Dalziel Lodge

Dalziel Lodge St Leonards is a clean, good-value option for short stays or budget travellers in North Sydney. The rooms are compact but tidy and comfortable for the price. Shared showers are small, though spotless and well maintained. Staff were friendly and the location is easy.

On my first trip to Sydney, I felt lucky to find this place. It was a great choice. The neighbourhood was quiet and felt safe, with local spots nearby for a quick bite or snack, and public transport made it easy to reach everything Sydney had to offer. The cleanliness and value were hard to beat.

We booked through Booking.com and reserved two rooms 12 months ahead, specifically asking for adjoining rooms with a toilet between them because we were travelling with children. Instead, we were given rooms on completely different levels, with no connection between them. We moved to another hotel because of the disappointment and our needs, then asked for a refund since the accommodation didn’t match the advertised conditions. We weren’t given one. The description was very misleading. We thought we were booking a hotel with good service, but it turned out to be more of a “bed and make your own breakfast.” The rooms were small, with only about half a metre around the bed, so fitting our luggage would have been difficult. Although the listing promised a private toilet, the bathrooms were shared in the hallway for everyone to use. The rooms also smelled unpleasant. We checked the kitchen to see what breakfast would be like the next morning. It was very basic and didn’t meet our expectations, especially as it was advertised as included: just toast with spreads, cereal, coffee or tea, and a few other limited options.

The rooms were cosy and comfortable, and the shared areas stayed clean. The bathrooms were a bit cramped, and staff weren’t always around, but they responded on Booking.com. The location was great, close to the metro and shops. Thanks, I’d stay again! 🙂