Bayswater Boutique Lodge

The cleaning let the place down. You can hear the vacuum, but it seems like the space under the bed has been missed; the bathroom was dusty, the exhaust fan grimy, and the bedroom curtain hardware looked overdue for a clean. That's a shame, because the location is handy, the room is cozy, and the little kitchen helps. It also has a lot of useful gear, including a hair dryer, iron, AC, fan, mini fridge, and cutlery.

We'd happily come back. Donia was quick to reply and really helpful whenever we needed assistance, and checking ourselves in and out was easy. The room was spotless and nicely decorated, with the comforts of a pricey hotel but none of the noise or high cost. Parking right outside was a bonus, and restaurants and cafés are an easy walk away. The location was a pleasant surprise.

The room was small and tidy, and the location is good, but it felt like a two-star room at a four-star price. Calling it boutique seems generous. There’s no air conditioning or on-site parking, and nearby parking is scarce and expensive. Before we got the access codes, we had to pay an extra security deposit, with the check-in and parking details trickling in by text. There’s no reception or staff on site, and communication feels impersonal. Expensive property, little investment in service. I, for one, welcome our new robot overlords.

It was a pleasant week overall, with friendly, attentive staff and a clean shared bathroom that we rarely saw other guests using. The heat in Sydney was tough, though: there was no air conditioning, and the ceiling fan didn't do much. On our last night the fan broke. Maintenance came while we were out, but when we got back there'd been no update, so we had to message again and spent the night without a fan. Decent for the price, but maybe not the best choice in hot weather.