My MIL (and hubby) are coming over in Oct/ Nov and as a surprise we are taking them to Sydney for a week.

BUT I don't know where to start looking at accommodation...by that I mean which area to base ourselves

There will be 4 adults a 15 yo a 12yo and a 3 yo, so we will be needing an apartment and we will be hiring a car.

We want to do the usual tourist things..bridge, Opera house, Blue Mountains, Taronga Zoo, Bondi/ Manly etc etc...so where do we need to be based for such things?

Thanks
Hxx

Can't go wrong with the Meriton Apartments in CBD if you can get a good deal. Otherwise heaps of serviced apartments on Wotif.

Thanks, but what area?

CBD would be my choice, Meriton have 3 apartment blocks in the CBD. Otherwise one in Bondi.

Hi Hevs

We are looking at:

www.sydneyapartmentcentre.com

which seems quite good.

I'd be interested too to know of any areas to avoid in Sydney!

thanks

You avoid the west. For tourist accommodation go to CBD, Bondi, Manly.

Bondi and Manly are a bit further out - you have to transport to get to Bridge, Opera, etc, as opposed to walking out the front door. They wouldn't be my choice. (But do take a half-day to do the Bondi-Bronte ocean walk - beautiful.)

CBD, Darling Harbour, George Street (between Central Station and Circular Quay) will all put you in walking distance of everything.

As the other posters have said, sites like wotif and ratestogo and this one http://www.sydneyservicedapartments.net/ will show loads of serviced apartments.
I only have 1st-hand experience of one - it was fantastic, and right at Darling Harbour - "Somerset" on Sussex Street.

Your other option is to house-swap - I haven't done it myself, but I am tempted.....
http://www.homeforexchange.com/searc...hp?stateId=903

Hi Hevs

I would stay somewhere near the harbour. I saw in the previous link, there was serviced apartments in the Rocks area and any of the areas that 22B mentioned. That would be perfect as you are close to the sights and the ferry terminal, with access to Manly and Taronga Zoo, within an easy stroll. You can get the buses from there too and these will take you to Bondi or Coogee, the Bondi walk is a must do. There are loads of resturants as well.

Hope this helps

Pauline

Yes agree , this is a BEAUTIFUL walk.....lovely views...and I would also be tempted to housewap, it needn't be simultaneous, other than that I would look for apts in the Rocks!!

Enjoy it when you come!!!

Definitely city centre, Darling Harbour, The Rocks. If you look up a very recent thread by cindyabs we've just been advising her on the same.

Somebody on here recently stayed at the Meriton on Kent and rated it highly; it's close to Darling Harbour but also convenient for the shopping district and train stations and access to the main tourist traps. Around this same area (Kent St, Sussex St, etc.) you'll find tons of serviced apartments - Somerset, Fraser Suites, etc. I walk past them all twice a day.

Friends of mine have stayed at Oaks Hyde Park Plaza on College St, which is the other side of the CBD shopping district but overlooking Hyde Park and right at the start Oxford Street (not sure if the latter is a plus for families ).

Re. hire cars - think carefully about hiring one for the full week. IME it will spend most of the time in a very expensive car park. Look up a thread by...I think caliburn? but I'm definitely on it sticking in my oar, about travel passes.

Yes we stayed in the Meriton apts on Kent st, and can't fault them. We paid $170 per night for a 2 bd, 2 bathroom apt, full kitchen, fully furnished and serviced daily. There is a swimming pool and gym there. Easy to walk to Darling Harbour, the aquarium (which is wondefull) and China Town. There is a free bus (555?) to the Opera house/Rocks/Ferry boat terminal, so no need to have a car, and plenty of buses to Bondi.
If you book early you should get a good deal. We would probably have paid about $100 per hotel room, without the bonus of the extra space + washing machine/dryer etc.
Enjoy your visit.

[QUOTE=Seasider;7596737]

Re. hire cars - think carefully about hiring one for the full week. IME it will spend most of the time in a very expensive car park.

Totally agree. With the traffic and the expense I would only hire for a day or two at most for trips outside the CBD as most sights can be reach by foot or public transport.

When I did the long weekend with Tiddly and Hels, we had a car but only used it to and from the airport and up to collect Tiddly in the BM. Rest of the time we walked (and walked, and walked and...... If your only excursion is going to be the BM I'd only get the car for a day. I guess it depends on how mobile the MIL & FIL are.

Thanks guys...

MIL has MS but as long as we don't race and are on even surfaces shes ok. FIL is only 52 so hes fit as a flea!

So if we don't hire a car I take it we need a taxi (or 2) from the airport...or is there another way etc etc.

I will have a look at the apartments, but most I have seen seem to be only 2 bed, a bit small for 7...But will keep looking.

We are so excited cos we have booked it as a surprise and we aren't even going to tell them. Once we get to the airport they might start to wonder whats going on

PS> Flights with VB for $39 if anyones interested