“Comfort and style just outside the CBD”
Blue has been established inside a historic wharf building about 1 km from the Sydney CBD. It has a vast atrium where the main cargo work was done, with rooms fitted in along the sides where there were once offices and facilities. This has been done to the highest standard. The hotel has a breakfast cafe and room service only. For other meals there are 5 restaurants within the same building; a cheap Italian over the road, and an excellent gastro pub (Tilbury) Tuesday to Saturday. There are several routes to the CBD, the 311 bus goes past, and there are almost always numerous taxis outside. All walking routes involve a climb, but in Bourke St there is a lift and overbridge which takes you over the freeway and tollway to the Art Gallery - a pleasant stroll on a fine day.Walking any further South brings you into a rather seedy area with numerous homeless although we walked through day and night with no problems at all. Most rooms have great views, either out to the naval ships which share the bay, or across to the park and gardens on the other side. Hotel service was always excellent and professional, security is good, and facilities such as the pool also excellent. The entry layout (you do not pass through the foyer except to reception) and the absence of other common space gives a somewhat impersonal effect. While certainly a five star and highly recommended, this offers less than other Leading Hotels we have stayed at. Good value at the discounted Expedia price.
Area recommendations
We have been to Sydney many times. We like long walks and on this trip took the tram from Central Station to Lilyfield, then walked up to and along Darling St in Balmain on a sunny weekend day, lunched, shopped, and took the ferry back from Balmain East wharf to Circular Quay. A great day out amongst the locals. Don't do it the other way round - there is a hard steep slog up from the wharf!
We also went to Cottage Point by car in the Kurangai National Chase for lunch at the Inn there. Brilliant.
