I stayed here because it was just around the corner from the Australian Institute of Laser Eye Surgery where I had Lasik Surgery. You can get a discounted rate from the hotel if you are booked in to have Lasik Surgery and because of it's close proximity to the clinic it was a good choice on this occasion. However, it is in the commercial district of North Sydney so there is not much around in terms of restaurants, shopping or night life. There are a couple of restaurants within walking distance up the road and about a 10 minute walk to central North Sydney where there are a few shops and more choice for eating in the day but forget about it at night.
Although the price is quite reasonable (I paid $150 a night) the hotel is quite old and run down and not my cup of tea. The rooms were large enough and comfortable but the first room I stayed in with a crappy fat back TV which was too snowy to watch so they moved me to another room which had a small 20" LCD which is a bit silly in this day and age and given the price of TV's now. The bathroom is very average with no real space to put things so it's a little akward but one thing I did like was the old fashined shower head which had good water pressure (just like home). The rooms have a poorly stocked mini bar but it's nice to have a fridge in the room to use. Wireless internet is available for the usual exuberant amount that hotels charge. The staff were nice enough and there is no restaurant on premises but they offer a cheap continental breakfast which is very average and not recommended.
I wouldn't recommend staying here unless you were going to have Lasik surgery and needed a hotel nearby or had a business trip which required you to stay in this particular area of North Sydney.
- Mclaren Hotel Sydney
