The hotel: The Rydges World Square, Sydney, Australia.
The location: Centrally situated in the heart of Sydney in the World Square precinct, close to Darling Harbour and the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre.
The check-in: Quick and easy after a 20-minute drive from the airport. Lift access is by guestroom key card.
the room: The hotel has 445 good-sized rooms and suites all with big beds and seating area plus a spacious ensuite bathroom. Rooms include a widescreen TV, mini-bar, tea and coffee-making facilities and safe. There's also an interenet connection.
The business: There are two floors dedicated to executive rooms and suites which offer additional services and facilities for business users. These include access to wireless broadband, over-sized business desk/workstation, complimentary local calls and access to an exclusive Executive Lounge offering free continental breakfast, evening canapés, refreshments and newspapers. There's also a Business Centre with PCs and secretarial support services and meetings facilities for 15 to 300 people.
The restaurant: Set on the lobby level, the Avery Restaurant is light and airy and serves a good buffet or made-to-order breakfast. In the evenings the menu features contemporary Australian cuisine.
The facilities: The hotel’s greatest asset is its position. Centrally located and with a link directly on to the city’s monorail system, the property is also easy walking distance from Darling Harbour where the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre is located. There is a fitness centre within the hotel and a link through to a small retail plaza. Guest laundry servies and valet parking facilities are also available on site.
The check out: Couldn’t be smoother, and followed-up by quickly-available taxi via the efficient concierge team.
The verdict: This is a good quality hotel at the heart of the city with very easy access to all the key Sydney sights and business areas. A real bonus is having the monorail stop right on the hotel’s doorstep.
The details: 389 Pitt Street, Sydney, Australia. Rates start from around £80 a night. Tel: +61 2 8268 1888; or for more information see: www.rydges.com/worldsquare Julie Baxter
