Crystalbrook Albion Sydney – Hotel Review
Heritage charm meets the eclectic at Crystalbrook Albion, a luxury boutique hotel in Sydney’s hip Surry Hills neighbourhood. Inside a former convent built in 1901, the 35-room property has been sensitively restored and brought into the 21st century with a contemporary extension and all the mod cons. While it’s proudly design-centric, this pet-friendly hotel is anything but pretentious and guests are encouraged to treat their stay as a home-away-from-home experience. It’s also the ideal base for travellers keen to explore one of the harbour city’s most vibrant suburbs.
Where is Crystalbrook Albion?
Crystalbrook Albion is located in the inner-city suburb of Surry Hills and is accessible via Albion Street or Little Albion Street. It’s a 10-minute walk from Central station, with both city and country connections, an easy 25-minute walk to the CBD and a stroll to many of the city’s most popular restaurants, including Chin Chin and Firedoor. A taxi, rideshare or the train will get you to Sydney Airport in about 20 minutes.
Room types
A riot of colourful patterns in the drapery, bathroom tiles and wallpaper set the tone in the 35 unique guestrooms, each individually styled with glamorous Art Deco-inspired furnishings. Sumptuous velvet armchairs, solid walnut bedheads and playful artworks that nod to the ’20s and ‘70s complement the building’s refreshed heritage details such as ornate fireplaces and lancet windows. The 35 rooms range from the charming Cosy – ideal for short stays – to the spacious Big Albion suite. The latter is a more luxurious experience, with its freestanding bath and king-sized bed. If you prefer to travel with your pooch, you can book a pet-friendly Urban room, located on the ground floor for direct street access.
Food and drink
The hotel’s self-serve bar operates on an honour system and allows guests to indulge in a selection of wines, spirits and gourmet nibbles 24/7. Each evening at 5pm make your way to the lobby’s ‘70s-style sunken lounge and take your pick from the G+T Trolley’s rotating selection of Australian craft gins with accompanying Australian-made sparkling beverages and fresh fruits. A complimentary breakfast of Infinity Bakery pastries, The Urban Beehive honey, T2 teas and coffee is available to kickstart your day.
Travel for work
All rooms contain a small table and chair for working and a smart TV. The Wi-Fi is fast and complimentary throughout the property. There are several quiet nooks in the hotel to pull up a laptop and get to work, plus there’s a communal Apple MAC desktop in the lobby lounge. A laundry and dry-cleaning service is available.
Wellness
There’s no spa or gym on-site but those who want to luxuriate should upgrade to the Urban Luxe and Master rooms or the Albion suite, each of which boasts a deep freestanding bath, complimentary relaxation salts, soft robes and slippers.
What you need to know
The rooftop terrace boasts city vistas and is an ideal spot to bask in the sun with a tipple in hand.
Best for: Design-savvy urbanites
Number of rooms: 35
Rates: $285
Wi-fi: Fast and free
Parking: Available for a fee at Rydges Sydney Central - a 5-minute walk down Albion Street.
Address: 21 Little Albion St, Surry Hills, NSW
Telephone: +61 2 8029 7900
