SHE35 – CBD Darling Harbour Views with Pool & Gym Access

Hotel Description

You know what struck me first about SHE35? The name’s a bit corporate-sounding, but honestly, once you’re standing in that lobby looking out at Darling Harbour, you sort of forget about the branding. The building itself sits right on Shelley Street – and if you know Sydney CBD at all, you’ll appreciate that this puts you in the thick of things without being stuck on one of those crazy busy thoroughfares where taxis are honking at 2am.

The harbour views are actually legit, not one of those “if you crane your neck and squint” situations. From the higher floors, you can watch the ferries puttering back and forth, and there’s something oddly soothing about that constant movement. I mean, you’re paying for those views, but they deliver. The pool area is decent enough – nothing fancy, but it gets the job done and the water’s usually the right temperature. The gym access is one of those shared facility deals, which honestly works out fine because hotel gyms are usually cramped anyway. This one’s got proper equipment, and I rarely found it crowded, probably because most guests are too busy exploring the city or nursing hangovers from the night before.

What I really appreciated was how walkable everything is from here. You’re maybe a ten-minute stroll to Circular Quay, and the Convention Centre is practically next door if you’re in town for business. The restaurants downstairs and around the corner are actually where locals eat, not just tourist traps – there’s this little Vietnamese place that does incredible pho, and the coffee shop two blocks down makes a proper flat white. The 7-out-of-10 rating feels about right, honestly. It’s not going to blow your mind, but everything works like it should. The rooms are clean, modern enough, and the air conditioning actually keeps up with Sydney’s summer heat (which, trust me, is crucial). Check-in was smooth, staff seemed genuinely helpful rather than going through the motions, and the wifi didn’t constantly drop out like some places. The only minor thing – and this might not bother everyone – is that you can hear the harbour traffic if you’re a light sleeper, but personally, I found the sound of water lapping and distant boat engines kind of relaxing. If you’re looking for a solid base to explore Sydney without paying Marina Bay prices, and you want to wake up to actual water views rather than staring at another building, SHE35 does the job well.

Rooms

• Estimated price from: $378. Two-Bedroom Apartment with 1 double bed and 1 large double bed for Max persons: 4

Reviews

• Good central place to stay with good access to Darling Harbour and Ferries. – Peter from Australia – 6 July 2025 (9/10)

  The location was excellent and being a residential apartment meant that we saw very few other people.
  
  What could be improved: Nothing

• She35 Feedback – Kate from Australia – 2 June 2025 (5/10)

  Great location
  
  What could be improved: It was cold inside and the beds were way too soft. There weren't enough supplies for tea/coffee and there was no hairdryer.
  There wasn't any information left regarding wifi (can't remember if this was advertised in the listing) and there was no information for guests on arrival – like how/where to access the gym/pool, maps or guides to local restaurants or public transport options.

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities