Sydney Harbour Bed and Breakfast

Breakfast was a real highlight, with a generous help-yourself spread of fruit, eggs, potatoes, cereal, bagels and more. The shared bathrooms were roomy and very clean, and the rooms, though a little dated, were comfortable and tidy. Staff were accommodating, and the price gets you a great location. Just watch for the small, easy-to-miss sign, since the entrance sits above street level. There’s no lift, so expect some stairs. I had a fantastic stay and would recommend it if you want somewhere quiet and comfortable in The Rocks.

We only stayed two nights and put up with it, but I definitely wouldn’t return. The room was filthy, with thick dust under the furniture and mold and hair in the bathroom, despite the claim that rooms are cleaned daily. A double bed had been squeezed into the kitchen area, and the place was noisy with creaking floors, people talking and running water. Breakfast was disappointing too: the bacon and eggs tasted odd, the toast was okay but took ages, and getting to a table felt like navigating an obstacle course in the tiny room. The photos made the building and rooms look lovely, and some of the reviews left me wondering who wrote them. I love heritage buildings, and this one could be nice with a better layout, improved food and, above all, proper cleaning. The location is excellent, but that’s all it has going for it. Check the photos for yourself.

The security issues were worrying. A door from the room at the back opened outside and wouldn’t lock, and the gate leading out from the little seating area wouldn’t lock either. There was also a mini fridge back there that was broken and leaking. When I told the owners, they said it was supposed to do that. There was a bed in the kitchen, and the bathroom light didn’t work. Mum and I stayed here over a year ago. When we arrived, a major leak meant the owners were cleaning our room, so we left our luggage and went to the piers at Circular Quay. We eventually got settled, but it was disappointing. At breakfast the toaster barely worked, and we had to toast the bread about five times. The orange juice was the only decent thing, and even that was just drinkable. We were glad to leave for our cruise ship the next day. Other guests staying that day told us they’d had a horrible experience too, and they weren’t even from Australia. A very poor stay. Never again.

The entry is the blue door up Long Lane from Cumberland St, and it’s easy to walk past if you don’t watch for the sign. The house is a bit old, but our room was neat and clean, as was the shared bathroom. Breakfast was good too. What stood out most was the couple running the B&B. They were lovely and made us feel at home, with service that felt heartfelt rather than just business. Highly recommended.