Sydney, Australia

The Strand

Price per night from$249.74

Price information

If you haven’t entered any dates, the rate shown is provided directly by the hotel and represents the cheapest double room (inclusive of taxes and fees) available in the next 60 days.

Prices have been converted from the hotel’s local currency (AUD369.00), via openexchangerates.org, using today’s exchange rate.

Style

Gallic charm, on tap

Setting

Don’t worry Darlinghurst

Former local boozer the Strand has had an utterly Parisian refaire. Brown bar stools line the picture windows of the ground-floor Bistro, opening out to the brutalist yet beautiful neighbourhood of Darlinghurst; while tables atop the rooftop bar are happily laden with rock oysters, negronis and Australian wines. There’s plenty of nooks and crannies throughout – our favourites being the listening room (complete with records to spin) and library (with a curated selection of books to browse).

Smith Extra

Get this when you book through us:

A welcome cocktail in the intimate library. GoldSmiths will find a bottle of wine in their room, too

Facilities

Photos The Strand facilities

Need to know

Rooms

17, including seven suites.

Check–Out

11am. Earliest check-in, 2pm, but flexible, subject to availability.

More details

Rates include a 'grab-and-go' breakfast of home-made pastries, fresh juices and compote-topped granola pots.

Also

The only way up to the rooms is a spiral staircase, so we’d suggest nearby Smith stablemate Oxford House (which has a lift and roomy suites) for guests with mobility issues.

At the hotel

Guests-only library and co-working space, street-level bistro, rooftop bar and free WiFi. In rooms: LMT tea, GHD hairdryer and Grown Alchemist bath products. Umbrellas, adaptors, chargers, steamers and GHD straighteners are all available to borrow.

Our favourite rooms

A spiral staircase leads to 17 elegantly decorated chambres with dark-wood floorboards, oversized windows and rattan headboards. We love the De Luxe rooms for their unique features – some with a gorgeous bay window, others with a sun-drenched balcony.

Spa

The hotel partners with a local gym just around the corner – ask for a guest pass at reception to get a sweat on.

Packing tips

Chic linens and oversized blazers to dress up or down for the bistro and rooftop. Bring comfy flats, too, for ascending the heritage staircase and exploring the city.

Children

Cots are readily available and free of charge, just contact the hotel with plenty of advance notice.

Food and Drink

Photos The Strand food and drink

Top Table

A Crown Street-facing bar stool for prime people-watching, or cosy up in one of the intimate banquettes. Head up to the rooftop in the evening for sundowners and skyline views.

Dress Code

Threads thrifted from one of Darlinghurst’s iconic vintage stores paired with sleek sunnies and silks to match your Parisian surroundings.

Hotel restaurant

The Strand’s beautiful Bistro – an intimate space serving modern French cuisine with seasonal local produce  – is decked out with black and white tiling, dark wooden chairs and velvet banquettes. A spread of home-made pastries, granola pots and freshly squeezed juices are laid out every morning. For lunch or dinner, order Sydney rock oysters, steak frites, garlicky mussels or pumpkin and spiced yogurt salad. There’s duck served many ways, too: honey and sesame glazed wings, confit leg with kale, or even as a comforting duck pie. Pair with the extensive list of Australian and French wines, refined cocktails or a dram from the list of 50-odd whiskeys.

Hotel bar

‘What delightful [drinks]!’ declared Cruella. ‘I will buy them all.’ We’d advise the same strategy at the Strand’s rooftop bar – which, like the rest of the hotel, brings to mind Disney’s most stylish dog-napper thanks to its chic black-and-white decor. Favourites include a signature margarita (1800 Coconut, Del Maguey Vida and lime juice), sharp negroni and refreshing ginger mule. All are served with cut-above views of the city, plus sunshine galore thanks to the retractable roof. Weekends see DJ’s take to the decks, and there are plenty of bar snacks to try – we liked the corn and gruyère croquettes, elevated toasties and the rock oysters on ice.

Last orders

Breakfast is from 8am to 10am; lunch is noon until midnight Sunday to Thursday, extended to 3am on Friday and Saturday. Last orders are 10pm during the week, 11pm on weekends – after which you can order from a curated late-night menu.

Room service

Order tea and coffee without leaving your bed from 7am every morning. The Bistro menu is available for in-room dining between noon and 10pm.

Location

Photos The Strand location
Address
The Strand
99 William Street Darlinghurst
Sydney
2010
Australia

The Strand straddles William Street and Crown Street in edgy Darlinghurst, a short stroll from the city centre.

