endlessvacation

We will be going to Sydney in JUly and are a family of 4. Children ages 18 and 13 which hotel would be nicer. We are currently booked at both in a 2 bedroom with either view of the harbour or of the city. Any infor appreciated.
Karen

margo_oz

Quay West is by far THE best location - in the Rocks (almost) and one block away from Circular Quay and all public transport (and you can nip through the 4 Seasons hotel, to avoid the longer walk - if you're brave!) And, on the higher floors, the views can be spectacular! I recall the apts were very nice, as well.

If the Medina Grand Sydney is the one at Kent/Bathurst streets - well - it's a trade off. Your best possible view will be of Darling Harbour -which is pretty punk (don't pay for a view from this one!). The only apt I saw there was just fine.

So - it's really down to what you want, what you expect, and what you're prepared to pay. How much time are you planning to spend in the apt? There should be a substantial price difference between, say, a 2-bdrm apt at either place. For tourist things, Quay West, (even without view), is better located.

Medina Grand is only a block or so away from the railway, and closer to shopping (and Darling Harbour, which is not really a harbour, if you must!)

You gets what you pays for. Good luck!

Alan

Both are enormously expensive, but Quay West with a Harbour View would walk away with all the honours as far as location is concerned. When either of these hotels talks about "harbour view" , would you please ask them to specify which harbour they are offering you; if the view is of Sydney Harbour, that's great. If they offer you a view of Darling Harbour (and I have a suspicion that this is what the Medina might be likely to look at), then say "no, thanks". There is a world of difference, and there are those among us (myself included)who think that Darling Harbour shouldn't be accorded the status of a harbour at all; it ought to be called "Darling Estuary", and, anyway, it is to the west of the hotels in the city, which means that your view would be away from the water and straight into the afternoon sun setting over the ugly western suburbs. Views facing north or east are the way to go.

One very good test to use when you're asking about a view: say, "Will I be able to see Fort Denison"?

If the answer is yes, then you won't go far wrong.

LN

Hi there

I stayed at Quay West on my first Sydney visit. It was actually on the 26th floor overlooking the Sydney Harbour and the Opera House. Nothing would describe it but "Spectacular"

On the second trip we stayed in a condo at Darling Harbor and I believe I saw the Medina Grand but did not stay there. The Darling Harbor area was fun to visit, shop, and have dinner at. We had no problem enjoying the area immensely.

But!! If I had to choose it would be "Quay West"!!!

tropo

Karen - I'm a bit impartial on this one, mainly because my son worked at Quay West Suites prior to him moving to Qld, so in my opinion, definitely go for Quay West!

BlueGum

We had a harbour bridge view suite at the Quay West Suites this past Christmas and it was fabulous!! Would stay there again in a heart beat.
The pool deck has fantastic views of the whole harbour and it is only one block from Circular Quay. Highly recommended.