Modern Balmain Abode

Hotel Description

Look, I’ll be honest – when I first pulled up to this place in Balmain, I wasn’t expecting much from a 3-star spot. But you know what? The Modern Balmain Abode actually surprised me in the best way possible. It’s tucked away on one of those quiet residential streets that make you feel like you’re staying in a proper Sydney neighborhood, not some tourist bubble. The building itself has that clean, minimalist vibe that screams “we tried harder than we had to,” which I genuinely appreciated.

What really sold me on this place was how it sits perfectly between the ferry wharf and Darling Street – I mean, you can literally walk to the weekend markets in about three minutes, and there’s this little bakery around the corner that does these incredible sourdough pastries (the locals queue up for them every Saturday morning). The rooms are exactly what you’d expect from somewhere calling itself “modern” – clean lines, decent-sized windows, and honestly, better Wi-Fi than some of the fancier hotels I’ve stayed at in the CBD. The bathroom was surprisingly spacious too, though I’ll warn you that the shower pressure can be a bit temperamental in the mornings when everyone’s getting ready. Check-in was smooth enough, and the staff actually knew things about the area beyond just pointing you toward the Opera House.

Here’s what I really loved though – you’re staying in actual Balmain, which means you get to experience Sydney like someone who lives here. The ferry ride into Circular Quay is genuinely one of the best ways to see the harbor (and way more relaxing than dealing with CBD traffic), plus you’ve got all these little pubs and cafes that tourists rarely find. The Tiger Bay pub is maybe a five-minute walk, and their fish and chips are legitimately good. Parking can be a bit tricky on weekends – it’s mostly street parking, and the locals know all the good spots – but during the week it’s pretty manageable. The neighborhood gets quiet after about 10 PM, which I actually found perfect for sleeping, though you might hear the occasional ferry horn if you’re a really light sleeper. For what you’re paying, especially compared to staying in the city center, this place delivers exactly what it promises without any pretense. It’s comfortable, well-located, and run by people who seem to actually care about making your stay work.

Rooms

• Estimated price from: $279. Apartment with 1 large double bed and 2 single beds for Max persons: 4

Reviews

• Balmain is a lovely area to stay. – Linda from Belgium – 9 July 2025 (8/10)

  Clean, well-equipped and excellent location.
  
  What could be improved: Entrance was in back alley and difficult to identify at night. Exterior not shown in photos.

• Good – Fay from Australia – 10 February 2025 (7/10)

  What could be improved: Difficult to lock and unlock 3 doors.. Also no idea which key to use for each door. A process of elimination.

• Strange. – Danielle from Australia – 17 June 2023 (8/10)

  Fantastic for walking to darling St bars and restaurants! Also great to just chill at home in the lounge with wine and take out.
  
  What could be improved: The restaurant downstairs started machines to prepare for the day at 5am! You can also hear the chairs and tables being set up and packed down each day. The blind don't fully block out the string lights coming from the restaurant downstairs. The entrance is also through the back of a restaurant kitchen which was kind of odd, but doable.

• Nice apartment for 2 people or small family. – Karen from Australia – 22 April 2025 (7/10)

  Great location. Nice property with plenty of room and good size kitchen.
  
  What could be improved: There was not enough amenities left such as hand soap, rubbish bags, dishwashing tablets.

• Refer above – Gareth from Australia – 13 January 2025 (8/10)

  Great location, it was a nice apartment that was comfortable.
  
  What could be improved: It was disappointing that it was connected to a restaurant and that it was uncomfortable that we shared the back entry with kitchen staff.
  There were cockroaches everywhere and they were dying at the entry of our apartment (no one was cleaning them up).
  The grease smell from the kitchen was coming into the apartment so we had to get scented candles to hide the smell.
  We booked for a week so the lack of supply of toilet later and rubbish bags etc was something you would not expect, there was also no offer of toiletries which we thought were supplied when we booked.
  The bed linen was also very underwhelming.

• very good – Aili from United Kingdom – 27 July 2024 (9/10)

  very clean

• Exceptional – Andrew from New Zealand – 28 April 2025 (10/10)

  Spacious
  Quiet
  Clean
  Modern
  
  What could be improved: Strange entrance way

• Location good but lots of room for improvement – Louise from Australia – 18 May 2025 (6/10)

  Beds comfortable and very clean
  
  What could be improved: Not easy to find and no indication on keys which door it was for would have to try all keys. There were no instructions about the accommodation and local amenities,restaurants, public transport. Water was leaking in the roof in the living area and water on floor in the bathroom.

• Not good – Benjamin from Australia – 29 August 2023 (1/10)

  This apartment is located at the rear of a busy restaurant. The noise from the restaurant’s very loud fridges / air compressors located below the bedrooms are akin to the sounds of a laundromat operating 24 hours a day. Hence we could not sleep for our two night stay.
  
  I think that it is misleading to advertise this property without stating that it shares the building with a noisy restaurant not to mention that the only entrance is via the restaurant’s storeroom located downstairs next to their bins in a stinky lane way.
  
  The only external windows are in the two bedrooms facing the lane way. The central window looks down on the enclosed courtyard’s dirty awning. So whilst the apartment is new and shiny it feels closed-in and soulless.
  
  We would most definitely not stay here again nor recommend this property to anyone. The property is hosted by airkeeper whose operators are in the Philippines; the response I got from my complaint about the noise was that is has been referred to “the team”. Hopeless.

• Lovely apartment – Anonymous from Ireland – 23 May 2025 (10/10)

  Quite and private
  
  What could be improved: After the rain the roof leaked

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities