Notes
from Paul Costigan, AILA Executive Director
- based on years of staying in and around
the
Sydney
CBD. Written in response to several queries
about accommodation recommendations for the
conference.
The
Convention Centre is surrounded by accommodation
places
within Darling
Harbour, Pymont, Ultimo, East Darling Harbour
and in & around China Town
(Dixon Street), all within
easy walking distance. The
linked map shows just a few of them!
There
is also the full range of accommodation in
the streets in the CBD
of Sydney
as well as in walking or taxi distance
in other parts of the city - all still within
easy reach.
Accommodation
is readily available - being
the full range - 5-star to student accommodation.
Note:
we have not listed backpacker-student style
accommodations - but there is plentry,
if you get in early. We have to leave the
search for cheaper student-backpacker to you
as these
places are cheap and offer no conference
prices - over to you.
BUT
!!!!!!!
This
area of Sydney can be fully booked out -
and sometimes those great 'last minute' 'rates-to-go'
' internet deals' - just vanish in the months
leading up to major events in and around the
city.
So
- and I cannot stress this enough - your accommodation
should be booked now if you want to be able
to remain within easy walking distance
of the conference.
LIDO
have identified a few of the nearest places
to stay and have obtained conference rates
- see above. I highly recommend conference
delegates use these as it also adds to the
event to be able to meet up easily after hours...
A RECOMMENDATION
There
notes below are about the Oaks Goldsborough
Apartments. For those people who prefer and
need to stay
in
normal motel-hotel accommodation styles
- then please book one of the other four (Ibis,
Radisson, Novotel, Aaron) depending on your
personal needs and the status of the
motel that suits your needs.
The
Radisson
and...
for those who have asked 'where are the five
overseas delegates going to stay?' - we
have booked them into the Radisson
- a very short walk to Darling Harbour
- and around the corner from Dixon St (China
Town) . So
if you wish to stay in a four-five star motel
style apartment, this may be for
you. click
here for more on the radisson (New
search link - should work!)
>> Online
Booking (using LIDO booking services)
The
Oaks Goldsborough Apartments
However,
if you like the apartment style - therefore
no breakfast
rooms, room service for meals, no bar etc
- and wish to have a studio, one bedroom
or
two
bedroom (each with own bathroom), with
full kitchen, bathroom(s), washing machine
and
dryer and are happy to prepare own breakfast
(and any
other
meals), then I suggest you book into the
Oaks Goldsborough which is situated right
behind the convention centre - joined by a
walkway
(go to the the second floor and exit, turn
right & take the walk-way to the car-park,
pass the
monorail
station and then onto Darling harbour).
The
Goldsborough is within a huge old warehouse
with internal walkways - lots of old timber
and high skylights - the rooms are spacious,
and have most of what you would want for a
four
star
accommodation.
I have used them and intend to do so again.
..
>>> images from the inside <<<
Parking
is not cheap - they use the main Darling Harbour
carpark - usually $25 a day or for every
entry
- the Goldsborough has a deal for $16 a day
or every re-entry. Also while you can pull
up at the door on Pyrmont Street (only several
spaces), you have to go around the block
to
pack the car - which means someone may have
to stay with the luggage while you park.
And repeat the exercise in reverse when
you leave.
Food
for the room - the nearest supermarket
is around the corner, cnr of Allen and Harris
- and the
Japanese restaurants are not bad either. Then
there are cafes and restaurants close by and
within easily walking distance back into the
city, china town etc. and loads of cafes and
food places around Darling Harbour itself.
To find the supermarkert, exit by the 2nd floor,
turn left, down the internal lane way and left
up Allen to the corner with Harris St - it
is on the opposite side (cross the road).
I
would recommend the Oaks Goldsborough for anyone
sharing - as the two bedroom units that I have
seen
-
have the living areas on one floor and the
two bedrooms separated downstairs. With all
the one bedroom and two bedroom units, the
lounge
room is big enough for a small meeting - or
gathering. According to the management you
can request bed configurations to suit if you
book in time.
The
views are not great - last time I looked into
the traffic overpass and observed the local
traffic jams. Others look across to the back
of the
Darling Harbour Centre or, if you are high
enough, maybe into the city (not been that
lucky yet).
Phones
work and you can make internet connections
through the phone line. and they have guest
swimming pool off the foyer.
In
short - the more people stay in a place such
as the Goldsborough - the better the conference
atmosphere and networking!
And
I say again - if normal hotel/motel is your
usual style
and preference - then the Oaks Goldsborough
Apartments is not for you. Over to you to make
your own decisions....
.. >>> images
from the inside <<<
and
I am happy to pass on any other hints...
>> Online
Booking (using LIDO booking services)
