Bay View in Rushcutters Bay

Hotel Description

So I stumbled across Bay View in Rushcutters Bay during one of those last-minute Sydney booking frenzies, and honestly? It turned out to be one of those pleasant surprises that makes you feel like you actually know what you’re doing when you travel. The place sits right on Bayswater Road, and while it’s not going to win any design awards, there’s something genuinely comfortable about it that grows on you.

What I love about this spot is how it sits in this perfect sweet spot between the chaos of Kings Cross (which is actually walking distance if you’re into that scene) and the more polished harbourside areas. Rushcutters Bay itself is one of those neighborhoods that feels properly Sydney without being touristy – you’ve got the bay right there with actual locals sailing their boats, decent coffee spots that aren’t trying too hard, and you can walk to Potts Point for dinner without needing to figure out the buses. The hotel itself has this lived-in quality that I mean in the best way possible. It’s a solid 3-star that knows exactly what it is – clean, reliable, with staff who’ve clearly been there a while and actually seem to like their jobs. The rooms are what you’d expect, nothing fancy but everything works, and the beds are honestly better than some places I’ve paid twice as much for.

You know what really sold me though? The whole area just feels real. In the morning, you’ll hear the joggers heading down to the water, and there’s this great little stretch along the bay where you can grab a coffee and watch the harbor without fighting crowds of tourists taking selfies. The 7.7 rating makes total sense – it’s not perfect, the WiFi can be a bit patchy, and some of the fixtures definitely remember the 90s, but it delivers on the stuff that actually matters. Plus, if you’re someone who likes to explore beyond the main attractions, you’re positioned perfectly to wander into Darlinghurst or even walk to the Royal Botanic Gardens on a nice day. I’ve stayed at flashier places in Sydney that left me feeling like I was in some generic international hotel bubble, but Bay View actually feels connected to the city around it. It’s the kind of place where you end up having a proper conversation with the person at the front desk about where to find the best Thai food in the area, and they actually know what they’re talking about.

Rooms

• Estimated price from: $193. Apartment with 1 large double bed for Max persons: 2

Reviews

• Good location. – Thomas from France – 30 March 2025 (8/10)

  no breakfast provided, only instant coffee a,tea bags and sugar.
  
  What could be improved: .despite spending 1 week in the apt and informing owner of malfunctioning fridge when we returner for second stay of several weeks the fridge was still malfunctioning. We thought the charge of 4.5% for payment with credit/debit card was excessive especially when paying around AU$ 5,000 bill as there is no possibility to make a cash payment online.

• Great location, great hosts – Nicole from South Africa – 9 December 2024 (10/10)

  The location is great, close to restaurants and a beautiful park close by.

• Good location, property suits individual not couple and someone who is ok with superficial cleanliness. – Joanne from Australia – 6 April 2025 (5/10)

  Location
  
  What could be improved: The property whilst neat was not clean. There were cockroaches in the bathroom. Throw Pillows on bed had stains and quilt was yellow stained. The water glasses had a milky residue, so required cleaning before use. The building had scheduled maintenance during our stay, which meant we were without running water for 2 hours. That was inconvenient!

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities