Mr & Mrs Smith

Medusa

Sydney, Australia

In the heart of Sydney's happening Darlinghurst district, luxury boutique hotel Medusa is both a tranquil chill-out zone and the ideal launch pad for getting the best from the city. With vibrant rooms set around a pastel-pretty courtyard and reflection pool, it's stylish and intimate, with in-the-know staff who'll ensure you're plugged into local hotspots on arrival.

Need to know

• Rooms 17, including 10 Deluxe, two Premium Deluxe and five Grand.
• Rates Double rooms from AU$204.00, excluding tax at 10 per cent.
  Prices have been converted from the hotel's local currency (AU$204), via XE.com, using today's exchange rate.
• More details Rates exclude breakfast.
• Facilities DVD/CD library, free passes to local gyms. In rooms: cable TV, CD/DVD players, minibar, Lindt chocolates, Aveda toiletries, kitchenette.
• Poolside The glam reflection pool in the lilac internal courtyard is a cool spot for lounging or gathering friends for drinks. It's a no-swim zone, though, so no divebombing.
• Check-out 10am. Room use after check-out up to 6pm is half the day rate, subject to availability. Earliest check-in, 2pm.
• Children More urban playground for grown-ups, than child-friendly: there are no pull-out beds or interconnecting rooms, and a maximum of two guests per room.
• Hotel closed Take note party people: there's a minimum three-night, full-rate stay at New Year's Eve and during spring's clubtastic Mardi Gras gay pride festivities, when Medusa only takes pre-paid bookings direct.
• Also Take note party people: there's a minimum three-night, full-rate stay at New Year's Eve and during spring's clubtastic Mardi Gras gay pride festivities, when Medusa only takes pre-paid bookings direct.

Food and drink at Medusa

• Hotel restaurant There's no restaurant at Medusa, but the friendly, sussed concierge at reception can order in anything you fancy from a selecton of rated local gourmet hotspots. Just ask to peruse the menus. Minibars come well stocked too, with a choice of beer, wine, soft drinks and water, as well as chocolate, Pringles and nuts.
• Dress code Sexy sartorial statement from Sydney labels Sass & Bide or Wheels & Dollbaby. Or tight vest and shorts for Mardi Gras.
• Top table Snaffle a yellow lounge chair poolside in the courtyard to sip your skinny latte over the Sydney Morning Herald.
• Room service Room service is limited as there's no bar or kitchen on site, but a concierge is on hand 24/7 who will call fab local restaurants with your requests until they close. Mexican Guzmen y Gomez will deliver till the wee hours.
• Hotel bar With the surrounding neighbourhood Darlinghurst alive with cool places to sink a cocktail in, Medusa doesn't try to compete. Hence there's no formal house bar, but the concierge can give you a list of edgy local wateringholes for you to sample in the area – and a small honesty bar operates for low-key drinks.

Medusa 267 Darlinghurst Road, Sydney, 2010