The Old Clare Hotel

The Old Clare Hotel in Sydney, Australia, stands out as a Michelin Key Selected property, celebrated for its exquisite blend of heritage charm and modern luxury. It consistently receives high praise for its unique design, exceptional service, and vibrant location, making it a distinctive choice for discerning travelers.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The general consensus for The Old Clare Hotel is overwhelmingly positive, with an impressive overall rating of 9.5 on platforms like Agoda. Guests frequently describe it as "absolutely fantastic," a "designer establishment," and a "beautiful old building that has been refurbished to retain its charm but with a fresh look". Its selection as a Michelin Key property further underscores its reputation for exceptional quality and a memorable stay.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently laud The Old Clare Hotel for several key aspects:

• Design & Ambiance: The hotel is a masterful conversion of two heritage-listed buildings—The Clare Hotel pub and the Carlton & United Breweries Administration Building—seamlessly blending original features like Art Deco tiles, lofty ceilings, and timber with modern, industrial-chic design. This creates a "refined industrial cool" vibe that is both nostalgic and creative.
• Rooftop Pool & Bar: The stylish rooftop lap pool with its accompanying bar is a major draw, offering an urban oasis with city views and a relaxed atmosphere, often described as a "secret spot above the bustle below".
• Location: Its prime position in Chippendale, a vibrant and "cool" inner-city neighborhood, is frequently highlighted as excellent.
• Service: The staff's friendly, welcoming, and attentive nature is a recurring theme in positive reviews.

3. Room Quality

The 62-69 rooms and suites at The Old Clare Hotel are designed with obsessive attention to aesthetics, retaining interesting historical features while incorporating modern comforts. Rooms boast "brewery-high" ceilings and a sprawling, open layout, blending industrial heritage with design-forward details.

• Design: Each room is individually furnished with vintage designer furniture, lamps, curated books, and a clever mix of modern, vintage, and reclaimed accents. Some rooms, like the Abercrombie, feature a deep soaking tub dramatically positioned between the bedroom and double shower. The C.U.B. Business Suite, located in the former brewery boardroom, showcases original timber paneling, parquetry floors, and cornices.
• Comfort: Guests consistently praise the "comfy beds," often equipped with pillow-top mattresses and goose-down duvets, ensuring a restful sleep. Rooms are air-conditioned, soundproofed, and feature blackout curtains.
• Amenities: Standard amenities include flat-screen TVs, electric kettles, private bathrooms with hairdryers, bathrobes, and quality toiletries (e.g., Triumph & Disaster products). Free WiFi and free local calls are also provided.

4. Dining Experience

The Old Clare Hotel offers a diverse and "fresh, fun, never fussy" dining experience both within its walls and right on its doorstep.

• On-site Restaurants & Bars:
  • Longshore: A fine-dining restaurant specializing in seafood with a menu celebrating local, seasonal produce.
  • Clare Bar: A stylish, reimagined pub offering modern cocktails and "good pub grub" with an Art Deco touch, paying homage to its heritage.
  • TOCH Bar: Serves a delicious a-la-carte breakfast, noted as a refreshing change from typical buffet spreads.
  • Rooftop Pool Bar: A popular spot for drinks and light bites, perfectly suited for afternoons by the water.
• Breakfast: The à la carte breakfast at TOCH Bar is generally well-received, though some guests have found it to be standard fare, especially after experiencing the highs of Longshore.
• Kensington Street Precinct: Stepping outside the hotel, guests are immediately immersed in Kensington Street, one of Sydney's best dining precincts, offering hawker-style eateries at Spice Alley and various restaurants.

5. Service & Staff

The service at The Old Clare Hotel strikes a "perfect balance between casual and attentive". Guests frequently commend the staff for being:

• Friendly & Welcoming: The team is noted for being warm, welcoming, and happy to share stories of the building's past and offer insider tips on the neighborhood.
• Helpful & Accommodating: Staff are often described as helpful, offering upgrades when possible, and providing seamless assistance. Personalized touches, like handwritten notes recognizing guest preferences, have also been highlighted.
• Efficient: Check-in processes are generally efficient, and staff are responsive to guest needs.

6. Location & Accessibility

The Old Clare Hotel boasts a "fantastic," "prime," and "very centrally located" position in Chippendale.

• Neighborhood: Chippendale is recognized as one of Sydney's "coolest neighbourhoods," bustling with creative energy, art galleries (like White Rabbit Gallery), design studios, cafes, and restaurants. The hotel is directly situated along the re-developed Kensington Street precinct, a vibrant dining hub.
• Attractions: It's within walking distance of the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), Central Park Mall, Capitol Theatre, Chinatown, and the Powerhouse Museum. Darling Harbour is also a short distance away.
• Transport: The hotel offers excellent accessibility:
  • Central Station: Just a 500m to 5-minute walk from Central Station, providing extensive train and bus connections for local and regional NSW travel.
  • Light Rail: Central Light Rail Station is an 8-minute walk away.
  • Airport: Sydney Airport is a quick 20-minute drive or accessible via the Airport Link train to Central Station.
• Parking: Self-parking is available nearby for a fee ($55 per night), though spaces are limited.

7. Value & Pricing

The Old Clare Hotel is a 5-star luxury property, and its pricing reflects the unique experience it offers. While specific rates vary, rooms typically range from $151 to $200, though they can go up to $838 for larger suites. Compared to the average Sydney hotel room rate (which hovers between $101 and $150), The Old Clare provides an "unparalleled value" by investing in stylish interiors, exquisite dining options, and a vibrant atmosphere. Guests often feel it's "reasonably priced for Sydney and the location".

8. Common Complaints

While generally very highly rated, a few recurring criticisms have been noted:

• Open-plan Bathrooms: Some guests find the "open plan and translucent" bathroom designs, particularly those with glass doors, to be a notable lack of privacy, especially when traveling with others.
• Inconsistent Service/Cleanliness: A few reviews, particularly after the hotel became part of Ode Hotels, mentioned minor dips in staff attentiveness (e.g., forgotten drinks, coffee in takeaway cups) or perceived cleanliness issues in some areas.
• Noise: While generally quiet, some specific rooms might experience noise from garbage trucks in the early morning due to the urban setting.
• Limited Stealable Amenities: One reviewer jokingly mentioned "not enough stealable stuff – no toothpaste," indicating a lack of some smaller, complimentary items.

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