The Old Clare Hotel, Sydney

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.

I love this property! The position, the decor, the proximity to central station and Newtown. I was upgraded to a large 1 bedroom apartment which was awesome. Spice lane loaded with cool little nook restaurants and bar in house and at the doorstep. Great staff, and the most luxurious dressing gowns, I just had to buy one to take home with me.

Friendly staff. Upgrade on arrival.

So I walk into The Old Clare and immediately - dopamine. Just a hit. The kind of hit you get when someone not only read the brief, but also went, “What if… we didn’t finish the brief… on purpose?” And it works. It’s like the building is mid-thought. And I’m into it. Like, heavily. There’s this intentional incompleteness to the whole place - and that’s not me being shady, that’s me being in love. Big-brain move. Wise. WISE. Like, “finish it but don’t finish it,” K? They left enough raw edges to whisper “heritage” but polished just enough to say “I know what a Henry vacuum is.” (I believe I spotted a green one.) Also - and I can’t stress this enough - the corners in our room? Protected. Armored. Anti-clumsy. As someone whose spatial awareness is more of a suggestion than a skillset? I feel seen. No chipped paint. No mystery smudges from whoever walked into that wall at 2 a.m. before me. Smart. Sensory-wise? 4 out of 5. Which is high! That’s a Rose-4. Which is like a regular 5. I didn’t bring my decibel meter but my nervous system did not file a complaint - and that’s rare. Usually it’s filing something. And let’s talk about the in room guest book. Whoever made that? Neurospicy, through and through. (If you don’t know, now you know & you’re brilliant) I felt it. I knew. When I read “Dial 9 for Ice, ice, baby” - I had to sit down. (I was already sitting down, but I sank further into the plush, nest of a bed) I laughed, I pointed at the page, I said to my partner, “This person gets me.” You, guest book person? Never stop. You are the Alanis Morrissette of hotel in-room literature. Don't you think? It’s defiantly not ten thousand spoons when all you needed was a knife. This is a knife. Crocodile Dundee, would agree. Anyway - I love it here. I’m not saying I’m moving in, but I did google long-stay rates. So.

Mirror lighting was definitely not the decision of anyone who wears makeup (the little magnifying mirrors are a waste of money) & no full length mirror in the room - questionable. Just pop one inside the wardrobe doors! We didn’t ask if there was an option - but if there was an option to have a firmer bed, we would have requested it! The cloud like bed, was SUPER excellent for relaxing & so satisfying to sink into, but, I need a firm bed so my back doesn’t make me feel 90 years old.

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.

Beautiful restoration

The parking was a little tricky, juggling the key to gain access, is shared by all guests. Had to wait multiple times.

Friendly staff. Comfy bed!

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

The vibe, the lollies, the rooms were amazing.

The parking.

The vibes is gorgeous, the location made it so easy to get out and about. Plenty to do around the area and everything you need right out the door.

The hotel has parking available (at a cost which is expected) however they only have two parking access keys shared between anyone using the parking facilities meaning you had to get the key and return it to reception anytime you entered or exited the car park and at times had to wait for other people to return the key . This was the only let down at the hotel, everything else hit the mark

Beautifully renovated old hotel, fun pub downstairs and cool rooftop pool and bar. Close proximity to central station and good restaurants. Would stay again.

Beautiful spacious room, extra large comfortable bed with a selection of Asian cuisine in spice alley right behind you.

It is on the outskirts of the CBD not in the CBD but still very walkable distance

Loved the design and how they combined other original decor into the space. The high ceilings in the room the bathroom the oldnessof the building but still being clean and comfortable and the rooftop pool was so nice.

Not much I didn’t like, we went to go to the restaurant on Sunday but it was closed which was a shame.

The modern/retro Reno’s

All good

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

Everything. This is my absolute favourite hotel in the world!

Everything was fabulous

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.

Quiet, great location, good facilities, excellent staff. Longshore restaurant was excellent and had exceptional service.

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.

Spacious duplex. Nice pool. Great location

Very dated. Rooms need a revamp and a deep clean

Really stylish, comfy hotel in the heart of Sydney. Large comfortable beds, bathrobes and very clean modern furnishings make it a really cosy stay. The rooftop bar and pool is nice. There are some nice bars and restaurants close by in Chippendale and it’s also very convenient for the CBD and other more buzzing neighbourhoods. Would definitely stay here again.

