Sydney is one of the most visually spectacular cities and hosts a load of wonderful family hotels in the CBD which can cater for families of four or more. Here is a run-down of the best areas and recommended hotels for your next visit to Sydney – of course all have been road tested and checked for quality by our family for yours!
Central Station and Haymarket Hotels
This is one of our favourite areas to stay in Sydney as it offers some great quality, affordable hotels and is a really bustling and vibrant part of the city with nearby Chinatown and Darling Harbour. If you are driving, this area can also be much more forgiving when it comes to parking availability and cost.
With Central station on your doorstep you will find your way to any point in the city with ease and it is also a reasonably easy walk to darling harbour and the Pitt street shopping.
Best Central hotels for families:
Novotel Central
The Novotel Central is just a 5-minute walk from the station and ticks all the boxes for a comfortable family stay in Sydney. With modern décor and homely quiet family rooms with two queen beds the hotel has loads of parking in the adjacent Wilson carpark and offer a kids’ stay and eat free deal. With a rooftop pool, garden terrace and quiet location this hotel also serves up a delicious buffet breakfast to get the day started.
One of the best local restaurants Thai Terrace is located just steps away from the foyer of the Novotel and my kids rave about the food from this casual eatery and regularly ask for their chicken on a stick (satay!) even when we are not in Sydney.
Mercure Central
Literally sitting on top of Central station the Mercure is a popular choice for family accommodation with some super deals available during accor sales. For a hotel with all the trimmings, and with onsite car parking and breakfast usually included in the rate this hotel is a super choice for families with family rooms consisting of two queen or double beds.
Rendezvous Central
This hotel is a great budget option (during off peak periods) and whilst the rooms aren’t anything to rave about the hotel itself is centrally located and good value for money for clean and simple accommodations.
Waldorf Apartments South Sydney
If you are after a bit more space than a standard hotel room then the South Sydney Waldorf is a perfect solution offering spacious apartments. The real bonus of this hotel is that it includes free on-site parking which is unheard of in Sydney, along with a simple continental breakfast in its nightly rates. Located a little further from the city the walk through the park to get you to George street is pleasant enough and you then have access to the rest of the city from Central station.
Best Darling Harbour Hotels for Families:
In the heart of the entertainment and tourist districts in Sydney, Darling Harbour is a beautiful spot to stay in Sydney. Walking distance to practically everywhere and with a multitude of public transport options conveniently located nearby.
Parkroyal Darling Harbour
One of the swankier hotels in the Darling Harbour part of Sydney, the Parkroyal can offer some surprisingly good deals on their own website particularly when booking in advance. Always worth a check for your dates to see how affordable this place can be picked up for.
The Parkroyal is literally across the street from the Sydney Aquarium at Darling Harbour and is walking distance to every major attraction in the CBD. Rooms are pretty suave and the breakfast and service is always good.
Mantra on Kent Street
I gotta be honest that this place when available for a decent price is really fantastic. Located directly between Darling Harbour and Pitt Street mall you will really find yourself in the centre of the action. With spacious and modern apartments being a perfect solution for families looking for space and the option to self-cater. Of course if you enjoy indulging in a breakfast buffet this is always a good option.
Holiday Inn Darling Harbour
Holiday Inn hotels are synonymous with family travel due to their super recognition of families. The Holiday Inn at Darling Harbour is moments from the Powerhouse museum and the rest of the excitement in the entertainment hub and offers the standard kids stay and eat free deal which is always a welcome inclusion.
Ibis King Street Wharf
Outside of peak times this hotel can be picked up for a steal and is centrally located a short walk from the King Street Wharf section of Darling Harbour (as its name would suggest!). With two king beds in the family rooms and a friendly, unpretentious vibe this hotel is a great cost effective Sydney stay.
Best Hyde Park Hotels for Families:
Very centrally located still and in the business and shopping districts. Hyde park itself is a green oasis in the hustle of Sydney and conveniently adjoins the royal botanical gardens which makes for a beautiful walk to circular quay.
Travelodge Sydney
Just a stone’s throw from Museum station, Hyde Park, amazing shopping and attractions such as the Australian Museum the Travelodge is a great family option right in the heart of the city. The rooms are pretty simple but all you really need – after all you don’t come to Sydney to sit in a hotel room.
The hotel is no frills but has very friendly staff and a tasty breakfast to get the day started.
Pullman Hyde Park
Across the road from Hyde Park is the plush and swanky Pullman Hyde Park. A five-star experience from the food, rooms and location this hotel is the option when you feel like spoiling the family and paying a bit of a premium for the experience. The family rooms offer two queen beds and are furnished with all the same style as the rest of the hotel.
Hotel Stellar Best Western
After a hotel with all the same location perks as the five-star options but at a fraction of the price tag then the Hotel Stellar is a great choice for clean and modern accommodation. Located on the corner of Hyde Park and offering a choice of rooms, suites and apartments including the option for self-catering.
The only negative with this hotel? Navigating the uber squeezy carpark!
Circular Quay
Hahah. I would love to give you some really great family recommendations for this area but alas the hotels in this region tend to be out of our travel budget.
There are of course some beautiful hotels in this area and I have noticed some good deals and family friendly offers for the Holiday Inn in the Rocks but caveat emptor that parking in this part of the city can be a killer.
Hopefully this has given some direction to your thoughts about great places to stay in Sydney. Stay tuned for the next Sydney instalment - different things to do with kids in Sydney.
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