The Old Clare Hotel, Sydney

Nicely fitted out and great location

The bathroom with clear glass was awkard for 2 friends

The hotel is very nice and the location is convenient. The WIFI works well enough on the lower level but not on the loft level. I would stay at the hotel again and try a different room.

The bed was quite uncomfortable. I understand that two single beds cobbled together is the norm, but I think with these particular beds I may have been better off just asking for twin beds and seeing if that was more comfortable. I did not request this as I was already settled in. One side was far too soft and sunken and the other side only slightly better, and they were practically two separate twin beds anyway. Also, in this loft room much of the time the rooftop was open there was what sounded like furniture being dragged around, and in the morning it sounded like something being wheeled around, so would try a different style of room in future.

Fabtastic location in central Sydney, especially for the train station if exploring outside the city. The building is full of character, the front bar the star of the art-deco show. Room refreshed with Nespresso pods each morning. Able to store luggage securely onsite for early arrivals and later flights out and easy access for taxis & ubers.

The rooftop pool was only in the sun before midday, so if you're planning an afternoon swim post-exploring, it'll definitely be shady and little cooler. The rooftop bar is also open to the public, so swimming after 5 pm, you may have an audience.

Location was great - very close to Central Station but with good food options (Spice Alley). Very spacious room (I had the loft) Rooftop pool is a great thing to have.

Upon checking into my room, there was a handwritten note left for the previous guest as well as a half empty jug of water and a bottle cap - not the level of service I would expect for a 5* hotel. Rooftop pool area feels a bit tired - could do with smartening up. The pool itself was very dirty on the second day I was there - lots of hair, crumbs and leaves on the surface. The rooftop bar is not open on Mondays and Tuesdays which was a shame as it meant the roof area lacked an atmosphere.

Liked the kind and helpful staff and comfy pillows and location.

The pool could have a more friendly set up with more comfy seating / loungers for tanning and there could be better room service options.

Location and the bar for breakfast was great! Room was big snd bed comfy!

The shower screen wasn’t clean and the room was cold’

Music from the pool bar too loud and a constant booming in the room

Incredible architecture! The foyer and reception is full of all sorts of eye catching items and textures! The old saloon doors and original bar is fantastic! The rooms are pretty epic, insanely deep bath (divine!!) and the decor is fun! The BEST bed I have ever slept in. Did you guys capture the human ideal of what a fluffy cloud is!? (It was decadent!!!) The proximity to Woolies, train line and HEAPS of food…. PRICELESS!

Overall the room was lovely and clean, but several large drains on the carpet/stairs. I understand that’s hard to avoid with a popular place but it might not sit well with some folk. Only other thing is for those who are eyeing of the loft - whilst now hassle for me (I loved it!!) you have a big set of stairs to haul up your luggage if you do not want it on your lower level/lounge” area. It’s a beautiful stay though - recommended!

Beds were very comfortable, staff were amazing

Location was great and being on the lower level handy.

See through bathroom walls! Needs a warning. Also no fridge room.

Late checkout upon request was very helpful

The beds were too soft - almost like a giant pillow which was slightly disconcerting

Love the caricature of the accomodation

Non comes to mind

Always pleasant staff,room clean and tidy ,nothing is any trouble

Everything was fine and that is why that was our third stay at Old Clare

Location and proximity to transport and restaurants

Facilities were a bit tired and staff were not veery responsive

The location is ideal for accessing both local coffees/food and also easy to access the tram.

Got the King Abercrombie room for our wedding night and it was extremely comfortable. Staff were accomodating with early check in and left us some champagne and chocolate as well which was lovely. The bathtub was a great addition which made us choose the room in the first place. For tourists, the location would be amazing as well near Central station.

Found one small cockroach but very easily dealt with; the room was definitely very well cleaned otherwise.

Location, location, location

Room was elegant but badly designed, not thought through for comfort of guests.

Great location. Quirky elements and antiques. Historic building with lots of charm.

Unfortunately, despite the cool decor and theming. This hotel lacks warmth and comfort. By that, the simple touches that make it welcoming, comfortable and homely. No complementary water in rooms, limited supplies (as a couple we couldn't share the same beverage). 1x towel per person. Presumably, these are cost saving strategies but it really let down the guest experience. This hotel could be made to feel immersive with a touch of luxury.

Location, Heritage building

Overall, the room felt quite clean, but there was still some noticeable dust, especially around the bedside cabinet.

Location, Heritage building

The beds were too soft for our preference.

Unique decor, proximity to shops, restaurants and public transport, lolly bar

Nothing

The hotel building is beautiful and the room was lovely, really nice and clean. The bed was very comfortable. The hotel is 5minutes walk from central which makes it perfect for getting anywhere in the city.

It was extremely noisy on Saturday night, with hen parties in the building and the street next door - the sound proofing is pretty non existent. There was a glitch with their online system so my room service order never went through and I waited almost an hour for my food.

A tastefully appointed room particularly liked my desk top lamp. It was a repurposed Riley car rocker cover on an old screw jack. It met the standards for that type of hotel. Proximity to a great street packed with culinary choice.

Nothing of note

Location was Amazing and the hotel was great Very quiet

I like to have fresh air in the room and not able to open the windows was not the best but I do understand why

Location is very close to central station and lots of restaurants and cafes within walking distance. Very cool decor and clean room.

Can be expensive

Comfy beds, wonderful breakfast, excellent location

Hotel was beautiful Loved the free lollies and chocolate in the foyer. Close to central station

Parking was a little confusing to find

Great location, has a special feel and excellent staff

Complimentary sweets in atrium! Pleasant staff. Interesting building, and area, with industrial past Room was double storey, making it feel large and private. Excellent bathroom. Very clean. Big windows. We were lucky enough to get a room on the east side with copious morning sunlight streaming onto bed, which was really lovely. Location is excellent. Spice Alley, a pedestrian "eat street" next door on one side, shopping centre with cinema on the other. White Rabbit, an excellent contemporary Art Gallery, very close. Close to bus, light rail, train and metro.

Mattress felt worn out. Soft and uneven. Toilet has lack of privacy being mounted right off bedroom. May not bother some. Bath comfortable but takes a very long time to fill. Towels smaller than expected. Artworks in shared spaces not labeled.

Super cute interior, and size of room great.

The pool was really cold.

The concierge was very friendly upon checking in (a lady but I didn't catch her name). I liked the retro vibe and decor of the hotel. The book at the front where guests could write down why they were here was a cute touch. High ceiling was pleasing to the eye.

I booked the 'King Room - Connell'. I messaged the property asking if it's possible to be assigned a room with frosted glass for the bathroom (upon reading reviews about the fully open bathroom). Customer service replied, saying ALL Connell King Rooms were clear glass and that there were NO frosted glass bathrooms for the category I booked. Their replies were polite and quick, so no complaints there and I appreciated them asking if I'd like an accessible bathroom, which I declined. After checking in, I went to my room and saw a frosted glass bathroom, which was what I wanted anyway, so all good, but I was confused as customer service said otherwise. They clearly provided me with the wrong info. My suggestion is for all staff to brush up on their knowledge about each room to avoid confusion for guests. Also, I believe the first 2 photos under the category of 'King Room - Connell' were incorrectly placed :( This was the only reason I booked this room. It could be my misunderstanding, which I'd take responsibility for, but I was under the impression that when you click on a specific room, the photos shown would reflect the actual room you're booking. Please let me know if I misunderstood, otherwise maybe remove the two photos or move them to the correct category? The above are very specific to my situation with booking so other guests may not have the same issues. However, the following is something that needs to be addressed properly. I requested for late checkout the night before leaving and the male concierge said it was okay to check out at 11:45am instead of 11am. He literally said, 'This is all in the system for you.' The following day, I received a call from reception around 11am asking about checking out and I had a feeling my late checkout request wasn't actually processed. When I checked out at the lobby, the lady told me there is no record of me requesting late check out ...