The pool is not the best if you’re looking for a relaxing day lounging in the sun, as there weren’t many sun lounges by the pool and its right next to the rooftop bar so a bit exposed.

Spice alley next door is amazing. The finer dining options right under your doorstep is top tier and delicious. Beds were very comfortable. Botique style interior was a nice touch. Small touches all around.

Car parking is a bit tedious with dropping off garage keys every use but given central station is stone throw away it's a very small compromise.

The styling of the hotel and the friendly staff

The food available could be of a better standard

The room was spacious and beautifully presented. The rooftop bar and pool was excellent. Loved the design, objects, and photos showing the history of the site.

The cafe that did breakfast had friendly staff, however it was very expensive and below Sydney standards for food and coffee.

Location, good size room, good facilities

Bed was very soft, old operating theater equipment in reception area was very creepy when checking in late at night with none one around and low lighting!

I loved the facilities and location

The block out blinds in my bathroom did not work making it difficult to sleep with the light coming into the room

We were just very happy about the location of the hotel and what was around it and the amenities. Breakfast in the morning was wonderful. Couldn’t have been happier.

I really can’t think of anything that I did not like about this hotel

loved the style, vibe and details of the room - highly recommend!!

The towels were disappointing.

Nice apholstery, old charm

Not really friendly staff at front desk. Felt very pricey for average service. It was off-peak season so it would have been easy tø provide good service.

Great location, friendly staff.

Loud clunking noise which periodically woke me up regularly during stay. Arrived on a cold day and room was freezing when I entered. Roof bar was shut over Easter and there were no towels at the pool. Wanted to love this hotel. It was OK.

Great location, spacious rooms, modern vibes in a beautiful old building. Beautiful big windows with natural light and stylish fixtures. Loved the lolly bar at the entrance of the hotel.

The breakfast room service, was super pricey. We also were unable to order food 5 minutes before the kitchen closed in the evening.

Great location, generous sized rooms and a big comfy bed!

The only thing I have to say is that I couldn’t pull the duvet up high enough as it seemed like it was nailed under the bed haha

Love the location and the hotel has been beautifully & thoughfully renovated over the years. It’s really quite special!

No comment

Everything! This is one of my favourite hotels ever, always so beautiful - the rooms are stunning, interesting. Great location at the centre of everything in Sydney. Lovely helpful staff, nice facilities and delicious food on site.

Nothing.

Perfect location to explore the city. Delicious breakfast. Comfortable bed.

Great location. Super helpful and friendly staff. Beautiful building. My favourite hotel in Australia if not the world.

Nothing. Perfect stay

Quirky, welcoming, exceptional

Temporary parking to get car park access a bit difficult to find.

Proximity to great nightlife, restaurants and public transport, the sleek fit out & interiors

Room was on the ground floor so could hear a bit of backstreet pedestrian & traffic noise

heritage combined with modern bathroom!

Unique, quiet, beautiful rooms, fabulous rooftop bar and pool, brilliant location, laid back but with class

Rooftop bar line up for drinks. QR codes on tables would fix this

Very clean and comfortable. Good breakfasts

Could be noisy at night. Especially our last night (Thursday) loud music and shouting outside our windows until 1.30am. Think weekends would be noisy

An old building fully renovated - beautifully designed. This hotel was excellent: super comfortable and in an excellent location, close to central station, restaurants and cafes just around the corner.

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Chippendale location, not the best if you are there to visit the city. Also, not much around. The hotel is nice with a very nice room…HOWEVER, booked a room with a king bed..but it is anything but that. They stick two single mattresses together and one of them clearly needs to be changed as it curves in. My back has never hurted this much and I’ve been staying in hotels for the last +6months! Also, staff is nice but a bit cold. And I had to haul my luggage myself on a trolley with a wheel that didn’t work.

Spacious room on the quieter side of the building. Lovely repurposed lights and interiors. Staff are friendly and helpful. Close to Central station.

Pillow was a bit hard and there was no bench/storage space in the bathroom, as it was set up for disability access.

Great hotel… practically a destination in itself!

Nothing… loved it!

Breakfast was very nice (a la carte and good). Bed was enormous and comfortable. Great location and lots of great dining. Loved your bar (ground floor one) and the live music. A fun hotel to stay at (and comfortable).

We had a disabled bathroom (but have stayed before and liked the standard bathrooms a lot).