Bright Spacious Studio

Hotel Description

Look, I’ll be honest – when I first walked up to 35 Sophia Street, I wasn’t expecting much from what looked like a pretty standard Sydney apartment building. But you know what? This little studio actually surprised me in all the right ways.

The space itself is exactly what it says on the tin – bright and spacious, though I mean “spacious” in Sydney studio terms, so manage your expectations accordingly. What really works here is how thoughtfully everything’s laid out. The windows face the right direction to catch that gorgeous morning light (trust me, you’ll want to wake up early just to see it), and there’s this sense that whoever set this place up actually lives in small spaces themselves. The bed doesn’t dominate the room, there’s proper storage that isn’t just an afterthought, and – this is the kind of detail that matters when you’re actually staying somewhere – the WiFi is solid throughout. I spent a couple of mornings working from the little table by the window, and honestly, it beat most hotel business centers I’ve used.

What I really love about this location is that you’re right in the thick of things without feeling like you’re camping in the middle of Times Square. Sophia Street is one of those lovely residential pockets that feels properly Sydney – you’ll hear the occasional tram rumbling by, but it’s not going to keep you up at night. The walk to Central Station is maybe ten minutes if you’re not rushing, and you’re close enough to Surry Hills that you can actually explore some of the better coffee spots without it being a whole expedition. There’s this little Vietnamese place around the corner that I stumbled onto – the kind of spot you’d never find unless you were staying in the neighborhood. The building itself is quiet (well, as quiet as any Sydney apartment building gets), and check-in was refreshingly straightforward. None of that hotel lobby performance – just clear instructions and everything worked exactly as described.

I stayed here during what I’d call shoulder season – not peak summer tourist madness, but busy enough – and it felt like I’d found this perfect little pocket of the city. The kind of place where you can spread out your stuff, make a proper cup of coffee in the morning, and actually feel like you’re living in Sydney rather than just visiting it. The 9.2 rating makes sense once you’re there – it’s not trying to be fancy, it’s just really good at being exactly what it is. If you’re the type who’d rather have a genuine local experience than marble countertops and a concierge, this is your spot.

Rooms

• Estimated price from: $116. One-Bedroom Apartment with 1 large double bed for Max persons: 2

Reviews

• Gem in heart of Surry hills – Anita from Australia – 5 April 2025 (10/10)

  Heart of Surry hills – wonderful location ! Plenty of on street parking and easy walk to light rail for access to all parts of the city . Beautiful, clean, bright comfortable apartment in gorgeous old townhouse . Great value for money . Thank you very much !!

• Superb – Felicity from Australia – 16 August 2024 (9/10)

  Great location and perfect size for my needs.

• Perfect – Trina from Australia – 9 April 2025 (10/10)

• Very good – Ruby from Hong Kong – 5 January 2025 (8/10)

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities