Royal Exhibition Hotel
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Summary of reviewsThe Royal Exhibition Hotel, located in the vibrant area of Surry Hills, emerges as an attractive and practical choice for travelers, primarily due to its prime location across from Central Station. This strategic positioning offers seamless access to Sydney's extensive public transport network, including trains, trams and light rail, making it ideal for quick commutes to key attractions like Circular Quay and the airport. Guests note the convenience for early train trips and proximity to entertainment, dining and cultural spots, while appreciating the quietness of the rooms despite the bustling environs.
Dining at the Royal Exhibition Hotel garners high praise, particularly for its bistro and pub fare. Guests commend the quality and affordability of the meals, enjoying the pleasant ambiance created by the on-site restaurant and bar. The bistro's garlic bread and pub's selection of tap beers, including Guinness, are frequently highlighted. The friendly and welcoming staff contribute to an enjoyable dining experience, making the hotel's dining options a significant positive point for many visitors.
Accommodations at the hotel are noted for their spaciousness and cleanliness with rooms described as comfortable, well-maintained and equipped with essential amenities. High ceilings and ample natural light create a pleasant environment and the bathroom facilities are often praised for their modernity and functionality. However, some minor maintenance issues and occasional noise from external sources were reported.
Staff at the Royal Exhibition Hotel receive consistently positive feedback for their friendliness, efficiency and helpfulness. Many guests express satisfaction with the service throughout the hotel, from the reception to the bar, contributing to a comfortable and welcoming atmosphere.
While the hotel’s WiFi service has received mixed reviews with some experiencing slow speeds and connectivity issues, the overall experience tends to be positive. The hotel's location in a lively nightlife area adds to its appeal for those seeking an energetic environment, although noise from the surrounding street and bars can be a challenge for light sleepers.
Overall, the Royal Exhibition Hotel offers a blend of convenience, comfort and affordability with its exceptional location, enjoyable dining options and attentive staff standing out as significant highlights. Despite areas for improvement in WiFi reliability and some cleaning consistency, the hotel provides a reliable and pleasant base for exploring Sydney.
Categories
Dining at the Royal Exhibition Hotel garners high praise, particularly for its bistro and pub fare. Guests commend the quality and affordability of the meals, enjoying the pleasant ambiance created by the on-site restaurant and bar. The bistro's garlic bread and pub's selection of tap beers, including Guinness, are frequently highlighted. The friendly and welcoming staff contribute to an enjoyable dining experience, making the hotel's dining options a significant positive point for many visitors.
Accommodations at the hotel are noted for their spaciousness and cleanliness with rooms described as comfortable, well-maintained and equipped with essential amenities. High ceilings and ample natural light create a pleasant environment and the bathroom facilities are often praised for their modernity and functionality. However, some minor maintenance issues and occasional noise from external sources were reported.
Staff at the Royal Exhibition Hotel receive consistently positive feedback for their friendliness, efficiency and helpfulness. Many guests express satisfaction with the service throughout the hotel, from the reception to the bar, contributing to a comfortable and welcoming atmosphere.
While the hotel’s WiFi service has received mixed reviews with some experiencing slow speeds and connectivity issues, the overall experience tends to be positive. The hotel's location in a lively nightlife area adds to its appeal for those seeking an energetic environment, although noise from the surrounding street and bars can be a challenge for light sleepers.
Overall, the Royal Exhibition Hotel offers a blend of convenience, comfort and affordability with its exceptional location, enjoyable dining options and attentive staff standing out as significant highlights. Despite areas for improvement in WiFi reliability and some cleaning consistency, the hotel provides a reliable and pleasant base for exploring Sydney.
Historic Inn
Located in a historic building, this hotel reflects the architectural style of its time. Its ambiance and décor evoke a sense of nostalgia, offering guests a glimpse into the past.
Inn near Nightlife Spots
Inn with Free Wi-Fi
Small Inn
4-Star Inn
Guest Reviews
Nestled in the lively area of Surry Hills, the Royal Exhibition Hotel boasts a highly praised location by its guests. Virtually every review points out its prime positioning right across from Central Station, making it superbly convenient for travelers. This central location offers effortless access to Sydney's comprehensive public transport network with trains, trams and light rail all at the hotel's doorstep. Guests found it particularly advantageous for quick commutes to significant spots like Circular Quay and the airport.
The proximity to Central Station is emphasized with many stating it was perfect for early train trips and had excellent links to the city's entertainment, dining and cultural attractions. Despite being in the heart of the bustling city, many guests appreciated the quietness of their rooms. The locale's easy access to public transport, paired with the convenience and comfort of the hotel, makes it a standout choice for those looking to explore Sydney seamlessly. Overall, the Royal Exhibition Hotel's location is frequently cited as its most valuable feature, providing guests with an incredibly accessible and practical base for their Sydney ventures.
The Royal Exhibition Hotel enjoys a prime location with a variety of dining options just a short stroll away. Many guests appreciate the convenience of having numerous cafes and restaurants in close proximity, making it easy to find a good meal. While breakfast is not provided or included at the hotel itself, guests note that there are plenty of excellent alternatives nearby to grab a quick coffee or a more substantial meal. For those who did try the breakfast available at the hotel, the feedback indicates a positive experience overall, although there were some concerns about cleanliness in the buffet breakfast area.