Planes

The hotel is within easy reach of Sydney airport. It’s a 15-minute drive, or a 25-minute journey by train.

Trains

Town Hall station is a 10-minute walk from the hotel.

Automobiles

Much of Sydney’s major sell-points are within walking distance or reachable by public transport.

Worth getting out of bed for

Darlinghurst’s central location means you can easily reach the Opera House and Harbour Bridge, the Royal Botanic Garden, the acclaimed Art Gallery of NSW, or the Rocks. Assembly Label’s Paddington store is a short walk away, or try the weekend markets at Bondi for more beachy finds. Speaking of, we love Bronte, Tamarama and Clovelly (best for snorkelling) in the Eastern Suburbs; or head to the Northern Beaches of Shelly and Manly – there’s a speedy public ferry from Circular Quay – with pit-stops at Rollers Bakehouse and Anita Gelato. Bondi beach and Bondi Icebergs Pool make for a sunshine-soaked day too, with an açaí bowl from Oakberry or loaded salad from Fish Bowl fuelling hours spent in the ocean. Come evening, make your way to Milk Beach – this calm cove faces the Harbour Bridge and is just the spot for a sundowner. Back at the Strand, take a self-guided art tour of sorts: Creative Director George Gorrow – co-founder of the denim label Ksubi – spent plenty of time curating the photography seen throughout the hotel. Works by Simon Lekius, Denniela Rache, Chris Searl and Dominic Rawl line the labyrinth hallways, chosen to showcase moments in Australian subcultures.

Local restaurants

For lunch, we love Oxford House’s art-adorned restaurant. The all-day menu features just-baked flatbreads with housemade dips, crispy-skin chicken with green harissa and salt-cod croquettes – but we really loved the roast cauliflower generously doused with herbs, tahini and merlot vinaigrette. Try the Lankan Filling Station for casual but quality fare – the focus is hoppers with an array of curries and sambols – or Mr Wong’s for Cantonese dumplings, fried rice and roast meat. Café Freda’s is a popular alfresco spot. Tuck into pickles, tostadas and fish-finger sandwiches, or try the pasta special, which changes weekly.

Local cafés

Try Stop Valve Espresso & Bar on Riley Street – the coffee is strong and the portions are generous (we loved the fried chicken with fresh pickles for lunch). Alternatively, head to hyper-friendly Ada’s Affair in Darlinghurst; minimalist Artificer Coffee on Bourke Street (remember to pick up a sweet treat from Bourke Street Bakery while you’re in the area); or the Rusty Rabbit for pancake stacks and avocado toasts.

Local bars

You’re a short walk through Paddinton’s pretty streets to Oxford House’s sun-soaked pool bar and its extensive wine, cocktail and mocktail lists. The best serve is undoubtedly the OH! Margarita – a mix of habanero-infused tequila, mezcal, lime and passionfruit, haloed by a volcano salt rim. Plus, you’ll be able to bar-hop to El Primo Sanchez one door down – a Forties-inspired tequila and cocktail bar. It’s been lovingly described by locals as ‘chaotic’ thanks to the high-energy bartenders (more often found atop the counter than behind), the free-flowing mezcal shots and the pint-sized karaoke room. Margaritas might be the main draw, but you’re best off lining your stomach with the street-style tacos, guacamole and chorizo con papas, too.

Reviews

Photos The Strand reviews

Anonymous review

Every hotel featured is visited personally by members of our team, given the Smith seal of approval, and then anonymously reviewed. As soon as our reviewers have returned from this oh-so-French hotel in Darlinghurst and unpacked their vintage finds, a full account of their boutique break will be with you. In the meantime, to whet your wanderlust, here's a quick peek inside the Strand in Sydney…

In the library, the gold cart glistens – well stocked with fine wines and Aperol. A record plays in the listening room next door. That’s how evenings begin at the Strand – a former pub turned 17-room hideaway in heritage-filled Darlinghurst. The decade-old building has been dusted off and spruced up – walls are adorned with local art and photography. Light-filled rooms are furnished with rattan beds, heavy curtains, plush sofas and waffle robes. And rarely is there so much enticing us out of bed without even needing to leave the building: a street-level bistro, sun-splashed rooftop bar, intimate library and record room are all options for whiling away the hours. You’re within walking distance of some of the best pockets of Sydney too – stroll to the sparkling harbour, characteristic Paddington or the pretty streets of Surry Hills.

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Price per night from $249.74