Courthouse Hotel

Friendly staff, and this seems like a good spot for one person for one night. But my girlfriend and I booked two nights through Wotif for our anniversary, and I wouldn’t have chosen it if I’d known there were no private bathrooms or showers, or that we’d have to climb six floors because there’s no lift. I have mobility issues. The app’s photos are framed to make the bathrooms look like they’re inside the rooms, though they’re actually down the hallway. I’m really disappointed that we only stayed one night of the two we booked. I didn’t get $322 worth from the stay.

The rooms were comfortable enough, but there’s no air conditioning and the windows only open about a cup’s height, so it stays hot all the time. We knew we couldn’t handle the heat and asked to leave three days early. The staff were nice about refunding us, though they kept a cancellation fee, which was fair. There are also a lot of stairs to reach the rooms, so keep that in mind if you’re carrying lots of luggage or aren’t fit. The man at the bar today wasn’t much help either. I asked for an amaretto spritz, and he said he could make an Aperol spritz but they had no amaretto, then told me to look at the cocktail menu. I pointed out the amaretto sour on it, and he said, “Yes, we have Amaretto Sours.” If you don’t make cocktails that aren’t on the menu, just say so plainly.

Anna is the heart of The Courthouse Hotel on Oxford Street. She remembers faces, makes a perfect drink and keeps the bar feeling friendly, even on a busy night. She’s warm and genuine, with a lovely mix of grace and energy, and keeps conversation flowing while everything behind the bar stays lively. The place already has a great atmosphere, and Anna makes it even better. If you’re in Darlinghurst, stop by for a drink.

Good food at good prices. Pub classic meals are $15 all day.