The Royal Exhibition Hotel offers a delightful dining experience with its highly praised bistro and pub fare. Guests frequently commend the excellent quality and reasonable pricing of the meals. The on-site restaurant and bar create a pleasant atmosphere, enhancing the overall dining experience. Many visitors highlight the great pub meals and the convenience of dining downstairs, noting that the bistro serves some of the best garlic bread.
The pub provides a good selection of tap beers and several guests favorably mention the quality of the Guinness. While a few reviews mention the noise from the light rail outside, this does not seem to overshadow the generally positive dining experiences. Most patrons find the food in the bistro to be consistently good with particular praise for its exceptional and amazing dishes. The friendly staff also add to the welcoming ambiance, making the Royal Exhibition Hotel's dining options a standout feature for guests.
The Royal Exhibition Hotel boasts spacious and clean rooms with many guests noting the comfort and ample size of the accommodations. The rooms are generally well-kept, offering basic but essential amenities such as tea, coffee and toiletries. Guests appreciate the high ceilings and natural light that create an airy environment and the modern yet traditional touches in the furnishings.
Many reviews highlight the large and functional bathroom facilities, often described as being freshly renovated with great showers. However, some guests found minor maintenance issues such as leaking showers and the need for deeper cleaning in certain rooms.
The hotel's location near Central Station is a significant advantage, providing convenient access to transportation. However, it's important to note that some rooms can be noisy or affected by external lighting, which may disrupt sleep.
Overall, the Royal Exhibition Hotel offers comfortable and spacious accommodations with a simple, cozy ambiance, making it suitable for travelers looking for affordability and convenience.
Nestled in a prime location close to public transport, the Royal Exhibition Hotel garners praise for its exceptional beds. Guests frequently highlight the comfort and coziness of the beds, describing them as super comfy, clean and adorned with nice linen and bedding. Many reviewers appreciate the comfortable bed and pillows, noting that the beds are a welcoming retreat after a long day. The beds are often mentioned as relaxing and conducive to a great night's sleep. Despite an occasional mention of an uncomfortable bed, the overwhelming consensus points to a high level of comfort and cleanliness, making the Royal Exhibition Hotel a reliable choice for a restful stay.
The 'Royal Exhibition Hotel' presents a mixed picture when it comes to cleanliness. Many guests highlighted the clean and comfortable rooms with frequent mentions of super clean and spotlessly clean accommodations. Housekeeping was consistent with clean sheets and towels delivered daily and important areas like the toilet, shower, sink and bed linen generally well-maintained. Several reviewers noted that the rooms appeared freshly cleaned upon arrival and appreciated the comfortable beds and quiet ambiance.
However, some areas of concern were repeatedly mentioned. Certain rooms were described as slightly dusty with carpets, windows and bathroom fittings often needing more thorough cleaning. Several guests found dirty windows and observed that the bathroom cleanliness was inconsistent with issues like dirty pub rooms, unclean sinks and occasionally filthy showers. Specific criticisms included thick, black mould, dusty edges and even slices of mouldy bread in drawers.
Although cleaning was done daily, the quality varied with some guests complaining about random and superficial maintenance. Overall, while the hotel generally appears clean at first glance, a deeper, more consistent approach to cleaning is advised to address the recurring complaints about dust, dirty windows and neglected bathroom areas.
The Royal Exhibition Hotel boasts a consistently friendly and helpful team with numerous reviews highlighting the staff's pleasant and welcoming nature. Many guests noted the excellent service from both check-in and bar staff with particular praise for the efficient and friendly reception experience. The overall sentiment indicates that the employees are not only accommodating but also supportive and attentive to guests' needs.
Though there are occasional mentions of less favorable interactions, these are outliers in the sea of positivity. Reviews frequently commend the staff for their kindness, flexibility and professionalism, making the stay more enjoyable and comfortable.
The hotel's efficient and friendly staff, coupled with clean and comfortable facilities, leave a lasting good impression on guests. From the positive remarks about the housekeeping to the commendations for specific staff members, it's evident that the Royal Exhibition Hotel prides itself on nurturing a hospitable and welcoming environment.
The WiFi at the Royal Exhibition Hotel has received mixed reviews from guests. While some have found the internet connection to be good and even fast, many others have reported numerous issues. Complaints include slow speeds, dodgy connections and recurring instances where the WiFi did not work, particularly on the last day of their stay. Several guests mentioned that the WiFi quality was poor and that it often cut in and out, affecting their ability to conduct tasks like Zoom meetings. Additionally, some guests were not provided with the WiFi information or password upon check-in. There were also remarks about Netflix being available on the TV screen, but being unusable without a personal account due to the unreliable WiFi connection. Improvements in the consistency and reliability of the WiFi would significantly enhance the guest experience.
