Ok Guys,
Here is the truth of this hotel. I checked in on the 4th November 2007 at about 14:00 and the check-in time is around 14:00. Now there is a point that sometimes some rooms are not ready at 14:00 which is check in time but lucky my room was ready how ever the couple in front's room which was an aparment which was not ready for check-in and was told to come bk in 1hr time.
Taxi's from Sydney Kingsmith airport are: from Domestic airport $31 or from International $44. These are the prices that i paid for it. The location of the hotel which i found very unusual is between two shops and all you can see is a sign that points you into the reception area which is located down a flight of steps. The say that they are in the Darling Harbour Area. Upon getting to the hotel i did find that Yes they was NEAR darling harbour but would say that infact the hotel is really in Chinatown but it is in walking distance of Darling Harbour. Would say round about 15 min walk and over a busy road. After i had checked in you go up a lift which you have to swipe your card threw to gain access. So dont forget you card !!. Now i couldn't find any signs telling you which level you room is on. so had to ask at receiption but was told that she didnt know either. Really helpful lol. After searching for five minutes slowly going up the lift i found my level. There is 18 levels to the hotel and i gotta say each level is very clean. The reception was very clean but very small so couldnt realli take a group of ten or more people. The top level is a Spa which does a range of different things but it is pricey so beware. Good fun if your a couple but otherwise if you go to the basement level (B2) you can find another one which is alot cheaper but not as nice as the therma spa with the views over Sydney. After letting myself into the room i was amazed at how clean the room was. Now i booked this hotel before looking at reviews of it. Was realli shocked when i read the reviews that some have given. Now trust me its not at all bad. Ignore them please. Yes some rooms are a bit dated but i think you would find that most of the reviews are on the Apartments which are higher up the hotel. I stayed in the studio which was modern, very clean, very spacious, big bathroom, balcony (although not great view but will explain in moment), big tv, big bed, clean carpet, and nice size kitchen. I knew for a fact that they realli did look after the rooms. and everyone has bad reviews on them but i gotta say it was very clean. Maid service is when you want it you just ring up the day before and advise them then you are going out and when you get bk you will find that everything has been cleaned. Meal service. the hotel have a good range of food that you can order threw the hotel. ranging from $5 to $15, and they try to get it up to you within 10 minutes of ordering. There is range of movies and extras that you get at all hotels and they are priced at $14.95 per film.
Now the balcony to me it was a massive let down. If you want a realli good view then you need to get a floor over 11. otherwise you get a lovely view of either a brick wall (which i got) or a run down theatre. The balconys are very small aswell just big enough for one person and you wanted realli wanna sit out there anyway because of the view. I found out that only the apartments have bigger balconys and they also get deck chairs and things.
Noise aswell. I was woken up one nite by the noise of some rowdy crowd two levels below. Now i dont mind it but nothin was done about it and the crowd was hanging around the balcony area till around 3 in the morning which wasnt good. Staff are very friendly and will do anything to help make your stay enjoyable so i have to say they was very good. Location to major actractions. Ok to Harbour bridge you are looking at about 35-45 mins walk which i recommend as you get to see more things on the way there. SkyTower is about 15mins away. Botantic Gardens 45mins and Opera House is about 35-40mins. Taxi's around the city range from $10 to $50 depending on where you wanna go. I DO NOT RECOMMEND TAKING A TAXI TO BONDI BEACH OR TO THE ZOO. YOU WILL BE STUNG !! there is a monorail few minutes walk from the hotel at Paddys Market which can give you a return ticket for $8. This can take you to either the further outer places to see with just a couple of stops. Check out is 11:00 and be prepared as the will ring if you are late out. You can arrange late check but you must do it 24hrs in advance no later or earlier and its subject to avaiblety. If you wanna go visit places while you wait for your flight or somethin then you can head dan to the basement level which have lugguage points. You pay $6 and that gives you 4hrs to go explore the city before coming bk to collect it. The hotel can also arrange taxi's for you and i found out there are just a little bit cheaper then going onto the street and getting one. So arrange one while you are there. Overall it wasnt a brillant stay but if you wanna explore Sydney and on a budget then this is for you.
Will keep you updated on my next visit's.
Bye !

Regards,
A Travel Agent