This is for those who want to discover the dynamic urban heart of Sydney, away from the touristy beach and harbour areas. Set in vibrant Surry Hills, the hotel (formerly called Little Albion) has a first-class location amongst independent shops, cool little cafes, historic pubs and bars serving craft beers and biodynamic wines. Despite the suburb's colourful history (it was a notorious slum in the 1920s, rife with crime, alcohol, gambling and violence), things have gentrified in recent years, and now it's one of Sydney's trendiest enclaves, popular with young creative types and foodies.
Like its neighbourhood, the guesthouse is an arty and eclectic mix of old and new, set in a cleverly converted 1920s convent. A contemporary brick, glass and steel extension has been stitched onto the old building, and the 35 bedrooms and lounge areas are spread between the 2 parts. Inspired by 1920s and 1970s design, interiors are a hedonistic palette of crushed velvets, printed fabrics, geometric wallpapers and terrazzo and marble surfaces in pinks, greens and blues. Large glass windows flood the building with light, and the stairwell houses a portrait of infamous madam and crime boss, Tilly Devine — a nod to Surry's gritty past. Utterly unique.
Highs
- Surry Hills itself: a buzzy, villagey feel, with great eateries, coffee hubs and vintage boutiques
- Super-comfortable beds with down pillows and quality white linens
- The relaxed ambiance; grab a drink from the honesty bar and head up to the rooftop terrace to admire the architecture of the building
- Great value in an increasingly expensive city
- Hyde Park, the Opera House and Darling Harbour are all walkable from here
Lows
- Surry Hills is still a little bit rough around the edges
- There's no restaurant, but that's hardly a problem in this neighbourhood
- While children are welcome, we think it's best suited to adults
- Our Smart TV internet hotspot dropped out frequently
- Some rooms face onto adjacent buildings and are a bit dark, but the interiors are the focus anyway
Best time to go
Sydney has an agreeable climate; there's no need to avoid any particular season. January is the hottest month with an average temperature of 73°F (23°C) and July is the coldest month (55°F/13°C). The wettest month is March, which can be very steamy.
Crystalbrook Albion is in a perfect location for events in The Sydney Festival (January), Vivid Sydney (May-June) The Sydney Film Festival (June) and The Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade (March).
The least-exciting time to stay in any inner Sydney suburb is between New Year and mid Jan, when everything closes down because the locals take holidays. If you visited during these weeks you could wonder where all the fun is!
Crystalbrook Albion is in a perfect location for events in The Sydney Festival (January), Vivid Sydney (May-June) The Sydney Film Festival (June) and The Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade (March).
The least-exciting time to stay in any inner Sydney suburb is between New Year and mid Jan, when everything closes down because the locals take holidays. If you visited during these weeks you could wonder where all the fun is!
Our top tips
- Boutique Guesthouse
- 35 rooms
- Breakfast only, restaurants all around
- All ages welcome
- Open all year
- Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car not necessary
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
Rooms
Bedrooms at Crystalbrook Albion are bundles of retro-inspired fun, with luxe touches and tons of space in the larger ones. Oversized beds are wrapped in white linens, with down pillows and customised timber bedheads; Smart TVs come as standard and we loved the funky adjustable brass reading lights and Art Deco velvet chairs in pops of bright colour. Clever multipurpose room dividers include a basin, fridge, safe and rails for hanging clothes. This place may call itself a guesthouse, but the look and feel is pure boutique hotel.
Bathrooms are indulgent, too: marble tiles, quirky brass mirrors and Molton Brown toiletries. In larger rooms, deep free-standing tubs are strategically placed for gazing through a window or skylight; smaller rooms have cleverly designed opaque glass shower cubicles.
There are 6 different room types ranging from 'Cosy' (18 sq.m, designed for a cosy couple) up to the ginormous Albion Suite for a special occasion. My Master Room featured a large north-facing window and pink upholstered window seat looking directly onto the adjacent church roof. Gorgeous mid-morning sun poured into the room from 10am onwards, making our check-out even more reluctant.
Features include:
- Hairdryer
- In-room treatments available
- Minibar
- Safe box
- WiFi
Eating
There's no restaurant at Crystalbrook Albion, but breakfast is included in the overnight rate and served in the lounge: bakery breads, pastries, granola, fruit and fresh orange juice.
For other meals, Surry Hills teems with popular restaurants and great little eateries. Try Xage for Vietnamese street food, including an amazing slow-cooked pork kho, and Porteño for Argentinian, which is a carnivore's dream.
Snacks, fruit and Nespresso coffees are available 24/7 in the lounge, and there's an honesty bar with a good selection of wines, spirits and cocktail ingredients. In-room refreshments include a selection of T2 teas, instant coffee, biscuits and a choice of fresh milks - including soy or almond, which we thought pretty impressive.
Features include:
- Bar
- Restaurants nearby
Activities
- Explore the 'hood. Brunch at South-American inspired Rueben Hills, drink speciality coffee in the Paramount Coffee Project, and browse the vintage shops on nearby Crown Street
- Walk north into the city though peaceful Hyde Park. From there, spend a day doing the sights: the Art Gallery of NSW, the Botanic Gardens (don't miss the Rainforest and Herb gardens), the MCA at The Rocks, and of course, the harbourfront with the world-famous Opera House and Harbour Bridge
- Catch bus 374 for a day on Coogee Beach. Don't miss a swim in its tidal ocean pool, Wiley's Baths. Or lounge with locals at the beautiful Prince Alfred Park pool, a 15-min walk from the hotel
- Walk to Darling Harbour via Chinatown (stopping on the way for dumplings at Din Tai Fung) and spend a day strolling its boardwalks and people-watching
- Back at Crystalbrook Albion, take a glass of wine and a camera to the rooftop terrace for sunset views of Surry Hills
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Historical sites
- Museums / galleries
- Plantlife / flora
- Swimming
Kids
Children are welcome, but the style of guesthouse and location make it best suited to adults and older children.
Best for:
Babies (0-1 years), Teens (over 12)
Family friendly accommodation:
The Sweets can be set up as twin rooms and have space for a baby cot or extra bed. All other rooms have double beds and space for a baby cot.
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
Crystalbrook Albion is in the Surry Hills district of Sydney, Australia. It's 500m from Central Station, and surrounded by great bars and restaurants.
By Air:
Fly into Sydney then jump in a taxi or catch the Airport Link train, which runs every 10 minutes and takes 13 minutes to reach Central Station. From here, it's a 10-minute walk.
It's unlikely you'll want a car here, but if you plan to explore the region, see our car hire recommendations. Parking can be arranged with advanced notice.
Detailed directions will be sent when you book through i-escape.
Airports:
- Sydney 22.0 km SYD
Other:
- Beach 8.0 km
- Shops 0.1 km
- Restaurant 0.1 km