My husband and I recently escaped the chaos of family life for a romantic night in the city.
What better place to do it than The Old Clare Hotel, one of Sydney’s best boutique hotels near Central Station. Set in a beautifully restored heritage building in Chippendale, The Old Clare is the kind of place that oozes character.
With exposed brick, designer touches, and a rooftop bar and pool, it’s the perfect spot for couples looking for a stylish stay in Sydney that’s close to everything but still feels like a secret hideaway.
Here’s my review of The Old Clare, and a few reasons why I think it’s one of the best hotels in Sydney for a romantic city stay. This review is completely my own honest opinion, and I did not receive any payment or subsidy for my stay—it was all paid for on my own dime.
Quick summary:
For couples looking for a stylish and convenient Sydney stay, The Old Clare Hotel is a stunning heritage boutique hotel near Central Station. Located in Chippendale, it combines historic character with modern luxury — ideal for a romantic weekend getaway or staycation in the city.
Book your stay:
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🛏️ The Old Clare Hotel on Expedia
🛏️ The Old Clare Hotel on booking.com
🛏️ The Old Clare Hotel on Agoda
Getting there from Sydney Airport
One of the biggest perks of staying at The Old Clare Hotel is how easy it is to reach from Sydney Airport. From either the domestic or international terminals, you can take the Airport Link train line directly to Central Station (about 13 minutes). From there, it’s an easy 5-10 minute walk along Broadway to the hotel.
A taxi or rideshare from the airport is another good option, especially if you’re sharing between 2+ people. It usually takes 20–25 minutes depending on traffic and should cost around $35–$45 AUD.
The location
The location of this hotel is so good: just a 5-minute walk to Railway Square for the bus terminal or Central Station, which connects to every major Sydney line. It’s ideal for travellers arriving from the airport or planning day trips from Sydney by train.
I’ve always loved this area, and you’ll quickly see why this neighbourhood is one of the best places to stay in Sydney. Back in my university days at UTS, I spent loads of time around Haymarket and Chippendale. It’s one of Sydney’s most vibrant inner-city districts — full of energy, culture, and fantastic food — yet it feels more local and authentic than the tourist-heavy areas of Circular Quay or Darling Harbour.
Check-in process & lobby
The check-in experience at The Old Clare Hotel was very smooth. The reception desk is tucked behind the front bar area of the old pub. The staff greeted us warmly and had us heading upstairs within minutes. If you’re arriving late, no need to worry — the front desk is staffed 24/7, which is perfect for guests landing on late-night flights or checking in after a night out.
The lobby is adorned with a variety of quirky decor, which was one of my favourite things about the hotel — it featured a fully carpeted kangaroo standing above an old cellar, an old wooden cabinet filled with antiques, and a display table topped with jars of lollies to enjoy while you fill in the guest book.
Inside the lobby area, there are also bicycles that guests can hire (for free!) to explore the area, a book library for some extra reading material, and even a record library that you can use if you’re lucky enough to be staying in one of the room types with a record player (as we did in the Abercrombie room).
Heritage charm meets modern luxury
Before its transformation, The Old Clare was a rather dingy old pub that had seen better days. Today, it’s one of the best heritage hotels in Sydney. The front bar still retains the spirit of the old pub, while the rest of the property has been reimagined into a charming hotel with an industrial, mid-century vibe.
I’m a total sucker for a heritage conversion, and this one really impressed me. The recent renovation managed to modernise the interior without losing the building’s original charm. The exposed brick, polished concrete, and warm lighting creates a perfect balance of old-meets-new.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I always go for hotels that have positive guest ratings, and The Old Clare Hotel was one of the top Sydney hotels on Expedia with an average 9.2 guest review score.
The Abercrombie Room: a show-stopping stay
My husband had one specific request — a freestanding bathtub — so we splurged on the Abercrombie Room. Walking in, we were blown away. It was huge, elegant, and felt like a modern studio apartment wrapped in vintage soul.
Each room in this boutique Sydney hotel is unique, thanks to its heritage layout, so no two stays are the same. The lounge area in our room was cleverly divided from the bed space with a tall wardrobe, and the décor felt refined without being overdone.
The bathtub did not disappoint. We spent the latter half of the evening soaking after our dinner out in Newtown. The open-plan bathroom design did make things a little less private, and the floor tiles were very slippery when wet — something to watch out for.
The spacious King-sized bed was extremely comfortable, and we both slept very well. For couples, this room is easily one of the best romantic hotel rooms in Sydney.
🔎 If you’re looking for something a little more budget-friendly, I’d suggest choosing a smaller room type when booking your stay at The Old Clare (such as the Kent or Connell rooms), as they are more compact than the Abercrombie rooms.
Rooftop cocktails and city views
Before dinner, we headed to The Rooftop Bar, one of the most atmospheric rooftop bars in Sydney. The lighting was low and moody, with flickering fire towers and sparkling skyline views. Service was a tad slow, but the cocktails were fantastic (I went for a Negroni, my go-to classic, while my husband chose a Whiskey Sour).
Right beside the bar is an outdoor rooftop pool, open exclusively to hotel guests. At night, it looked stunning under the city lights. We didn’t swim (it was nearly winter!) but I could easily imagine a morning dip here during the summer months. It’s a unique feature for a Sydney boutique hotel, and it definitely adds to the appeal for couples wanting a luxury touch.
Other hotel facilities
Apparently the hotel has a gym for guests as well, though I’m honestly not the type to use a gym at all, let alone while travelling, so I didn’t see it or use it.
Parking is available nearby but it is NOT cheap at $55 AUD per night, so unless having a car in Sydney is an absolute necessity for you, I would not recommend it. Getting around the city centre is best done by train, tram or bus, and you can easily book guided tours for day trips out of the city.
Dinner, breakfast, and nearby cafés
For dinner, you can order a casual pub meal at the Clare Bar on the street level of the hotel, or step into Spice Alley, just around the corner, for an open-air lane of Asian street-food stalls.
We decided against booking the breakfast rate as it was a bit on the pricey side. I did do a walk through of the hotel’s on-site restaurant in the morning and it did look lovely, so if you want to splurge, it might be a nice experience. Alternatively, you can order à la carte from the public menu.
🥐 You can choose whether to include breakfast in your room rate when making your hotel booking online.
One of the perks of staying in this area is that there’s an endless supply of great coffee spots, cafés and restaurants within easy walking distance, so we ventured out to a nearby café in Chippendale, landing at Brews Brothers Coffee & Tea Co. for lattes and pastries.
Final thoughts
Our stay at The Old Clare Hotel Sydney was everything that we’d hoped for in a romantic getaway: a stylish and comfortable room in a boutique hotel perfectly positioned for eating out and exploring the city. Even though we stayed for just one night, I felt that this heritage-chic accommodation hit all the right notes — elegance, history, and convenience rolled into one.
It’s absolutely the best boutique hotel near Central Station Sydney for couples who want to be close to the city’s best sights and attractions, but retreat to a peaceful, design-forward space at night.
Why stay at The Old Clare Hotel Sydney
- 💕 Perfect for couples and romantic getaways
- 🏛️ Heritage-style boutique hotel with modern design
- 🚆 10-minute walk to Central Station — ideal for sightseeing or day trips
- 🍜 Surrounded by top food spots in Chippendale and Haymarket
- 🍸 Rooftop bar and plunge pool with city views
- 🛁 Spacious rooms with freestanding bathtubs available
Book your stay at The Old Clare Hotel Sydney
👉 Check prices and availability on Expedia
👉 Check prices and availability on booking.com
👉 Check prices and availability on Agoda
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