You could stay in any city centre hotel in Sydney, and you could be anywhere in the world. Or you could stay at Simpsons of Potts Point and be in a place oozing charm and character, and have the best tips from Keith, one of the proprietors, on getting the best out of your stay. His knowledge of the City and it's surroundings is better than any guide book, by far. This Victorian heritage property has been lovingly restored and furnished, and is run with personal enthusiasm. Located in Potts Point, an area rather like Primrose Hill, only better, there are over a dozen privately owned restaurants within toddling distance, all really good. Best in our opinion is Angela's Sardine Room, opposite, and Brass, just around the corner. The Opium Den, Asian/Thai is a must also. Always busy, tasty stuff. Top tip - Oz is expensive, so the happy hour at the Fountain Bar overlooking the El Alemain Fountain is a bargain. BOGOFs from 3 to 8pm! Don't miss the residential architecture around and about, particularly Victoria Avenue, which just missed being torn down in the 1970's. Hope you enjoy it as much as we did.

We spent 3 days in Sydney at the end of a New Zealand/Australia cruise. This hotel was built as a residence in 1892 and is located just outside of Sydney in Pott's Point. The neighborhood reminded us of Lincoln Park in Chicago or Georgetown in DC-very hip with good restaurants and quaint homes and shops. Sydney has a great transportation system so it was just a short bus trip or a longer walk to get the the city centre. Keith mapped out recommendations for things to do and see which made our sightseeing very organized and easy. Our room was on the first floor-not much view but very pleasant with a good bed and great bath. Wi-fi was free and fast which was welcome after the poor internet access on the ship. We had the option of staying on the 2nd floor but didn't want to lug bags up the steps (or down when we left early in the morning). The continental breakfast was nicely done in the conservatory and got our day off to a good start. They even supplied us with a French Press coffee service to take to our room in the early morning. With Sydney being so congested, it was really nice to settle into this nice neighborhood for a change of pace after a day of sightseeing. Kudos for this wonderful locale in Sydney.

The hotel's website describes itself as "Simpsons of Potts Point - the first choice of luxury boutique hotels in Sydney".
This establishment is situated in an extremely attractive old manor in a district bestowed with interesting restaurants and shops outside the BDC that can be reached in a 20 minute walk or a 10 minute walk to the subway at King's Cross and short ride thereafter.
The Dormer room we selected was situated on the 2nd floor up long staircases. If you have weighty luggage as we did, the staff member present when we arrived in the early afternoon was physically unable to bring the 22 kg luggage up the stairs suggesting we leave them on the ground floor. Since we just arrived from a long overseas flight, we needed to have the luggage, so we carried them up ourselves.
The room was comfortable with a ceiling fan, wall A/C unit, flat screen TV and smallish bathroom facilities. Furnishing were quite dated and below the standard we would expect for a boutique hotel.
There is some overlap between the concept of a small boutique hotel and a bed and breakfast and I would tend to classify this establishment in the bed and breakfast category from my experiences travelling.
Breakfast was excellent and plentiful and the owners most cordial and helpful with their suggestions. The Simpson's overall environment was relaxing.
Hotel prices in Sydney are generally dear and this establishment's prices are thus aligned accordingly.

After decades of travel and hotel stays, the 'home away from home' alternative is the only acceptable solution. Simpsons is just that. Beautiful, quiet, understated, elegant, sort of like the best home cooked meal - tastes as wonderful as in the restaurant but is digested with much greater ease. Simpson's makes even a greater difference in Sydney where a large percentage of the hotel properties can be corporate and soulless. It made me feel like, for those hours spent in my room and in their deliciously fragrant drawing room, as if I wasn't really away.