Going to Sydney for 2 nights (part of a longer vacation). Looking at hotels on The Google there are hundreds of (non American name brand) options all over the bay. Looking for a recommendation from someone who's been there...marriott/hampton inn quality is fine, decent value, but most of all good location to the night life/bars/happening places.

Whatcha got? Also, any recommendations on bars/clubs or the fun areas of Sydney.

4/14/2010 8:36:11 PM

The harbor area is great at night.
I remember the general area that I stayed in a couple years ago, but i don't remember any names.

**google maps is my friend**

I stayed at the Sydney Hilton.
We would walk to Darling Harbor, China Town, and the Haymarket/ Paddy's Market. They sydney opera house area is a walk, but it can be done, or it is a $15 cab ride.

2 days is definitely not enough time to see everything. I was there for 10 days and didn't get everything in.

[Edited on April 14, 2010 at 8:54 PM. Reason : .]

4/14/2010 8:49:05 PM

I lived in Sydney for 6 months

You are looking at hotels, but you can stay in a private hostel room in central sydney for good prices. If you are traveling with a friend or lady, look into getting a private room at Sydney Central YHA or Wake Up. They are pretty close to the Sydney night life on George Street and if you walk to the Opera house from Central, you'll see the whole city (especially if you cut over and walk through Hyde Park and through the Botanical gardens).

I imagine you are going to the beach for one day? I recommend doing the cliff walk that takes you from Coogee to Bondi (two main beaches). You can take the bus to Coogee and the subway back to Central. It takes about 4 hours to do the cliff walk, leaving you plenty of time to chill at the beach.

4/14/2010 9:21:39 PM

stay at the Star City hotel

its really expensive, but its the nicest hotel i have ever stayed in anywhere

4/15/2010 10:58:58 PM

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll probably skip the water portion only because the other 7 days will be 100% beach/water time.

Any other happening hotels? Also, where is the nightlife there. I'm sure its scattered throughout, but is there a particular district or street that would have more nightlife than most?

4/16/2010 12:10:08 AM

George Street in Sydney central has a lot of bars (Paddy's, 3 Wise Monkeys, Scruffy Murphys, Scuba, Cheers, Star Bar). It's close to China town and Darling Harbor. These places will definitely be full and stay open 24 hours. Most of these places have multiple levels with a club level, pub level, and live music level. Most of the pictures on my blog from the going away parties were from these bars.

The bar area next to the opera house and the harbor is an area of town called The Rocks (also off George Street). There are a lot of bars there too, a little bit more high brow, but still a lot of fun. There is a german pub and other bars. There are some clubs too.

There are also bars in between, just one road west of George St. These place are more likely to close early though.

And if you are looking to be sketch, you can head to Kings Cross. I didn't really go over there, but that is where the strip clubs and red light district is. The gay bars are that way too. They have normal places too, but I only headed that way when something was really going on.

[Edited on April 16, 2010 at 10:16 AM. Reason : ]

4/16/2010 10:11:18 AM