Information about The Observatory Hotel, Sydney City

The Observatory Hotel, which has won almost every prestigious Domestic and International award, offers guests the Highest Standards in accommodation, cuisine and service. In every detail the Hotel is designed to put guests at ease and to offer a relaxed, comfortable atmosphere for both business and pleasure. As a member of Orient-Express Hotels, The Observatory Hotel is the group's first in the Pacific Rim area.

Just minutes from the CBD and Walsh Bay, The Observatory Hotel is located in the historic heart of Sydney at Millers Point, The Rocks. Prior to European settlement, this area was home to the Eora Aboriginal people who had lived here for thousands of years. After the arrival of the first Europeans in 1788, the area grew from a campsite to a flourishing community and commercial area. Different waves of settlers arrived including political prisoners exiled after the Irish rebellion in 1790s. Along the waterfront extensive wharves and warehouses developed to support the growth in trade and commerce.

The Rocks also became Australias first Chinatown following an influx of Chinese settlers in mid 1860s but by the late 19th century The Rocks had become run down, overcrowded and a meeting place for criminals and prostitutes. The Government stepped in, buying up the whole area in a bid to clean it up. It demolished uninhabitable places and built new workers cottages in a bid to control the area. In the 1960s local residents, with the support of the Union movement, were successful in their bid to prevent high-rise development. Since then, The Rocks has been embraced as one of Australias most significant historic areas, loved by locals and visitors alike. Historic architecture dominates the peninsulas streetscape and the area still boasts many of its original buildings. Today, the renovated warehouses, sailors homes, and former dens of iniquity are home to a mix of Restaurants, curiosity Shops and Art Galleries.

The Observatory Hotel is superbly located near the Rocks and the city's Business Centre and it is the ideal base from which to work and explore exciting Sydney, Australia.

Distances:

• From Sydney Airport: 12 km: 30 minutes by car
• From the railway station: 1,5 km: 7 minutes walk
• From the Overseas Passenger Terminal: 1,5 km: 7 minutes walk
• From the ferry terminal: 2 km: 10 minutes walk

The Observatory Hotel: is renowned for its fine Cuisine, ranging from Elegant Dining in the Galileo Restaurant to the light menu in the Club like Globe Bar.

Galileo: Opulently decorated with Fortuny fabrics and original art, the Galileo offers an exciting  cuisine based upon a tradional French style with the delights of a tantalising Japanese influence, complemented by an extensive cellar featuring the best Australian and Italian wines.

The Globe: it offers a selection of contemporary and traditional Australian dishes, ideal for a light lunch or post theatre supper.

• Health and Leisure Club
• Indoor Swimming Pool
• VIP Services
• Tennis Court
• Limousine Services
• Spa

The Observatory Hotel offers 78 Deluxe Rooms, 9 Junior Suites, 12 Executive Suites and the Observatory Suite, with some Suites and Rooms interconnecting. Four ground-floor Rooms have been adapted for the convenience of Disabled guests and the second floor, which is completely Non-Smoking, features duvets in each Bedroom. Interconnecting Rooms and Suites are also available.

Room & Suites Types:

Deluxe Rooms: The Observatory Hotel's deluxe Rooms have the comfortable, cosy atmosphere of a home away from home.  Elegantly appointed with mahogany custom-made furniture, each Room features King, Queen or Twin Beds and is decorated with the utmost attention to detail. Rich tapestry curtains, set off by rope tasselled tiebacks, provide the perfect backdrop for the antique-style breakfast table and down-filled armchair, while Colonial-style sash windows open to circulate fresh air and provide charming views of Observatory Hill and historic Walsh Bay.

Junior Suites: Individual character, exceptional furnishings, spaciousness and elegant charm distinguish the Junior Suites. Each features wood-panelled walls adorned with etchings of Australian native birds and botanicals, and original sketches of Sydney at the turn of the century. Many have balconies with views of the inner Sydney Harbour of Walsh Bay, Darling Harbour or the city. Junior Suites also have a relaxing sitting area, with sofa and armchairs within the same Room, and include a facsimile machine with its own dedicated number.

Observatory Suite: The Hotel's most spectacular suite is intimate, luxurious and filled with objets d'art. The Bedroom features a magnificent four-poster bed with mahogany hand-carved front posts, as well as a spacious en suite Bathroom lined with wall-to-wall Pretorian marble. It also features a fully equipped Kitchen and guest Toilet, and has interconnecting doors to deluxe Rooms either side, if required. Furnished with elegant, custom-made furniture, the sitting Room's pale cream colour scheme is offset by the black and gold, oriental-style coffee table and armoire cabinet. The sofa and armchairs face a magnificent white marble, antique fireplace, highlighted by a classic oil painting of Mosman Bay. Original artworks and an antique, gilt-framed mirror cover the rich, fabric-lined walls and provide the perfect backdrop for the antique walnut writing desk and elegant mahogany dining table with Queen Anne chairs. The rich tasselled curtains at each window frame charming views of historic and heritage listed Observatory Hill.

Room Facilities:

• Disabled Services
• Non Smoking
• Luxurious Marble Bathroom
• Oversize Bath
• CD and Video Player
• Stereo Television Set with 24 hour International News Service
• Tea and Coffee-Making Facilities
• Mini Bar
• In-Room Safe
• Polished Cedar Wardrobe
• Slippers
• Umbrella
• Heated Towel Tacks
• Separate Bath and Shower
• Double Vanities
• Detachable Hairdryers
• Fax/Modem lines