Recommended place to stay:
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Official star rating:
As bank branches are retired, Australia finds itself with a surfeit of these solid, unwanted buildings. A few, like this one in Paddington, are finding a new lease of life as hotels.
Mrs Banks, which dates from 1914, retains its art deco façade, but the interior has been transformed into a warm, welcoming space.
Despite a few flashes of design flair, this boutique property is fairly sober and grown-up. Rooms are not especially large but are extremely comfortable and clean.
Paddington is a character-filled suburb, filled with streets of immaculately restored Victorian terrace houses. It’s centrally located for exploring the wider city’s sights, but away from the main city crowds.
It’s an ideal choice for anyone wanting a quieter, more atmospheric stay in a popular local neighbourhood.
While Oxford Street, Paddington, is no longer the fashion powerhouse it once was, this part of Sydney retains a certain cache. Away from the main shopping precinct, the visitor will find plenty of charming streets and immaculately restored terrace houses. Many of the old Victorian pubs survive and the weekend markets continue to attract big crowds.
Although there is a constant stream of traffic on Oxford Street, Paddington itself is pretty genteel, with plenty of good cafes, boutiques and eateries – and its own art house cinema.
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Destination guides including or relevant to this experience
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Destination guide
One of the world’s most dynamic and glamorous cities, with golden beaches, world-class eating and dining and effervescent, friendly people. Home to the eye-popping Opera House and the indescribable Sydney Bridge Climb.
