Chelsea Chic Paddington

Hotel Description

You know what? I wasn’t expecting much when I first pulled up to Chelsea Chic Paddington – honestly, the name sounds a bit try-hard – but this place actually surprised me. It’s tucked away in Darlinghurst, which is perfect if you want to be close to the action without dealing with the tourist chaos of Circular Quay. The building itself has this modern boutique vibe that feels deliberately cool without being pretentious about it.

The location is honestly the star here. You’re literally a five-minute walk from Oxford Street, which means you’ve got everything from late-night eats to vintage shopping right at your doorstep. And here’s something most people don’t realize – you can actually walk to Kings Cross in about ten minutes if you don’t mind a slight uphill trek. The staff mentioned that a lot of guests discover the whole Potts Point cafe scene this way, which is kind of a hidden gem that even some Sydneysiders miss. There’s also this great little laneway behind the hotel where locals grab their morning coffee – I mean, it’s not groundbreaking, but it’s those small details that make you feel like you’re staying somewhere real rather than just another hotel.

The rooms are solid – clean, well-designed, nothing fancy but everything works. The shower pressure is actually decent (which, let’s be honest, can be hit or miss in boutique places), and the beds are comfortable enough that I didn’t wake up with a sore back. What I appreciated most was how quiet it gets at night, even though you’re in the middle of everything. The windows must be pretty well insulated because Darlinghurst can get lively on weekends. The 7.5 rating makes sense – it’s not going to blow you away, but it’s reliable and the four-star rating feels accurate. Check-in was smooth, parking is available (though you’ll pay for it, because… Sydney), and the whole experience felt effortless in that way good hotels should. If you’re looking for something that feels authentically Sydney without the Harbor Bridge price tag, this is a solid choice.

Rooms

• Estimated price from: $766. Three-Bedroom Apartment with 1 extra-large double bed, 1 large double bed and 2 single beds for Max persons: 6

Reviews

• Excellent! Very comfortable and would highly recommend to family and friends – Tendayi from New Zealand – 8 November 2023 (9/10)

  The gift that awaited us on arrival at the property was great and such a welcoming and helpful gesture. We really appreciated it. The property was very well presented, with modern furnishings. With great location, high ceilings and the well thought out design that went into the building, furniture and fittings this made our stay very comfortable and enjoyable. Having a garage on site was very handy.
  
  What could be improved: There was no key for the door from the courtyard into the garage. The stairs are steep with no balustrade or railing and may not be suitable for those with young children or a bit tipsy.

• The unit was overpriced for what we got. – Joshua from United States – 16 March 2025 (6/10)

  Nice location.
  Good response by management on lack of hangers.
  Lots of wine glasses for entertaining.
  Comfortable furniture. Nicely appointed.
  Liked second shower in powder room. Good shower heads. Glad management understood need for two refrigerators. Good availability of streaming services. Nice hard beds.
  
  What could be improved: Stained mattresses, Lack of fitted sheets
  Non-response on plumbing issue by management.
  Uneven numbers and mismatched dishes.
  Lack of full-length mirror. Lack of magnifying mirror. Partially empty hand soap containers. Minimal food pantry storage for longer stays. Limited hangar space.

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities