Where to stay in Sydney for an affordable family city break
Sydney is having a moment.
The harbour city is a destination named by publications as 'trending', with even the New York Times hailing it as a 'must visit' spot for 2025.
It's also hugely popular for domestic travellers.
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Sydney is having a moment, with travellers around the world keen to visit the Australian city. Getty
Even the ocean pools dotted around the coast have topped charts rounding up the globe's best.
But a trip to the city, famous for Bondi Beach, the Harbour and Opera House, as well as events like Mardi Gras and the New Year's Eve fireworks, is known for having the potential to bust the budget.
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We checked into one of the city's most affordable hotels, the Ibis Styles Sydney Central, to see how it shapes up.
The hotel
The Ibis Styles Sydney Central is on the cusp of Surry Hills and the CBD on Wentworth Ave.
Funky murals adorn the room walls at Ibis Styles Sydney Central hotel. Supplied
It's a pleasant amble from the CBD as well as Hyde Park, Chinatown and trendy spots like Crown Street and Darlinghurst
It's also a short walk to both Museum and Central Stations where you can catch a train, Light Rail or the new Metro to pretty much wherever you want to go.
The room
The hotel has 413 rooms on 18 levels. And in a big game-changer for families, each has a small kitchen with a sink, fridge and microwave.
That means you can bring your own snacks and microwave food - saving you a big chunk of cash while keeping the littlies happy.
We tried a deluxe queen with a balcony. Ibis Styles Sydney Central has some balcony rooms. Supplied
The hotel even offers an off-site car park if you really can't do without your wheels.
There's a variety of rooms to choose from including options with twin and triple beds, which would be ideal for a girls' (or boys') weekend away.
If you have kids who crave space it's a great- and rare option- to find in the city. The balcony was pretty spacious and even had a table and chairs.
All the rooms at the Ibis Styles Sydney Central hotel have a small kitchen. Supplied
The food
The hotel has its own Korean and Japanese fusion bar, Mee So. It's a funky kind of spot, and had a DJ when we visited on a Saturday night.
The food is pretty tasty and a bit Instagrammable. From donburi, to ramen and poke bowls, fans of this kind of cuisine won't know where to start.
The menu also has plenty of unusual cocktails - try the Painting of Shishis which blends bourbon and chocolate bitters with Chartreuse and black sesame.
During happy hour, you can also get $7 house wine and Mee So beer, and $8 house spirits.
The hotel has its own Korean and Japanese fusion bar, Mee So. Supplied
Meanwhile, the hotel's buffet breakfast is a great place to fill up before a day exploring the city.
You can also buy snacks from the hotel reception, plus there's a room service menu with a Japanese spin.
Overall, the Ibis Styles Sydney Central is clean, convenient and affordable - all the things you need for a family city break.
The writer stayed as a guest of Ibis.
