A week ago I was staying in a five-star hotel in the centre of the Sydney CBD (you'd all know the name). There were hot and cold running staff and all the mod cons you'd expect of a $400-a-night+ hostelry.
The only problem was that my room over looked no fewer than five different building sites; and at 8.01am precisely hammering, banging, drilling and bashing started on all five of them.
More sleep? Forget it.
To put it bluntly, downtown Sydney is a dump at the moment with the incomplete (will it ever be finished?) light rail project a blot on the landscape and a further congesting factor in a city already plagued by chaotic traffic. It is an eyesore and an earsore.
There is, however, an easy solution. Choose a hotel on the city fringes, away from the noise and dust.
My latest discovery is the comfortable Metro Hotel Aspire, tucked away in a very quiet street in Ultimo - just two minutes' walk from the Powerhouse Museum, a few blocks from both Chinatown and Broadway. And situated next to a very quiet little park.
No traffic problems, nice refurbished rooms with private balconies - and zero noise. This is largely a residential area.
The staff at reception are very friendly and helpful and there are a restaurant/bar, function rooms, a tour desk and two computers and a printer for guest use in the lounge area.
All rooms have complimentary tea and coffee making facilities, hairdryer, iron/ironing board, in-room safe, work desk, fast free wifi and digital TVs with YouTube/Netflix access.
Security is good with reception manned 24 hours a day.
Even better news is that I've seen double/twin rooms online starting from $103 per night to $149 - which is downright ridiculous value for Sydney, where you can easily pay triple that amount in a very average hotel.
Security is good with reception manned 24 hours a day.
Even better news is that I've seen double/twin rooms online starting from $103 per night to $149 - which is downright ridiculous value for Sydney, where you can easily pay triple that amount in a very average hotel.
Prices rise during peak periods, obviously, but its well worth a call to check out the fluctuating tariffs. Several different packages are available on the hotel's website.
The Metro Hotel Aspire, part of a small chain, also offers daily dinner deals in its Gumtree Restaurant that are pretty hard to resist; on Mondays try John Dory and chips and a Gumtree lager for just $15, or, on Wednesday, penne with meatballs and fresh tomato sauce and a beer for the same price.
There is also in-room dinner service and pre-paid buffet breakfasts that weigh in at $20. On-site underground car parking is available.
With its very cosy beds, this is an ideal budget four-star choice for tourists, or anyone visiting Darling Harbour, Sydney ICC, Sydney Aquarium, Australian Maritime Museum, Cockle Bay Wharf, University of Technology (UTS) or the Star City casino.
I'd happily spend several days here on my own dime.
Metro Aspire Hotel, Sydney, 383-389 Bulwara Road, Ultimo, Sydney, NSW 2007.
Metro Aspire Hotel, Sydney, 383-389 Bulwara Road, Ultimo, Sydney, NSW 2007.
(02) 9211 1499. https://metrohotels.com.au/hotels/metro-aspire-hotel-sydney/
# The writer was a guest of Metro Hotels
I stayed there a few years ago. Looks like it's had a little reno. Was good then
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