If hipsters have a heaven, the Ace Hotel Sydney is surely it.
Perched between the CBD and Sydney’s coolest hipster neighbourhood, this hotel in a former brick factory is achingly cool, with retro decor, stylish staff and a tantalising secret hidden on the roof.
It’s five-star luxury at a surprisingly affordable price, and with top-class transport links and some of Australia’s trendiest spots just steps away, this might be the best city break hotel I’ve ever stayed in.
What’s the vibe? Paint us a picture
First, let me give you the lowdown on location. Right on the edge of Surry Hills, the Ace Hotel is the perfect base for first-time visitors to the Harbour City.
Metres from the door you’ve got your pick of some of Sydney’s top restaurants (Pellegrino 2000, where Taylor Swift ate on her Eras Tour, is a three-minute walk).
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An eight-minute stroll will take you to Central Station, where you can catch trains to Circular Quay for the Opera House and Harbour Bridge, or out to Bondi Junction and the beaches of the Eastern Suburbs.
Plus, you’re about a 20-minute taxi from the airport (make sure to Uber — in Sydney, they’re cheap).
Now for the hotel itself.
Taking cues from its former life as a brick factory, the building is the epitome of industrial chic: exposed concrete floors, soaring ceilings and elegant artwork juxtaposed with clunky beams.
The decor is 1970s retro, with warm hues of terracotta and mustard. The bar is at once modern and nostalgic; there are low-level brown leather sofas and bare lightbulbs overhead.
In a word, the vibe screams hipster.
It’s refreshing, then, that the staff are so friendly. Check-in is seamless, and from start to finish it’s service with a smile.
What about the facilities?
As is true of the surrounding neighbourhood, the Ace Hotel Sydney is all about food.
At the back of the foyer is Good Chemistry, a cafe by day and bar by night. Then there’s Loam, a tasty go-to for breakfast, lunch and dinner (try the poached eggs with avocado, simple but delicious).
But the crowning glory is Kiln, a fine dining restaurant hidden on the 18th-floor rooftop.
This vibey spot, which boasts a retractable roof, linen-draped walls and sleek mood lighting, is big news on Sydney’s food scene.
Here you’ll find one of the best (and from £52pp, one of the most affordable) tasting menus I’ve tried in years.
Headed up by acclaimed chef Beau Clugston, each dish is a brilliant blend of Scandi and Australian ingredients (think kooky, experimental flavours like green ants and paper bark).
Standouts include sticky coconut rice, a plate of tomato, strawberry and oyster, and kangaroo tartare (don’t knock it ’til you’ve tried it).
Otherwise, facilities are on the light side. There is a gym, but you won’t find much more than a few weights and a treadmill.
This is a hotel to use as a base and a top-class watering hole: you won’t be doing much lounging around here, there’s a whole city to see.
Ok, what are the rooms like?
With that in mind, most rooms at the Ace Hotel Sydney are bright, comfortable and straightforward.
The bathroom might raise an eyebrow: in standard rooms, you’re met with a sink as soon as you enter. The small toilet and rainfall shower are housed separately on either side of a vanity area.
It feels strange at first, but it’s fine once you get used to it. There are bathrobes, which is a nice touch.
In keeping with the vintage vibes, most have a record player and a small selection of vinyls. Mine were jazz, which I like, but you can always ask for alternatives at reception.
Overall the rooms do what they say on the tin. If you’re looking for something a bit fancier, it’s worth splashing out on a more generously sized suite.
These are true five-star, with marble bathrooms, deep sunken tubs, open terraces and guitars adorning the walls.
Metro checks in…
The team at Metro Travel have been all around the world this year, reviewing everything from all-inclusive resorts in Greece to five-star skyscraper hotels in Japan.
You can find our top picks here:
How much does it cost?
This is where it gets good. It’s nowhere near as expensive as you might think.
Booking.com is currently running an offer that makes standard double rooms just £113 a night.
Put into context, a night in the same kind of room at the ME London – a similarly slick, contemporary hotel – starts from £300.
Everything you need to know: at a glance
Time: Sydney is BST +9 hours.
Weather: The average daily maximum temperature in April is around 19°C.
Adaptors: UK to Australia travel adapter.
Currency: The local currency is the Australian Dollar. Almost everywhere accepts contactless card payment.
Visas: You do not need a visa to visit Australia with a UK passport. British citizens can stay visa-free for up to 90 days.
Check in/check out: 3pm and 12pm.
Disability access? Yes. The Ace Hotel Sydney has an accessible entrance and accessible rooms with roll-in showers. All rooms can be reached via lift.
Sustainable? There are refillable toiletry bottles in the bathroom.
Standout feature: The location, the staff and the retractable roof in Kiln rooftop restaurant.
Perfect for: Couples, creatives and young travellers who want to party.
Not right for: Young families. The lobby area has a DJ on weekends during summer and it can get loud.
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