Like most major cities there are lots of hotels in Sydney, the trick is to narrow the choice down and find something suitable. More importantly, you need to be in the right area to truly take advantage of this wonderful and iconic city.

There are a host of great things to see and do, and I am aiming this post for travelers who are looking to stay for a week or less. Anything longer than that and you will be starting to take longer day trips, which start to change the transport options.So let’s have a look and see what we need.

Where to stay

My recommendation here is to get somewhere close to Circular Quay. If you’ve never been to Sydney before then Circular Quay is situated right between The Opera House and The Harbour Bridge, and is a great hub to jump off on your travels. Circular Quay itself obviously has all the ferries which take you all over the harbour, and to be honest the harbour itself as a great draw-card.

But Circular Quay also has the underground rail station and from there it’s very easy to head all over Sydney. Train from here will also get you to and from the airport. Click here to see the map of Sydney’s train services.

Things to see

The Sydney Opera House is such an iconic sight that is known all over the world. There is a tour that runs for a couple of hours and gives some real insights into the build and the history of the place. But aside from that you can just take a stroll around the place anyway, or just sit and enjoy the views.

It’s a lot bigger than most people imagine and when you first see it, it really does take your breath away. I would put it up next to the Eiffel Tower for its sheer wow factor. To see what tours are available click here.

The harbour Bridge is right next to the Opera House and they compliment each other really well. For the brave there is a tour that will let you walk across the top of the bridge. Naturally you have to be harnessed in and under the control of a guide. But the views are spectacular. To learn more about the bridge climb click here.

As mentioned earlier a tour on the harbour is a great way to spend a few hours. The last one I went on had about 7 or 8 stops and you get off an on at each one. So you could spend a bit of time to have a short walk or lunch here and there and really get the most out of it. Click here to see the Ferry schedules.

Taronga Park Zoo is just across harbour and easily reached by ferry. From the zoo you have great views across the harbour, as the zoo is set into the side of a hill sloping up from the waters edge.

I love going to this zoo. It was one of the first ones to really think about the animals welfare, It got them out of cages and into a more natural setting. For more details on the zoo, click here.

The National Maritime Museum is in Darling Harbour which just around the other side of the bridge. You either get there as part of the ferry tour, or take a short walk through the historic Rocks area. There are lots of cafes and bars in this area as well. Some maritime museums can be a bit on the dry side, (no pun intended). But I found this one to be a bit more interactive, which can help to keep you engaged. Click here to learn more.

The last one I would mention in the Centrepoint Tower. I first took the trip up this tower in the late 80’s and it was great. The views across Sydney were unbeatable. Unfortunately Sydney has grown up around the tower now, and it feels more like you’re there to check out the office furniture in the adjacent buildings.

The hotels in Sydney

So now lets have a look at some hotels in the area. I like to keep it to only 5 or 6 hotels otherwise you’re still left with a daunting choice. I have made sure to include a range of prices so you should find something suitable. If you’ve read my posts before you will know that there are 3 main things that I look for in a hotel.

I like breakfast or at least facilities to make breakfast, so that I don’t have to waste my first couple of hours each day hunting for food.

I like to have laundry facilities, because I like to travel light, so I need to wash clothes every few days. Trust me, holidays are much more fun when you’re not weighed down with huge bags.

Normally I would also like to have parking available as well, however in this case, we have put ourselves at a transport hub and a car isn’t necessary. As I mentioned earlier, if we were staying longer that a week, I would look further out from the centre of Sydney to allow me to better use a car.

Anyway hopefully there is something here that suits you. As always if the click on the hotel name it will open a new window to the booking.com page for that hotel and you can check it out further.

For extra travel reading, try these articles;

How to pack for overseas travel

16 Tips to stay healthy while traveling

Cheers and happy travels

Discover The Rocks – Historical Terrace House

Gloucester Street, Sydney Central Business District, 2000 Sydney, Australia

Located in Sydney center, 0.8 mi from Hyde Park Barracks Museum and 0.9 mi from The Royal Botanic Gardens, Discover The Rocks – Historical Terrace House provides accommodations with free WiFi and a balcony.

Each unit comes with a patio, a fully equipped kitchen with a microwave, a seating area, a flat-screen TV, a washing machine, and a private bathroom with shower and a hairdryer. A fridge, an oven and stovetop are also featured, as well as a kettle.

The apartment offers a terrace.

Sydney Opera House is 1.2 mi from Discover The Rocks – Historical Terrace House while Harbor Bridge is 1.3 mi away. The nearest airport is Kingsford Smith Airport, 5.6 mi from the accommodations.

