Boutique Apartments Sydney

Rooms

Both apartments share a similar clean contemporary style, with open-plan kitchen-dining-living spaces, large windows and white walls brightened by splashes of colourful or kitschy art. Both are split-level, with a long narrow living-dining area downstairs and the bedroom(s) upstairs.

Apartment One (sleeps 2), just west of Bourke St, is perfect for a couple. It's airy and light, with a double aspect living-dining area which opens at the back, via full-height sliding windows, onto a cute little grey-painted patio with decked seating and potted palm trees. There are more potted succulent plants indoors which, along with modular furniture, wooden floors and designer lighting, give it an almost Japanese stillness. It helps that the street is a quiet one. Upstairs, the queensize bedroom has A/C, plenty of wardrobe space, an ensuite grey-tiled shower room and its own terrace with leafy views.

Apartment Two (sleeps 4), just east of Bourke St, is similarly modern and chic, but larger. Its living-dining area features a glass wall with light filtered through a stand of bamboo, plus woodland views and birdsong from its lovely private balcony. Each of the two bedrooms can be set up with a kingsize double or single beds; there is plenty of storage, and a full bathroom (shower and bathtub) between them. Note that there is no A/C in the bedrooms, but we felt that ceiling fans and (if you don't mind sleeping with the window open) a through breeze should suffice in all but the hottest weather. We loved the retro pop art, including the classic Ursula Andress scene from Dr. No, and Daniel Craig skulking in the laundry room. Staying here gives you access to a small gym, a 25m indoor pool, a steam room and a sauna in the building.

Features include:

• Hairdryer
• Washing machine
• WiFi

Eating

Apartment One has an all-white compact designer kitchen in an island within the open-plan living area, and a table seating 3. Apartment Two's larger state-of-the-art version is a sleek affair along one wall, with a table for up to 6. You'll get all the requisite bells and whistles, from sharp knives to Nespresso machine; plus a starter set of tea, coffee, salt, pepper, loo rolls, and bin bags.

Both apartments are close to grocery stores for food shopping, and to a plethora of restaurants. Sydney's dining scene is excellent and diverse. Chaco Ramen, Kindness Vegan, Bloodhound Espresso, East Village Hotel, Elements Steakhouse, Lucio's Pizzeria, Joe's (Asian) and Gelato Messina are all within a few blocks. A private chef can be booked for a special occasion.

Features include:

• Chef on request
• Coffee maker
• Fridge
• Full kitchen
• Hob or stove
• Oven
• Restaurants nearby
• Toaster

Activities

• Take time to properly admire the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Then take a ferry across the harbour to either Taronga Zoo or Manly for fabulous views
  
• The Australian Museum and Art Gallery of NSW abut Hyde Park and the Domain, which lead naturally on to the Royal Botanic Gardens, all the way down to the water
  
• Head to those iconic beaches: a favourite inner-harbour destination is tidal Murray Rose Pool (Redleaf) in Double Bay; most agree Bondi can't be beaten, but Bronte, Tamarama and the Northern Beaches have their supporters, too
  
• The Eastern suburbs of Paddington, Darlinghurst and Potts Point are positively infested with good restaurants, coffee shops, trendy boutiques, cool cocktail bars, galleries and nightlife
  
• Popular walking trails include from Bondi to Coogee, Watsons Bay and the South Head, Spit Bridge to Manly

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Birdwatching
• Boat trips
• Hiking
• Historical sites
• Museums / galleries
• Nightlife
• Sailing
• Shopping / markets
• Surfing
• Swimming
• Windsurfing
• Wine tasting

Kids

Sydney is a fantastic playground for families, with beaches, ferry rides, a world-class zoo, museums and a myriad of attractions. Staying in a centrally located apartment with a well-equipped kitchen makes recovering from the long journey to get here all the easier, as well as providing flexibility and more space than you'd get in the average hotel room.

Best for:

All ages

Family friendly accommodation:

Apartment Two, Quay View and Sky Loft all have second or third bedrooms which can be configured as twins. Quay View and Sky Loft have baths.

Distances:

• Airport: 45 minutes' drive
• Hospital: 10 minutes (St Vincents)
• Shops: 1 minute

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

The apartments are in the trendy Darlinghurst district of Sydney, on the coast of NSW, Australia.

By Air:
Fly into Sydney (10km). The apartments are about 45 minutes away via taxi, or there airport link buses (but you'll probably need to take a cab to the apartment).

Getting Around:
There are plenty of Ubers, taxis and buses, but we found that we could walk to almost all the city's main attractions. Given the parking restrictions and congestion, we don't recommend hiring a car; but, if necessary, Apartment Two has a secure parking space available by prior arrangement.

Detailed directions will be sent when you book through i-escape.