Ideas for disembark overnight hotel Sydney

[alaskagirl2010]

Due to international flight, I need to stay overnight in Sydney after the cruise. The flight home is pretty early in the am but I will have a full day. Would appreciate your input. Should I stay near the airport or would it be better to try downtown?

 

Really looking forward to seeing your country!

[Hot Chilli]

There is nothing to see around the airport so suggest you stay in the city.

 

The Old Sydney Holiday Inn is a great location just near the cruise terminal in Circular Quay. It's in need of a spruce up so the rooms aren't amazing but they are clean & a good size. Otherwise the Marriott in Pitt St is always a good choice.

 

Darling Harbour is another spot in Sydney you could stay. There are plenty of restaurants, shopping & the Casino nearby. But not much in the way of Public Transport if you need it.

[6andy6]

There is nothing to see around the airport so suggest you stay in the city.

 

The Old Sydney Holiday Inn is a great location just near the cruise terminal in Circular Quay. It's in need of a spruce up so the rooms aren't amazing but they are clean & a good size. Otherwise the Marriott in Pitt St is always a good choice.

 

Darling Harbour is another spot in Sydney you could stay. There are plenty of restaurants, shopping & the Casino nearby. But not much in the way of Public Transport if you need it.

 

I find, and I have been constantly checking, the Old Sydney Holiday Inn vastly overpriced for what it is basically due to being opposite the cruise ship terminal. There is nothing wrong with the HI in itself I just think that $300+ for a basic room is stretching credibility for a hotel that is barely 4 star (and then pay for internet access).

 

I am staying at somewhere just a fraction further (in the next street back) for somewhat cheaper than the HI called the Rendezvous Sydney The Rocks - basically it is an apartment hotel (pretty common in Australia) with suiie sided rooms, mini kitchens for at least $50-$60 less. Somewhere to stretch out without sitting on your bed.

 

But you need to make sure your transport to the airport is sewn up in the am.

The alternative of staying out at the airport is doable but its pretty much a mixed residential light industry area with very little going on (a few cafes/bars here and there but not much if you don't know your way around).

[Kiwi Kruzer]

I agree. If you are only staying one night , book a hotel as close to Circular Quay as you can. If its the Holiday Inn you can roll your luggage over there and leave it with the porter while you head off sightseeing and your room will be ready when you come back.

You have to get a taxi to the airport anyway, and if its early am there will be no traffic hassles.:D

Theres a good choice of hotels around there. When we have been in a similar situation we have splurged for the one night and gone for an upmarket hotel with a nice view.

Shangri La with a high level room and view of the bridge , Opera House and Harbour would be the icing on the cake at the end of any cruise:)

[Pretending]

When we are in Sydney we always stay at the Rendevous Stafford at the rocks. The rooms are good, clean and reasonable size with a kitchenette. The staff are always lovely and helpful. If you have a suitcase / bag on wheels it is a very easy walk to the hotel from the OPT.

[cassamanda]

Due to international flight, I need to stay overnight in Sydney after the cruise. The flight home is pretty early in the am but I will have a full day. Would appreciate your input. Should I stay near the airport or would it be better to try downtown?

 

Really looking forward to seeing your country!

I notice from your signature that you will be sailing on Dawn Princess. She usually docks at Barangaroo (Wharf 5) which is in Darling Harbour and nowhere near Circular Quay and the accomodation in that area.

Also your arrival date into Sydney is crucial as a new cruise terminal is scheduled to open at White Bay on the opposite shore of Darling Harbour in April this year.

If your ship docks at either Wharf 5 or White Bay then i would suggest checking out such hotels as 4 Points by Sheraton (4 star), Ibis at King St Wharf (3star), Parkroyal Darling Harbour or Holiday Inn Darling Harbour (3.5star). There are also several hotels at Pyrmont, still giving you easy walking access over Pyrmont bridge into the City such as the Novatel.

[alaskagirl2010]

I notice from your signature that you will be sailing on Dawn Princess. She usually docks at Barangaroo (Wharf 5) which is in Darling Harbour and nowhere near Circular Quay and the accomodation in that area.

Also your arrival date into Sydney is crucial as a new cruise terminal is scheduled to open at White Bay on the opposite shore of Darling Harbour in April this year.

If your ship docks at either Wharf 5 or White Bay then i would suggest checking out such hotels as 4 Points by Sheraton (4 star), Ibis at King St Wharf (3star), Parkroyal Darling Harbour or Holiday Inn Darling Harbour (3.5star). There are also several hotels at Pyrmont, still giving you easy walking access over Pyrmont bridge into the City such as the Novatel.

 

That's good to know. I'm sailing in Oct of this year.

[cassamanda]

That's good to know. I'm sailing in Oct of this year.

Keep an eye on your cruise line info for where and when you will dock at as you will dock at either White Bay or Circular Quay (Overseas Psssenger Terminal). This will determine your choice of hotel location.

BTW schedule an arrival at the airport for 2.5 to 3 hours before your flight. We will be visiting Alaska in Aug 2014 for a week or so followed by a southbound cruise on Radiance ex Seward. Not really looking forward to the long flights getting to either ANC or FAI.

[alaskagirl2010]

Keep an eye on your cruise line info for where and when you will dock at as you will dock at either White Bay or Circular Quay (Overseas Psssenger Terminal). This will determine your choice of hotel location.

BTW schedule an arrival at the airport for 2.5 to 3 hours before your flight. We will be visiting Alaska in Aug 2014 for a week or so followed by a southbound cruise on Radiance ex Seward. Not really looking forward to the long flights getting to either ANC or FAI.

 

The flights are awful but it's the price we pay for living in amazing places. Are you doing an AK cruisetour before your cruise? It should be much warmer in Fairbanks compared to the southern and eastern sections of the state. We usually start heading into Fall in Aug.

[jfadra]

I booked the Old Sydney Holiday Inn yesterday for $212 Standard Room. We are doing the Sea Princess 35 night to Hawaii. We have stayed here before and have found it great as we can walk our luggage down to the OPT.

This was a Senior's Rate from their web site and we can cancel up to the day before if need be. I thought it a great price for the position.

 

Jfadra.

[cee cee1]

I booked the Old Sydney Holiday Inn yesterday for $212 Standard Room. We are doing the Sea Princess 35 night to Hawaii. We have stayed here before and have found it great as we can walk our luggage down to the OPT.

This was a Senior's Rate from their web site and we can cancel up to the day before if need be. I thought it a great price for the position.

 

Jfadra.

But if OP goes from White Bay or Barangaroo being close to the OPT won't help them much. It's a long long walk around there! You might want to check where your Sea Princess cruise goes from too for that matter as until April Sea Princess usually goes from Barangaroo, after that probably White Bay.

[Kiwi Kruzer]

But if OP goes from White Bay or Barangaroo being close to the OPT won't help them much. It's a long long walk around there! You might want to check where your Sea Princess cruise goes from too for that matter as until April Sea Princess usually goes from Barangaroo, after that probably White Bay.

 

If its Sea Princess 2 Sept its..

 

Sea Princess 02-Sep-2013 (7:00 (Mon) 02-Sep-2013 16:00 (Mon) White Bay 5

 

You would have to get a taxi to White Bay anyway so a little of extra distance from Circular Quay wont make much difference.

 

[cee cee1]

I booked the Old Sydney Holiday Inn yesterday for $212 Standard Room. We are doing the Sea Princess 35 night to Hawaii. We have stayed here before and have found it great as we can walk our luggage down to the OPT.

This was a Senior's Rate from their web site and we can cancel up to the day before if need be. I thought it a great price for the position.

 

Jfadra.

 

I think if they're talking about walking their luggage down to the ship (which will be at White Bay) they're better off around the other side of the bridge near Balmain not at the Old Sydney Inn. Just my opinion.

kind regards,

Colleen.

[Linnie V.]

Thank you all for your information.

[jfadra]

When I checked last week Sea Princess was leaving at OPT on the 15th April. It was originally going to leave from White Bay but that has been changed.

 

Jfadra

[Australian family]

The Marriott at Circular Quay is very nice, especially the Opera House view rooms.

[talisker63]

+1 for the Harbourside Marriott in Pitt st.

I stay there all the time, usually several times a month. Very close to the Int Term

[cassamanda]

When I checked last week Sea Princess was leaving at OPT on the 15th April. It was originally going to leave from White Bay but that has been changed.

 

Jfadra

You are correct. Sydney ports shows Sea Princess at OPT and Pacific Pearl at White Bay on Apr 15.

[cassamanda]

The flights are awful but it's the price we pay for living in amazing places. Are you doing an AK cruisetour before your cruise? It should be much warmer in Fairbanks compared to the southern and eastern sections of the state. We usually start heading into Fall in Aug.

We will consider doing our own thing pre cruise. Presently reading all the wonderful reviews on the Alaskan forums. Will either rent a car or do the Rail/bus return trip from Anchorage. For this 1st trip to AK we will try to visit Fairbanks, Denali, Anchorage, Seward, Kenai area. Not quite sure yet if we will start from FAI or ANC. Think that the car rental will give us more freedom.

 

BTW According to Sydney Ports, Dawn Princess will be at White Bay on Oct 11 as Radiance of the Seas will be at the OPT.

Unfortunately there is not much information for us to shed about the White Bay terminal and transport arrangements. But do keep an eye on these threads as it is becoming a hot topic.

Here is a concept photo of the new terminal. The bow of the concept ship is pointing to the Darling Harbour area where the current Wharf 5 "tent" terminal is. The only way to get to the new terminal is by road with a 10 minute drive from the City outside rush hours. During early morning and late afternoon it could take 30 minutes.

[alaskagirl2010]

We will consider doing our own thing pre cruise. Presently reading all the wonderful reviews on the Alaskan forums. Will either rent a car or do the Rail/bus return trip from Anchorage. For this 1st trip to AK we will try to visit Fairbanks, Denali, Anchorage, Seward, Kenai area. Not quite sure yet if we will start from FAI or ANC. Think that the car rental will give us more freedom.

 

You are right about the car. The roads are good though often 2 lane. The distances are long. You will need some time to visit north, Anchorage, and the Kenai Peninsula. You might consider reserving your hotels now as this is the height of tourist season and rooms get hard to find.

My only suggestion is making a plan to visit Wrangel/St Elias National Park too. I've lived here 30 years and last year was the first time I went there. It's beautiful and I was mad at myself for neglecting it. It's also not as visited as Denali which is a real shame.

[Linnie V.]

You are right about the car. The roads are good though often 2 lane. The distances are long. You will need some time to visit north, Anchorage, and the Kenai Peninsula. You might consider reserving your hotels now as this is the height of tourist season and rooms get hard to find.

My only suggestion is making a plan to visit Wrangel/St Elias National Park too. I've lived here 30 years and last year was the first time I went there. It's beautiful and I was mad at myself for neglecting it. It's also not as visited as Denali which is a real shame.

 

As a side note. Princess has the Copper River Lodge which is located in the St. Elias Wrangell Park. They offer an excursion that flies you over to a small town called McCarthy which offers a whole day tour of the Kennecott Mines. The short flight is beautiful and the day at Kennecott Mines/McCarthy is truly an Alaskan experience.