Darling Harbour and CBD

Crowne Plaza Sydney Darling Harbour

★★★★★

Crowne Plaza Sydney Darling Harbour is the sensible choice for travellers who want Darling Harbour on the doorstep without paying waterfront prices, and its rooftop is a genuine bonus. The hotel stands on the corner of Bathurst and Sussex Streets, on the western edge of the CBD, where the city slopes down to Darling Harbour. The foreshore is only a couple of hundred metres away, the International Convention Centre about 400 metres, and the Queen Victoria Building and Chinatown are both a five- to ten-minute walk, so it works equally well for conferences, shopping and families heading to SEA LIFE, WILD LIFE or the Maritime Museum. The standout feature is the heated rooftop infinity pool, with views across the towers of the CBD; it is one of the better hotel pools in this price range. Downstairs, TWO 88 Bar and Kitchen on the lower ground floor covers meals and drinks, and there are further on-site venues. Rooms range from standard rooms to premium rooms and junior suites, and the hotel offers a fitness centre, daily housekeeping, free Wi-Fi and electric vehicle chargers. On-site parking is available to registered guests for a daily fee, with a height limit of 2.1 metres, and dogs up to 20 kilograms can stay for a nightly fee. Town Hall station is a short walk, with trains across the network, and the light rail and ferries at Darling Harbour put the rest of the city within easy reach. Expect a polished international-brand hotel rather than a boutique experience.

Where it fits: Darling Harbour is the city's big family and events precinct, with the convention centre, museums, the aquarium and wildlife zoo, the Chinese Garden of Friendship and endless restaurants. Staying on its eastern edge, rather than right on the water, gives you quick access to all of that plus the CBD's shops, and usually a lower rate than the waterfront hotels. It is also a good base for nights out in Chinatown and at the restaurants of Darling Square.

Room craft: standard rooms suit couples and solo travellers; premium rooms and junior suites give extra space for families or longer stays. Ask for a higher floor for city views and less street noise. Use the rooftop pool in the late afternoon, when the light on the towers is best. If you are driving, the on-site car park is convenient but expensive; public transport is excellent from here.

Who it suits and the trade-offs: business travellers, conference delegates, families on a Darling Harbour holiday, and couples wanting a central base with a pool. There are no harbour views from most rooms, and the immediate area is busy with traffic. For a reliable, well-equipped stay at a mid-range price in a central location, it does the job well.