The nightlife around the Royal Exhibition Hotel is undeniably vibrant, boasting a lively atmosphere perfect for night owls. The area is packed with pubs, including a 24-hour bar directly across the street, as well as a bar attached to the hotel itself. The proximity to Central Rail Station adds convenience for those exploring Sydney's nightclubs and theaters, such as the Belvoir Street Theatre.
However, this bustling nightlife comes at a cost. Street noise, including the sounds of trams, trains and rowdy crowds, often extends late into the night and early morning, making it difficult for light sleepers to get a good night's rest. The smell of smoke from the bar and vibrations from passing trams add to the sensory overload. Rooms situated above the front bar or near other pubs may experience significant disturbance from the ongoing revelry.
Despite these challenges, the hotel provides the convenience of an additional entrance for guests, potentially reducing some of the noise when entering and exiting. For those who prioritize a central location and an energetic nightlife scene, the Royal Exhibition Hotel's surroundings offer an exciting, albeit noisy, experience.
The Royal Exhibition Hotel offers three-star quality rooms and services, making it an affordable option compared to other locations. The hotel features basic room amenities, providing the bare minimum needed for a stay, but it compensates with clean and spacious rooms. The building may appear tired and old, but it has been well refurbished with soundproofed rooms ensuring a peaceful stay. Guests appreciate the tidy environment and the ease of access, particularly for the elderly. However, daily cleaning services may be inconsistent, as rooms are not always cleaned each day and dirty towels may not be removed, although new ones are provided. The presence of air-conditioning adds to the comfort, despite the overall basic provisions.
Location Show Map
Location
The proximity to Central Station is emphasized with many stating it was perfect for early train trips and had excellent links to the city's entertainment, dining and cultural attractions. Despite being in the heart of the bustling city, many guests appreciated the quietness of their rooms. The locale's easy access to public transport, paired with the convenience and comfort of the hotel, makes it a standout choice for those looking to explore Sydney seamlessly. Overall, the Royal Exhibition Hotel's location is frequently cited as its most valuable feature, providing guests with an incredibly accessible and practical base for their Sydney ventures.
Breakfast
Dinner
The pub provides a good selection of tap beers and several guests favorably mention the quality of the Guinness. While a few reviews mention the noise from the light rail outside, this does not seem to overshadow the generally positive dining experiences. Most patrons find the food in the bistro to be consistently good with particular praise for its exceptional and amazing dishes. The friendly staff also add to the welcoming ambiance, making the Royal Exhibition Hotel's dining options a standout feature for guests.
Rooms
Many reviews highlight the large and functional bathroom facilities, often described as being freshly renovated with great showers. However, some guests found minor maintenance issues such as leaking showers and the need for deeper cleaning in certain rooms.
The hotel's location near Central Station is a significant advantage, providing convenient access to transportation. However, it's important to note that some rooms can be noisy or affected by external lighting, which may disrupt sleep.
Overall, the Royal Exhibition Hotel offers comfortable and spacious accommodations with a simple, cozy ambiance, making it suitable for travelers looking for affordability and convenience.
Beds
Cleanliness
However, some areas of concern were repeatedly mentioned. Certain rooms were described as slightly dusty with carpets, windows and bathroom fittings often needing more thorough cleaning. Several guests found dirty windows and observed that the bathroom cleanliness was inconsistent with issues like dirty pub rooms, unclean sinks and occasionally filthy showers. Specific criticisms included thick, black mould, dusty edges and even slices of mouldy bread in drawers.
Although cleaning was done daily, the quality varied with some guests complaining about random and superficial maintenance. Overall, while the hotel generally appears clean at first glance, a deeper, more consistent approach to cleaning is advised to address the recurring complaints about dust, dirty windows and neglected bathroom areas.
Staff
Though there are occasional mentions of less favorable interactions, these are outliers in the sea of positivity. Reviews frequently commend the staff for their kindness, flexibility and professionalism, making the stay more enjoyable and comfortable.
The hotel's efficient and friendly staff, coupled with clean and comfortable facilities, leave a lasting good impression on guests. From the positive remarks about the housekeeping to the commendations for specific staff members, it's evident that the Royal Exhibition Hotel prides itself on nurturing a hospitable and welcoming environment.
Wi-Fi
Nightlife
However, this bustling nightlife comes at a cost. Street noise, including the sounds of trams, trains and rowdy crowds, often extends late into the night and early morning, making it difficult for light sleepers to get a good night's rest. The smell of smoke from the bar and vibrations from passing trams add to the sensory overload. Rooms situated above the front bar or near other pubs may experience significant disturbance from the ongoing revelry.
Despite these challenges, the hotel provides the convenience of an additional entrance for guests, potentially reducing some of the noise when entering and exiting. For those who prioritize a central location and an energetic nightlife scene, the Royal Exhibition Hotel's surroundings offer an exciting, albeit noisy, experience.
3 Star
No, Royal Exhibition Hotel doesn't have any pool.
No, a spa isn't available at Royal Exhibition Hotel.
No, Royal Exhibition Hotel doesn't allow dogs.
No, parking facilities aren't available at Royal Exhibition Hotel.
No, Royal Exhibition Hotel doesn't have a gym.
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