The Russell Boutique Hotel

My room was small but comfortable. Shared bathroom was clean, and I only had to wait to use it once during my stay. On Saturday night, I could hear the piano music a little bit from the bar downstairs, but I didn't mind. I liked it. Also, the pub - Fortune of War - was fabulous. Friendly and with great music. Enjoyed singing and carousing. Also, the location couldn't be beat, as it was close to transport and the most beautiful parts of Sydney. Bed comfy too. Excellent stay.

Beautiful, cute, fabulous hotel! We were a little worried to stay in an older/historical hotel, but oh my! It was the best choice we could have made! Not only is The Russell cheaper than any surrounding hotel, it was a very nice, clean and had some character that a chain hotel wouldn't have. Location was great! Just a few blocks away from The Harbour Bridge and just around the corner to the Opera House. 2-minute walk to The Circular Quay Train Station. And at The Harbour, there are some great ice cream/gelato places. Staff is so nice and helpful... we got off our cruise ship at 10am and "checked-in", it was early so we couldn't go to our room... the staff tagged our bags and assured us they would take them to our room. So, we went ventured out with our Aussie friend for the day. When we got back, our bags were in our room and the room was fabulous! Loved it! Very good bed and pillows! Everything nice! Continental breakfast was great! They had had nut breads, regular bread and fruits... along with bran cereal, frosted flakes and others. Definitely would stay here again when we come back to Sydney! No complaints, everything was fantastic! Loved, loved, love The Russell Hotel. The bathrooms are in the hallway, but they are very nice and kept up nicely! Soap and shampoo is provided! No complaints!

Nice historic hotel in a very central location. Some rooms have a bathroom. While other rooms share a bathroom. But these were very clean. The decor is old, but not distasteful. Rooms are small, but have high ceilings so you don't feel claustrophobic. No air-conditioning but shouldn't be a problem for most of the year except on very hot humid days. However, the windows do open, and they have a ceiling fan. The location is excellent, right on George Street next to Circular Quay and the historic district of The Sydney Rocks. There is a restaurant available downstairs. Some rooms are only accessible by a short staircase. I liked the hotel. It has a historic continental charm about it.

Buffet breakfast was included in the price. Perfect location to explore The Rocks and city centre. Easy access to everywhere, with the ferry terminal and light rail within walking distance. Boutique hotel in a beautiful old building in Sydney's oldest suburb. Staff were friendly and helpful. Check-in and check-out were quick and easy. If noise is an issue for you (it wasn't for us), be aware that the rooms facing George St can get quite noisy. Also the wine fridge and air conditioner are a little noisy. Our room was closest to the WiFi router yet the signal was very poor and sometimes dropped out altogether.

Me and my family had a great stay. The location was super convenient to discover the city and to have a quick access to the airport. My family, who doesn't speak English, could move around the location of the hotel easily and find perfect places for them to have a drink and some food. The staff cared a lot about the room for my parents when I told them they had some difficulties to move, I really appreciated their effort and the information provided. Also, the hotel has lots of personality, which is not always easy to find in a big city like Sydney!

I’m impressed with staffs, hotel room and all services. I arrived in early morning because of my flight arrival at 6 am and just want to drop off luggages there but a staff hand me a towel for refresh bath! I’m impressed! Hotel is boutique style which is lovely, bathroom is wide and good not far from our room. Valuable for money in the center of Sydney and near main station! Breakfast is good!

Great location, clean, quaint and historic. Our only complaint was our room, 24 definitely requires air conditioning. It was incredibly hot and you couldn't keep the window open, due to two large air con compressors for other parts of the hotel, running 24x7. Adequate breakfast provided. We would stay again but only in an air conditioned room.

Really loved my stay at this little gem. Fantastic location, really lovely comfy and clean rooms and super value for money. I was here alone for a work trip and was a bit nervous about the shared bathroom but the separate shower and toilet were really clean with Molton Brown products and I didn't have to fight any other guests for access! The breakfast buffet has a great selection of cereals, fruit, bread etc. The attention to detail throughout was exceptional and a real credit to whoever is in charge. I'll definitely stay here again next time I'm in Sydney.

SMALL, HISTORIC, EXPENSIVE HOTEL This old hotel puts me in mind of a Vermont B&B or some English hotels that are rabbit warrens of corridors and stairs. The wooden floors creak, it's noisy with thin walls & it's above a bar, but nevertheless it is well located and showing its age, which is okay, actually. It is wildly expensive for what you get, but still a fun place to stay for a short while. Note: you must pay a surcharge for en suite facilities and for WI-FI. Not cool. I'd love to give them 4 stars, but it's just not there.

