Sydney and I was just trying to narrow it down. Sorry I don't have your obvious expertise in using this forum. I am relatively new to Cruise Critic but have found most people to be extremely helpful and willing to share their experiences. Appreciate your suggestion and will keep searching.

Parramata is quite a way out especially if you want to see the sights of Sydney.Star City Casino has beautiful apartments also the Vibe hotel Sydney is good and reasonably priced both are very close to transport such as the light rail and central station to take you all over Sydney i would recomend getting a 3 day or weekly pass which would allow you to travel on all the ferries buses and rail except for the light rail as much as you like.You can do the rocks darling harbour china town circular quay must do is the fish markets if you are into seafood for a fresh seafood platter maybe hop on a ferry over to manly or to the zoo lots to see and do have fun.

[Belfast Castle]

We stayed at the Meriton on Kent Street - first class apartments - very central - had evything we wanted and the freedom and space which apartments have to offer - we did notwant a hotel and theseapartments came highly recommend - good luck

[bluestarfish]

Thank you, Belfast Castle and wotaripper for your recommendations and your advice. Very much appreciated.

 

Belfast Castle - my DH and I had the pleasure of visiting Ireland in 2008 and we particularly loved the Antrim Coast. It was the highlight of our trip, especially since my ancestors came from there, long, long ago and it was one of the few days we had no rain!

 

Globaliser - You have inspired me to learn more about posting and searching on Cruise Critic. You have so much valuable experience to share. I have come across some of your posts and they are extremely helpful in guiding us through the technical aspects, in particular.

 

Thank you all for taking the time to help.

 

Jane

[aussiegirl]

I haven't stayed at the Rendevous Stafford hotel, but here is a link to the various reviews of this hotel on Trip Advisor. It seems to be rather well-rated.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g255060-d256655-Reviews-Clarion_Collection_Rendezvous_Stafford_Hotel-Sydney_New_South_Wales.html

[bluestarfish]

Thanks for the link assiegirl. The reviews do sound very good and the location seems excellent. Appreciate the help.

[Pretending]

Hi

We stayed at this hotel in August last year. We were not in a hotel room as such but in one of the Terrace Houses. If you look at the photo of the front of the hotel we were in the white terrace house attached on the right side (as you look at it)

It was lovely. Very clean, fabulous location, really nice and helpful staff. I would certainly recommend it, and I would book to stay there again next time we are in Sydney.

 

I hope that helps. If you have any other questions I am happy to answer if I can.

[bluestarfish]

Hi Pretender: Thank you so much for the reassuring comments. We have booked a studio apartment at the Rendezvous. The location seems perfect for getting around, mainly walking, to the sights. Great to hear from someone who has actually stayed there. We are so looking forward to finally getting to visit Australia. Thanks again, Jane

[sandandsea lovers]

We stayed at the Shangri-la at the rocks. Great position, look out the window down to the harbour bridge or look over to the right to the opera house. The best views of Sydney harbour. A must, wouldnt stay anywhere else. Hope this helps.;)

[rubyted]

I would also recommend Quay West Suites - 1 or 2 bedroomed serviced apartments overlooking the bridge and the opera house, and very convenient for the rocks and circular quay.

 

Enjoy your time in Sydney - we certainly did:)

[AndyTheMan]

We stay in Sydney regularly for concerts etc.

 

Use tripadvisor for hotels - it never leads you astray!

 

Good ones we have stayed in include

 

Novotel Rockford Darling Harbour (close to train station, chinatown, darling harbour, casino and right near the monorail and light rail stations) - always has good prices if you book in advance you can sometimes get a King Room for less than $140 a night!! Its one of our favourites as you can wlk to everything through Darling Harbour, us the 'inner harbour' ferry for trips around to the circular quay etc. Its literally $10 in a taxe from anywhere in the city centre!! Also, ALL rooms are King size rooms and very large, pool and gym in building and linked to a nice restaurant/pub/bar (called the pumphouse)

 

I would tend to stay at the Rockford and get the ferry into the city, we have done this with overseas visitors and just the $6 ferry ride is an experience for them (going to dinner on the ferry at sunset, as it passes Luna Park, under the Bridge, past the Opera House and into circular quay was a trip highlight for them I guess). $10 in a taxi after dinner to get back to hotel (or 15 mins walk)

 

Novotel Darling Harbour or Ibis Darling Harbour - usually more expensive that the Rockford but well located still - especially if you are going to any events in darling harbour

 

Stamford Plaza is perhaps the best in the city that I have stayed in, but comes with the price tag!!! I think it was around $350 a night last time we stayed - but comes with all the extras like valet pariking and so on.

 

The Start City Casino Hotel is great too, but expensive and a bit further out of hte way - best hotel pook I've been in for a while though with views of the entire city!

[sentosa25]

We stayed at the Meriton on Kent Street - first class apartments - very central - had evything we wanted and the freedom and space which apartments have to offer - we did notwant a hotel and theseapartments came highly recommend - good luck

 

Hello Belfast Castle,

Hoping to book a RCCL Cruise to Australia and New Zealand for 2010, what time of year did you go and how was the weather?:o

Sentosa 25

[Grumpy100]

We stayed at the Four Points Sheraton and it included a buffet breakfast that was fantastic. It is about a 1/2 block from Darling Harbor, lots of restaurants, etc. Also right behind the hotel is Sydney Aquarium and the Sydney Wildlife World. About a 15 minute walk to Circular Quay where you can pick up all the ferries to the different places. We went to the Taronga Zoo. Enjoyed it very much and got some great pictures.

[DougH]

It's been a number of years but I really enjoyed my stay at The Russell. http://www.therussell.com.au/

 

Fantastic location and friendly staff, sure have to move up another trip to Sydney on my "To Do" list. I loved the city and people.

[rugbypopsie]

Trip Advisor is very reliable for reviewing any of the Sydney hotels...even us aussies use it. There are plenty to choose from right in the city, the Hilton, Marriott, Amora, Sofitel, Sheraton etc. Meriton Apartments are nice. Right up market the ANA and Intercontinental have fantastic views.

 

Best time for visiting Sydney...summer of course! Most of the NZ cruises are from Nov to Feb...be aware that the south island of NZ can be quite cold even in December nothing between it and Antartica...Sydney and the North Island of NZ will be warm.

[room010]

The Rocks is by far the best area to stay. It's tucked right next to the bridge and a 10 minute walk to the Opera House, Botanical Gardens and Circular Quay where all the harbour ferries operate from. There are lots of good restaurants, shopping and several hotels to suit all budgets including a basic but good Holiday Inn. The views from the Shangri La are indeed spectacular so ask for a room on one of the higher floors.

 

As for the best time to visit, I think around Easter (March/April) is best when the intense heat of summer is beginning to wane but it's still warm enough for the beach. Unfortunately I think a lot of cruise ships have moved elsewhere by then but shop around.

[Belfast Castle]

Hi

 

Sorry for the delay in answering - really just spotted your question today.

 

We went in November - about the 10th I think - weather was lovely -just warm enough to enjoy lbut pleasant enough for going about in. And going about we did!! we just oved it. We were in Sydney for 7 days prior to joining the Rhapsody of the Seas for 11 nights - we had the most tremendous time. Go for it- you will love it - we have the most wonderful memories!!

 

Any other questions email on sunseeker1@ntlworld.com - more likely to see them there!!

 

Barbara

 

Hello Belfast Castle,

Hoping to book a RCCL Cruise to Australia and New Zealand for 2010, what time of year did you go and how was the weather?:o

Sentosa 25