Reviews of Altamont Hotel, Sydney, Australia: Great location and nice decor

Review posted 7/8/2008

view all

Pink Choice Member from , London
Great location and nice decor
The Altamont is a nice boutique hotel in central Sydney, consisting of 14 well decorated bedrooms, a reception area with a bar, and a terrace with views of Sydney skyline that guests can use until 23.00. Some guides describe it as what backpackers hostels should be like but do not let this simplistic definition fool you. Although there are many hostels nearby, the Altamont is a much nicer choice if you can afford a bit more money and want quieter surroundings.

The rooms are nice, contemporary and comfortable but could do with some small additions that would make them even nicer. The bathroom in our room was nicely done, but the water from the shower went everywhere, condensation was hard to get rid of after a shower making it and the room very damp, and the mirror above the sink could do with some light. I needed to shave but did not have enough light to do it. However, the furniture in the bedrooms and hallways is striking and the location of the hotel is excellent, in a busy area but not noisy in the bedrooms which are mostly located at the back of the building, some with a shared courtyard of pebbles and potted plants.

The Altamont is located on Darlinghurst Road, close to Kings Cross but also to the restaurants and bars in Darlinghurst, Oxford Street and Surry Hills. This is handy as the breakfast is very basic, and there are lots of nice places for breakfast nearby such as ‘Bar Coluzzi’ or ‘bills’. The breakfast is actually disappointing. This could be a much better venue if the breakfast was improved and I would not mind paying more for a better meal to start the day. It would be a nice touch to the mellow vocal jazz songs played in the morning.

The Altamont is also convenient for good restaurants within walking distance, and Kings Cross train station is a 5-minute walk away, connecting you to the suburbs or central areas of the city. You can also easily walk to the magnificent harbour and the botanic gardens, the Opera House or the CBD. It is definitely a place I would recommend for a more personal stay in Sydney and to avoid the higher prices of luxury chain hotels. If you have pets, they are also welcome at the hotel.

As a gay man, I also did not have any problems whatsoever in staying with my same-sex partner and being given a double bed, something that still sometimes raises a few eyebrows in some hotels or guest houses. Staff were very efficient and friendly and made us feel welcome all the time. Darlinghurst is a somewhat gay area of Sydney and locals and hotel guests are fine with it. The hotel even gives away complimentary copies Time Out Sydney and free gay magazines with listings of what is on in the city.

Month and year of stay:
April 2008

Length of stay:
4 nights

Recommend hotel for:
singles,couples,young,older gay

Describe the hotel:
Mixed gay/lesbian/straight

Would I stay at hotel again?
Possibly

My ratings on the following categories:

FIRST IMPRESSIONS Rate the reservation process, either on-line or by phone. Were the staff helpful and welcoming?	Good
CURB APPEAL AND LOCATION Was the property well located and externally attractive?	Exceptional
CHECK-IN Was it welcoming, informative and painless? Were the staff able to devote time to answer all your questions?	Exceptional
COMFORT AND CLEANLINESS Was the bed comfortable, and the room and bathroom well appointed and clean?	Good
STAFF Were the staff friendly, helpful and efficient?	Exceptional
DINING Did the quality of breakfast or other dining services meet your expectations?	Disappointing
DETAILS How were the little personal touches that make all the difference?	Acceptable but not special
VALUE FOR MONEY Was your stay appropriately priced for what you received?	Good

ESSENTIAL REVIEWS FOR GAY TRAVELERS

Review of Altamont Hotel

Share Your Experience