I probably should start of by saying that this is a review of the bar as opposed to the boutique hotel. Anyway I always thought the Russell was its own pub, however on my last visit I had to go and find the little boy's room, so I went down the back, along the hallway, and discovered that I had walked into the Fortune of War. Okay, maybe it is the one and the same pub, but they certainly look at lot different (and the Russell is somewhat more expensive, as well as not having midis on offer, which I find somewhat annoying). Anyway, I've come here a couple of times but I can't say the place really enthuses me all that much. Sure it is a nice looking pub, but it does seem a bit classy. Also I ordered a Mountain Goat IPA, a beer that I regularly drink, and it didn't seem all that right. I'll probably give it a pass next time I'm in Sydney.

This is an old school, quaint place to stay. King size bed, ceiling fan, mini fridge and a TV. We shared a bathroom and there wasn't any AC. The location was great and they do serve a continental breakfast that wasn't too bad. We leave there Sunday morning for our cruise to Hawaii. Things ain't all hat bad!

I really, really loved this hotel. The floors creak and the doors are thin but it doesn't matter because it is charming and adorable. It reminds me of a bed and breakfast I stayed in when I visited Napa, CA, which was really historical and intimate. The front receptionist brought me chocolates to my room, which I obviously loved. The heater worked nicely on the chilly night I was there. I didn't use the TV so I can't really say. The sharing bathrooms isn't an issue because the toilet has it's own door and so does the shower. So you're never going in the same room as someone else in another stall...you do have some privacy. I spent a lot of time in their roomy lounge before and after my checkout and they didn't ask me to leave. I needed the wifi because I don't have cell service in Australia! Yes it was expensive but with the included breakfast, the location to the city highlights, and the main train/bus/ferry terminals practically across the street, this place was perfect. Sydney is a walkable city and you can really save transportation costs by staying right in the heart of it all.

I always stay in the cheap room which I can usually book for about 180 AUD. It has a shared bathroom across the hall and no air conditioning, but if a beautiful room, right in the Rocks with a quick walk to anywhere you need to go. Good breakfast is included at their pub downstairs.

A quaint boutique bed and breakfast is just the place to stay in Sydney whether you're there for business or pleasure. And that is most definitely The Russell Hotel. Located in the Rocks, this Sydney institution will make your stay in the city a delight. All their rooms are furnished differently (antique style) so every time you visit its sure to different. Their service is excellent and makes you feel at home. The hotel is near a lot of Sydney attractions like the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge which is definitely a big plus. And if you're not up to leaving the hotel, they even have a sitting room and rooftop garden where you can relax and just enjoy some quiet time. A stay here is highly recommended!

Russell Hotel is a cute boutique hotel with room decor almost reminiscent of an old New England bedroom. It is one of the more affordable options in your stay at Sydney. However, you share a bathroom with others on the same floor (usually one other room, but anyone on the floor can access it since it's in the hallway). And not everyone likes to flush the toilet (I feel like I should get put on salary here with the amount of times I had to flush for others). As old fashioned looking as this facility is, it does have wifi for a $5/day surcharge. Not bad. The continental breakfast hits the spot...nothing fancy, which is perfect for me. The croissants are delicious, and each new batch comes out warm from the oven. Though, I did notice my husband and I were the youngest people at breakfast by at least 20 years. And one guest mistook me for someone who works here and tried to ask for something. Despite the setbacks/awkwardness of the above, I would consider staying here again. It's in a great location, with easy access to the Opera House and Botanical Gardens, and is relatively affordable. Just be ready to flush a few toilets.

I've given this hotel 4 stars, not for Luxury, but for old world charm, service, cleanliness, and location. The Russel is a boutique B 'n B in a charming old building with creaky floors and nicely decorated and well appointed rooms. (The bed was very comfortable!) The staff was helpful and friendly- assisting us with all our needs- and arranged our tours for us! We had an air conditioner in our room and an on Suite bath, but some rooms share common baths. Breakfast is simple and is served in the pub below. This hotel is so conveniently located in the historic Rocks district where pubs and restaurants abound with great food , Circular Quay is a stones throw away - as is the Museum of Modern art, and the Opera House and botanic garden is a brisk walk away. We also walked up the hill to the Sydney Observatory and you can reach the Sydney bridge - we walked over and back. Our family has stayed here twice and we will stay there again on our next visit.