Hotels in Sydney Australia

If you can share your budget and requirements in terms if style of hotel etc, that would be helpful.

In relation to location, I would recommend you pick somewhere in the central business district. That way you're close to the harbour, and museums etc, and a short trip from the beaches.

Top of my list is the Park Hyatt, right by the harbour. I also like The Fullerton, in the old post office building on Martin Place.

A hotel close to Darling Harbour or the Rocks would be suitable and central (but still close to restaurants).

Stay away from Central railway station as it's a bit grotty and there are quite a few homeless and beggars.

Knowing your budget and the time of year you will be travelling would help enormously. For example, around New Year hotel prices in Sydney can be treble what they are at other times.

For a first time visitor I'd suggest staying in The Rocks - the historic section of the city close to the transportation hub of Circular Quay, and a short and pleasant stroll over to the Opera House and the Botanical Gardens beyond.
Pick up an Opal Card and take the ferries around the harbor to some of the picturesque suburbs - of which there are a multitude of choices including Manly Beach.
It's been a few years since our last stay, but we favor The Rendezvous Stafford - their apartments are reasonably priced and quite nice, and it's close to the popular Rocks Market which operates on weekends. It's also a few blocks away from the cruise ship terminal.

Thanks everyone for your replies - much appreciated! I will be in Sydney in late September (yes, I realize I am booking rather late). I am hoping to keep under $400 per night, so I will look at the hotels in the areas you recommended. Thanks again for your help!

You should be able to find some very nice places for less than $400 per night Canadian
- even in the Rocks.
Suggest using booking.com as a search engine to filter out the various choices, then see if the property has its own website for possibly better amenities and pricing.

In February we stayed at The Tank Stream in the CBD. - recommended by several people on the forum. We found this to be a great location, kind of mid-distance between the Rocks and the Botanic Garden. Easy transportation both from the airport and trams to other locations. And a very easy walk to the harbor, opera house and the multi-story food court building - sorry I forgot the name of the building. Very close to Mr. Wu's Dumpling House, you may want to make reservations. You can catch the tram to Chinatown for more delicious food. Great restaurants in the Rocks area. Honestly one trip through the Rocks area was enough for us. We combined our visit with a walk across the bridge. We loved Sydney. Have a wonderful time.

Thanks to everyone for your great suggestions. Much appreciated!

I stayed at a hotel now named the Sydney Harbour Hotel which was very reasonably priced, located at the Rocks, and it was very handy for everything, including attending the Sydney Opera House one evening. Be sure to go to the rooftop for fantastic views! You can watch the groups of people walking high up over the bridge arch, too!