Fodor's Expert Review Arts Hotel Sydney

On a quiet stretch in the trendy shopping precinct of Paddington, this small, friendly, family-run hotel has simple accommodations at an outstanding price. Garden rooms overlook an Italianate central courtyard and pool; they are the largest and the most quiet. Triple-glazed windows mean rooms overlooking bustling Oxford Street aren't bombarded by traffic noise. Those on the third floor have harbor views. All rooms have Foxtel (cable TV), there is free Wi-Fi in the garden rooms and public areas, and guests can use bicycles (perhaps for a cycle around nearby Centennial Park) for free. Discounts are given to guests when dining at the nearby Rose, Shamrock and Thistle pub and bistro. The location, close to shops, restaurants, and nightlife, is a 15-minute walk from the city center.