Wyndel Apartments Sydney CBD – Bond

Bond Street, Sydney, Sydney Central Business District, 2000 Sydney, Australia

Boasting a fitness center, a rooftop pool and a spa pool, Wyndel Apartments – Bond Street is 5 minutes’ walk from Wynyard Station in Sydney CBD (Central Business District).

Each air-conditioned room includes a fully equipped kitchen with a dishwasher, stove top and oven. It has a flat-screen TV, a DVD player, a washing machine and a tumble dryer.

Bond Street Wyndel Apartments is a 5-minute walk from Pitt Street Mall and Martin Place. Sydney Opera House and Darling Harbor are less than 10 minutes’ away.

Metro Apartments on King

27-29 King Street, Sydney Central Business District, 2000 Sydney, Australia

Offering a rooftop swimming pool and free Wi-Fi, Metro Apartments on King are 250 m from bars and restaurants on Cockle Bay Wharf in Sydney CBD (Central Business District). All apartments feature a private balcony and a flat-screen TV.

King St Metro Apartments are just 5 minutes’ walk from Darling Harbor and Sydney Aquarium. It is 10 minutes’ walk from Chinatown and 15 minutes’ walk from Star City Casino.

All apartments feature a fully equipped kitchen, a dining area and a lounge area with a 2-person sofa bed. Each offers a bathroom with a shower, hairdryer and guest toiletries.

There are busses stopping just yards from the hotel that can take you to attractions such as Sydney Opera House, Sydney Botanical Gardens and The Rocks.

Accommodation Sydney – Hyde Park Plaza

1301/38 College Street, Sydney Central Business District, 2010 Sydney, Australia

Providing city views, Accommodations Sydney – Hyde Park Plaza in Sydney provides accommodations, a restaurant, an outdoor swimming pool, a fitness center, a bar and a terrace.

Each unit comes with a sofa, a seating area, a flat-screen TV, a well-fitted kitchen with a dining area, a safety deposit box and a private bathroom with a hairdryer. A microwave, a fridge and stovetop are also provided, as well as a kettle.

At the apartment guests are welcome to take advantage of a sauna and a hot tub.

Art Gallery of New South Wales is 1.1 mi from Accommodations Sydney – Hyde Park Plaza, while Hyde Park Barracks Museum is 1.5 mi away. The nearest airport is Kingsford Smith, 4.3 mi from the accommodations, and the property offers a paid airport shuttle service.

Mantra 2 Bond Street

Cnr Of George And Bond Streets, Sydney Central Business District, 2000 Sydney, Australia

Located close to Sydney Harbor and Circular Quay, Mantra 2 Bond Street is just a 1-minute walk from the heart of the Sydney CBD (Central Business District). The Rocks, with its mix of restaurants, pubs and historic buildings is just 651 m away and 0.7 mi from Circular Quay Overseas Passenger Terminal.

Mantra 2 Bond Street offers spacious studios and 1, 2, and 3-bedroom apartments, penthouses and junior suites, most with stunning Sydney city views. Refurbished in 2016, all rooms are fully self-contained and feature premium bedding, broadband internet access, cable TV, a mini bar and air-conditioning.

Guests can enjoy a meal at the onsite Memento Bar & Kitchen, showcasing Australia’s best produce with an exclusive selection of Australian and international wines. There are also several restaurants, cafés and shopping centers within a 10-minute walk.

Guests can choose to relax in the luxurious rooftop pool and spa boasting panoramic views of the city, or go shopping in one of the nearby shops or boutiques.

Nearby attractions include Sydney Opera House, Pitt Street Mall, Darling Harbor, and The Museum of Contemporary Art.

Siesta Sydney

301 Kent Street, Sydney Central Business District, 2000 Sydney, Australia

Siesta Sydney hostel is located in the Sydney CBD (Central Business District), within 15 minutes’ walk of major Sydney landmarks in Darling Harbor, The Rocks and Circular Quay. Offering simple accommodations with free WiFi, It is surrounded by an array of dining, entertainment, and shopping venues.

Siesta Sydney offers nonsmoking double rooms with central air conditioning. All guests receive shared access to bathroom, laundry and kitchen facilities. There is a large communal dining room. Free towels are provided on request.

Siesta Sydney is 3 minutes’ walk from Wynyard Train Station. It is 20 minutes’ walk from the Opera House and Bondi Beach is 20 minutes’ drive away.