Surry Hills

Paramount House Hotel

★★★★★

Paramount House Hotel is the stay for travellers who want to live like a Sydney local in the city's most interesting food neighbourhood. It occupies the former headquarters of Paramount Pictures in Surry Hills, a building from the days when the film studio ran its Australian distribution from these streets, and it was converted into a hotel by the architects Breathe, who kept the industrial bones and added warm timber, plants and clever detailing. There are just 29 rooms, which gives the place the feel of a private house. Rooms mix heritage character with a modern refresh: high ceilings, big windows in many of them, terrazzo-tiled bathrooms, French linen sheets, curated artwork and Aesop bathroom products. The building is also a small creative hub. The Golden Age Cinema and Bar in the old screening room shows classic and new films with a bar attached, Poly is a well-regarded restaurant and wine bar, AP Bakery bakes some of the best bread and pastries in the area, and Paramount Coffee Project is a long-standing favourite for breakfast. Step outside and you are in Surry Hills, with its terrace houses, small bars, restaurants of every cuisine and weekend brunch culture; Crown Street and the cafes around it are a short walk away. Central station is about ten to fifteen minutes on foot, giving easy access to trains, the airport line and the light rail. Disabled access is available, but contact the hotel to check the details for your needs.

Where it fits: Surry Hills is the neighbourhood many Sydneysiders would choose to show off to friends, with some of the best eating in the country packed into a few leafy blocks. Staying here means you trade harbour views for a richer evening life, and the harbour is only a short train or bus ride away. It is ideal for a second visit to Sydney, or for a first visit by travellers who care more about food, coffee and atmosphere than views.

Room craft: rooms vary because of the heritage building, so read the room descriptions carefully and ask about light and outlook when booking; corner rooms and those with the largest windows are the most atmospheric. Book a film at the Golden Age on your first night, have breakfast at Paramount Coffee Project, and pick up pastries from AP Bakery for a harbour picnic. Weekday stays are quieter; Friday and Saturday nights bring the buzz of the bars below and around.

Who it suits and the trade-offs: couples, food lovers, design fans and creative travellers. There is no pool, no spa and no harbour view, and with only 29 rooms it books out early for busy periods. Families with young children may find the rooms and the nightlife-focused neighbourhood less suitable. Rates sit at the upper-mid level, reflecting the design and the intimacy rather than facilities.