Location to restaurants

Top: ambiance - pool - near nice restaurants

Tip: noice around hotel - noice in pub - reinstate restaurant - split level rooms are too small, rather make it one level with larger rooms

I do t think the heating was working. The thermostat was set to 25 and seemed to be running but it was quite cold in the room. Mini bar prices a too high to enjoy the offerings. Otherwise good.

location near Central station was important for me comfortable spacious room

Went up to the pool area but unable to order a drink and no information about how to

Loved that they included a bottle of bubbles as it was my birthday and love the unique design of the room. The bath in the middle of the room is such a cool feature! Heated pool, including pool towels available also really great!

Understand it is winter but the pool bar being open in the afternoon/evening would have been great, otherwise nothing to really complain about

Good bed. Room was clean. Hotel in great location.

The room lay out with a down stairs sitting room not to our liking.

Generally nice and clean

No room service Room didn’t have toothbrush

Location is great and the design is amazing

Noise proof is not really working. I can see they’ve tried but still, not a very quiet place. Which is understandable when it’s very close to the city and very close to a Main Street

Beautifully appointed.

Beds are waaaaaaaaayyyyyyy too soft and with the current trend of hotel sheets not actually doing their job (duvet cover? fitted sheet? correct size for the mattress?) it felt as though you were drowning in linen and making contact to the duvet and mattress. Kinda gross.

Friendly staff. Upgrade on arrival.

Convenient location, wonderful atmosphere, spacious comfortable bathroom, and nice rooftop.

No toilet brush provided. Mattress not firm - sinking into it each night.

Great location near Central station. Loved the style of the hotel. Room was quiet.

Had trouble finding Kensington St to pick up cark park fob, street looked too narrow to drive down.signage in car park was hard to read to find lower levels. Light switches in room were hard to figure out.

Friendly staff. Comfy bed!

Would be great to have a door between the bathroom and bedroom in the loft!

Old Clare is my favourite hotel in Sydney CBD, large rooms, with echoes of its industrial past, very comfy beds and furniture and well equipped bathrooms. Lighting arrangements are diverse and large windows open onto the streetscape. Close to transport at Central, shopping and movies at Central Park mall and great restaurants and cafes nearby. Staff are helpful and gracious and room service was prompt and generous. There is a rooftop bar and a pool for warmer weather. As a guest from Singapore remarked it is unique in contrast to many monochrome hotel chains.

NA

Bed was amazingggggg great location! Room was quirky staff were lovely and easy check in!

Couldn’t find parking and our internet in room wasn’t the best we couldn’t connect to chrome cast on tv

Excellent location, situated in an amazing funky restaurant precinct. I was upgraded to an incredible two-story room with a deep bath, huge bed and spotlessly clean. This hotel has a very unique and thoughtful decor, which was refreshing.

The 7am spin class was held on the floor above which could be heard clearly from the bedroom (I should have got up and joined them!).

Location within 15 minutes walk of CBD. Good decor. Quiet. Nice atmosphere.

We had a twin room which was nice. However the bathroom was entirely un glass you could see right through to the shower which wasn't great for a twin so no privacy if you are with a friend or relative. No water to drink other than in mini bar. No staff on reception at 9 am for checkout was odd.

Location and pool.

The bed consisted of two mattresses - mine was fine and my husband's was too soft.

What an amazing place. Exceptional location with spice alley JUST out the door, just a few minutes’ stroll to Central but somehow still tucked away and peaceful. The foyer lollies were a 10/10 hit for us, as well as the enormous and soft bed! Absolutely a new favourite for Sydney visits—next time we can’t forget our bathers!!!

No shade to the staff, who were helpful and accommodating when prompted, but at a place of this calibre I expect to be absolutely schmoozed with charisma at the desk. It’s the little things.