Likened to New York's Soho, Darlinghurst is Sydney's most fashionable urban village. Colonial terraces vie with art deco mansions, restaurant openings with designer homeware shopping. The vibe is hip, streetwise and bohemian, and the cappuccino strip is the place to be seen.
The Medusa embodies this creative, fun spirit to a T. It's a Victorian townhouse given a quirky and daring refit by architect Scott Weston, and the first thing you'll notice are the bold colours. The exterior is shocking scarlet, the hallway has baby-pink anaglypta walls with plaster angels, its carpet is pillarbox red. Bedrooms have waxed walls in bold primaries, while the Miami-style courtyard is in tranquil lavender and primrose. Furnishings are no less stylish: custom-made chaise-longues and 'capsule' kitchenettes in the rooms, a vast paper chandelier in the hall, Medusa motifs throughout. This is your home away from in Australia's most vibrant quarter, and just 10 minutes by taxi from the city centre.
Highs
- Great position in trendy Darlinghurst between Oxford Street and Kings Cross - close to sights, shopping, restaurants, bars and people-watching
- Fun and funky rooms with custom-made details and all mod cons
- Design concept of seduction and drama which would make Medusa herself turn to stone
- Good transport connections with plentiful buses and taxis, and Kings Cross train station 5 minutes away
Lows
- Availability can be a problem, particularly during Mardi Gras
- No bar or restaurant but Darlinghurst has a wealth of clubs, eateries, cafes, pubs and gourmet takeaways on your doorstep
- The Deluxe rooms are not spacious
- This is a 24-hour city renowned for partying, so though most rooms face the tranquil courtyard, you may hear noise at weekends. This laid-back, youthful vibe may not suit families
- Reception is only open 7am until 10pm
Best time to go
Sydney is at its zenith from November to March, when the weather is sunny and warm (although sometimes humid, with occasional downpours), and people packing the streets, parks and beaches. The Sydney Festival of the Arts, every January, features world class events and performances. Australia Day, 26th January, is a national holiday. February has a month long programme of cultural events culminating in the famous Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade and party.
Our top tips
Take advantage of your free pass to the Olympic-sized Cook and Philip Park indoor swimming pool near Hyde Park, or try the Boy Charlton pool on the Woolloomooloo side of Lady Macquarie's Chair near the Botanical Gardens.
Location
The Medusa is slap bang in the heart of Darlinghurst, in the Eastern Suburbs between Kings Cross and Paddington.
By Air:
Sydney (15km) is the nearest. Click on the links below for a list of airlines serving it.
From the Airport
The Medusa is about 15-20 minutes from the airport in a taxi. Alternatively, you can catch the Airport Link train, which runs every 10 minutes and takes 13 minutes to reach Sydney Central Station. From here, you can catch a train to Kings Cross Station (a 5-minute walk from The Medusa).
By Car:
You won't need a car while staying here and it's probably best if you don't have one given the parking restrictions and congestion. There are a plethora of taxis around and it's easy to hail one outside the door. However, if you want to tour around the region, hire cars are available at Sydney airport and in the city - see our car rental recommendations.
By Train:
Kings Cross station is only 5 minutes walk away for connections over the Eastern suburbs, and to Central Station for destinations all over Sydney and New South Wales.
Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.com
More on getting to Australia and getting around
Airports:
- Sydney Kingsford Smith 15.0 km SYD
Other:
- Beach 5.0 km
- Shops 0.3 km
- Restaurant 0.3 km