I was really concerned when I have already booked me and two work mates in to this hotel for three nights while we were going to a conference. We stayed a Tuesday, Wednesday and thurdays night, the Wednesday was uni night but apart from some loud music, by 10:15pm it was lights out and super quiet. The Tuesday and Thursday the pub downstairs shut at 9:45 and it was all quiet too. My collected stayed facing the train line and said there was no noise from the crossing. I think it's hard to be amongst all the action and not have any negatives. Apparently some of the hotels on the water suffer from the really loud horns on the ships coming into port during the night. I would come back here. Suits a low fuss traveller or business person. Awesome coffee shop right around the corner. A gym close walk away. I think it was worth the price. It's also in the heart of beautiful art deco Newcastle.

My job takes me all over Australia but I haven't been to Newcastle for work for over five years. The Clarendon Hotel appeared ideally located 100m from where I would be working. Plus it advertised "complimentary" free wireless connection. Unfortunutely the hotel is located 60m from a train crossing in direct line of sight from my hotel room. The trains run until about 1am and will keep you awake with the crossing warning bells (similar to a fire alarm going off down the end of a long hallway), then the rumble of the train itself and then the obligatory train air horn warning as it crosses. When the trains stop the garbage trucks, street sweepers, rev head drivers and riders take over on Hunter St directly below your window. About 4.20am the trains start moving again to the peak hour start locations. It is constant - bells, rumbling and then air horns - this went from about 4.20am to about 5.15am before I fell asleep again with pillows over my head. The front glazing of the room is flimsy single glazing with thin curtain that stops nothing. The hotel attempted to charge me for accessing a complimentary that did not work (they were having trouble with it apparently). If you are a heavy sleeper and are planning a boozy night then the hotel, although expensive, would be okay. If you are travelling for business and need to work and get sleep then do not stay at this hotel. The hotel room was just okay but definitely not 4 star as described (2 - 3 star). This is my first posting on this site as I was so cranky with this hotel - it is the worst I have stayed in for the past ten years. Heavy sleeping beer guzzling train enthusiasts would enjoy. The outdoor parking is next to the pub and I would be concerned about parking my own car there overnight on a Friday or Saturday - very exposed. Most staff were pretty friendly. I even took a phone video about 4.40am in the morning of the passing trains, bells and air horns to share with my work mates. And the lift stinks.

No way this is four star... It takes more than a few distastefully trendy bits of furniture to make a real hotel. Way overpriced, gruby, noisy, butts on the balcony, poor reception and access to rooms. Parking a nightmare.

We stayed at the Clarendon and really enjoyed it. It was in a great location, right in the heart of Newcastle, great for the shops, theatre, harbour and beaches. The rooms were bigger than we expected and had great comfortable beds, the rooms and bathroom were stocked with everything we needed, useful when you realise you've left the all important bits and pieces at home. We got there late so had dinner in the restaurant and went back for breakfast and dinner the next day, too convenient not too plus the food was fantastic. The staff are pleasant, helpful and well trained. We've stayed in a few places in Newcastle however we know we'll be staying at The Clarendon from now on, a great combination of location, comfort and value for money.