Vibe Hotel Sydney, Sydney

Pros

• The hotel's location puts you between the bustling CBD and the cool neighborhood of Surry Hills, with Oxford Street, Hyde Park, and Darling Harbour all within easy walking distance. 
• Rooms are spacious and modern, with some chic design touches like leather headboards, brass lamps, and goldenrod yellow sofas. 
• The rooftop terrace offers a small heated pool, sun loungers, and a gym.
• When you get hungry, the ground-floor Storehouse Sydney Central serves barista coffee and green juices in the mornings and bistro-style dining for lunch and dinner. 

Cons

• Don't expect to swim laps in the rooftop plunge pool, but despite the small size, it offers a refreshing break from the city heat.

Authenticity

Part of the homegrown Vibe Hotels portfolio, the Vibe Hotel Sydney fits right in with the brand's contemporary "lifestyle" aesthetic, which blends modern accommodations with common areas that connect the community and fellow travelers. In this case, that's the stylish ground-floor café, where guests and locals can grab a quick flat white or mingle over shared plates at the bar. Don't let the CBD address put you off if you're looking for something with a little more character: the hotel is just steps from the cool neighborhood of Surry Hills, home to the city's red-hot restaurant scene. 

Location

The hotel's Goulburn Street location puts you on the border of Sydney's CBD (Central Business District) and the cool inner suburb of Surry Hills, known for its independent boutiques and some of the city's best restaurants. You're just a block from Oxford Street and Hyde Park, Chinatown is an easy 10-minute stroll, and it's a 20-minute walk to Darling Harbour's many attractions. The Museum train station is also on your doorstep, which connects you to Circular Quay (where you can catch a ferry over to Manly or a train to the airport) in minutes. There's no parking on-site at the hotel, but a paid lot is directly across the street.

Rooms & Bathrooms

All of the hotel's almost 200 rooms are spacious and well-equipped, with modern, neutral decor accented with some stylish touches like plush leather headboards, marble and brass details, and signature pops of goldenrod yellow. Even the most basic options feature small seating areas in the form of a sofa or chaise, while larger suites include separate living rooms. Bathrooms are sleek and modern, with glossy white tiling and walk-in showers, and some include large tubs. There's also a selection of accessible rooms, and all floors are accessed by elevator. 

Amenities

The ground-floor Storehouse Sydney Central is the real hub of the hotel, with pale herringbone floors, dark navy walls, and a greenery-draped bar at its center. You can grab a leather banquette for a classic Aussie breakfast of barista coffee, green juice, and smashed avo toast, or graze on sharing plates and elevated bistro-style fare at the bar come evening. Zip up to the top floor, and you'll find a small but well-equipped gym, as well as an outdoor terrace with sun loungers and a heated plunge pool—too small for laps but perfect for cooling off after some city sightseeing. 

Family-Friendliness

Vibe Hotel Sydney welcomes families, though the property is more frequented by adults and business travelers. Children under 12 stay free if using existing bedding, and there are multiple room configurations to suit families, including a Family Room with a king and two twins, or the extra-spacious Family Master Suite, which adds separate sleeping and living areas.