Taylor Square, Bourke St, Surry Hills, Darlinghurst

Hotel Description

Look, I’ll be honest – when I first walked up to this place on Bourke Street, I wasn’t expecting much from a 3-star hotel. But you know what? Sometimes the best finds are the ones that surprise you without trying too hard. This spot sits right in that sweet zone between Surry Hills and Darlinghurst, and I mean *right* there – you’re basically straddling two of Sydney’s most interesting neighborhoods.

The thing about staying here is the location just works. You’re a genuine 5-minute walk from Taylor Square (hence the name, I guess), and honestly, that puts you in the thick of everything without being stuck in the tourist chaos of the CBD. Want coffee? There’s probably six excellent cafes within two blocks. Craving something stronger? Well, you’re in Darlinghurst – the bars basically find you. I spent most mornings wandering down toward Crown Street for breakfast, then evenings heading the other direction toward Oxford Street. The hotel itself is pretty straightforward – clean rooms, decent beds, nothing fancy but nothing to complain about either. The staff actually seemed to know the area, which sounds basic but you’d be surprised how rare that is. They pointed me toward a little Thai place around the corner that I never would’ve found otherwise.

What really sold me on this place was how it felt like staying in an actual neighborhood rather than a hotel bubble. You hear the city around you – not in an annoying way, but in that alive, urban way that reminds you why you came to Sydney in the first place. The trams rumble by on Bourke Street, sure, but they’re your ticket to everywhere else. I’d catch the 393 straight down to Circular Quay most days, or walk 15 minutes through Hyde Park when the weather was good. Parking was… well, it’s inner Sydney, so manage your expectations. But honestly, once you’re here, you barely need a car anyway. The building itself has that solid, unpretentious feel – probably from the ’80s or ’90s, but well-maintained. My room faced the street, which meant some traffic noise but also great people-watching from the window. Check-in was smooth, WiFi worked fine, and the shower had proper water pressure – sometimes it’s the simple things, you know? At a 7.8 rating, it’s clearly doing something right without being flashy about it. This isn’t where you come to Instagram your hotel room, but it’s exactly where you want to be if you actually want to experience Sydney like someone who lives here.

Rooms

• Estimated price from: $119. One-Bedroom Apartment with 1 large double bed for Max persons: 2

Reviews

• Good – Celine from France – 19 April 2025 (7/10)

  Great area it reminds me the west village in NYC
  
  What could be improved: Cosy and functional
  Great location

• Ideal Location – Joe from Australia – 3 December 2024 (7/10)

  Great location, I could walk to everything. Room neat and clean, all your basic needs are there to cook if need be and tea, coffee, ect there. Close to a Wollies Metro. I would stay there again.
  
  What could be improved: no air con, but ceiling fan was fine

• Everything you need in one compact location. – Megan from Australia – 4 August 2024 (8/10)

  Everything you need in one location. Remember to bring $1 coins for coin operated laundry, lovely coffee n cake available in greek run store on the street next door.
  
  What could be improved: If wifi was listed on wall or keys – would be tops.

• Good – Isaac from Australia – 11 February 2025 (7/10)

  Excellent location. You'll probably be walking up Oxford St from the city a lot so get those quads ready.
  
  What could be improved: Some bugs. Ceiling fan seemed to be able to be controlled by someone else (neighbour)?? I would turn it to high and sometimes it would turn back to med/low…

• Superb – Igor from Slovenia – 18 October 2024 (9/10)

  Small but clean and functional apartment, everything you need, excellent location with lively bars and food stores, buses nearby.
  
  What could be improved: Nothing important

• Comfortable stay in a super convenient local. Wonderful communication from David. – Ebony from Australia – 30 May 2024 (10/10)

  Exceptionally clean, comfortable and in a super convenient location.
  
  What could be improved: Everything was great

• Tellement bien que dès que je reviens sur Sydney je réserve rapidement auprès de David – Christian from France – 31 March 2025 (10/10)

  Le propriétaire David semble très sympa. Il a le souci que son appartement soit le plus fonctionnel possible pour ses hotes. Il a le souci du détail. Tout était bien explicité pour les clés notamment.J'espère pouvoir rester en contact avec David et qu'il puisse m'accepter de nouveau si je reviens sur Sydney.
  Super emplacement . Je ne mettais que 15mn à pied pour aller au bureau ou était ma réunion.
  
  What could be improved: Rien

• Excellent – Servane from France – 13 July 2025 (10/10)

  Très bon accueil de David, beaucoup de souplesse, un grand merci!

• Very good – Martin from Australia – 15 January 2025 (8/10)

• Very good – Grady from Australia – 21 June 2024 (8/10)

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities