Astra Apartments Sydney

The apartment had relaxing views over leafy North Sydney, and the rooftop garden looked out towards the harbour. We stayed two weeks at The Monrose Apartments with Astra Apartments, and the metro made it easy to get into the CBD. We arrived on a late flight and were met at 11.15pm, shown around and given the keys. That personal welcome was impressive and much appreciated. The apartment had what we needed, and any questions were dealt with straight away. The listing made clear we'd need to bring our own supplies, which were easy to buy locally, and there was a basic starter pack. A small carton of UHT milk would have helped for drinks, since the local shops were closed when we arrived. We'd thoroughly recommend Astra Apartments and would use them again for future Sydney trips.

The location is good, right by the business district, but I don't think corporate bookings should keep going to these people. They're hostile to tenants, so if you care about who you're booking through, look elsewhere. They're inhumane and greedy. If you arrive before the 2PM check-in, expect to sit outside on a street bench with all your bags while people walk by. They'll see you there and won't approach until 2:00 PM sharp. You're also likely to spend about an hour searching with your bags, because there's no physical Astra Apartments location. I dread to think what would happen if I left the keys in the room and the door locked itself. There's almost no servicing, so expect to buy your own toilet paper and dishwasher detergent. It's extremely noisy too.

We had a flat on the 10th floor of the Trafalgar building at 361 Kent St. The location was good and WiFi was included and worked well. But the room was so noisy you need earplugs to sleep. Better windows or glazing in the otherwise useless balcony could help block the sound. The sheets didn't fit the bed, which made it uncomfortable, so don't stay here if getting sleep matters. The shower swung from cold to painfully hot without warning, something a thermostatic valve could fix. Basics were missing, including soap and enough toilet paper, and there weren't enough towels. I asked for a hand towel, but it was taken away at the first cleaning and the request was forgotten. There's a bath but no plug, so you can't use it. For a “serviced” apartment, it only gets a quick clean once a week. The second of the two cleans during our stay happened the day before we left, so it was mostly a waste. It smelled very musty and damp when we arrived, though that improved during the stay. Maybe the flat we got was the bottom of the barrel, used only when all the others are full.

Be careful with Astra Apartments. The apartment may not actually be owned by the business registered under that name. It may instead be leased from an apartment owner under a standard NSW Residential Tenancy Agreement and then sublet to people booking short stays. That could breach the original NSW Residential Tenancy Agreement and the property's By-Laws. Ask questions and be aware.