Mantra 2 Bond Street

Mantra 2 is an upper-middle-range apartment hotel that caters to long-term business travelers along with families and groups of friends who want to be able to cook in their room. The property is contemporary, especially after the mid-2010s renovations, which gave common spaces and some apartments a sleeker, more modern feel. The lobby is bright and inviting, with floor-to-ceiling windows and recessed lighting, and there's a wooden communal table, a few sofas and chairs, and a guest computer with a printer for guests who want to hang out and work. On the same level is the hotel's restaurant, Memento Lounge and Bistro, an open-space bar and restaurant with wooden tables and brass lighting fixtures that add a little old-fashioned flair to the otherwise simple and contemporary space. Rates aren't low but they're decent for location and amenities.

Mantra 2 Bond Street is located in the Central Business District (CBD), the commercial and financial hub of the city. It's on the corner of Bond Street and the bustling George Street, Sydney's main thoroughfare, offering easy walking access to shops and a huge range of restaurants. The hotel is right next to Australia Square Tower, one of the city's tallest buildings, full of offices and shops. It's a three-minute walk to Wynyard train station and a six-minute walk to the Museum of Contemporary Art, while The Rocks and Circular Quay (where ferries depart) are a seven-minute walk away. Getting to the Queen Victoria Building and Pitt Street Mall takes about 10 minutes, while the Sydney Aquarium only takes a couple more minutes to reach. It' a 15-minute walk to the Royal Botanic Gardens, a 16-minute walk to Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House. Farther afield, it takes just under 20 minutes by car to get to Bondi Beach and Taronga Zoo. The Sydney Airport takes about the same amount of time to reach. 

Rooms at this hotel are of the serviced apartment variety and range from entry-level Studios to a Three-Bedroom Penthouse -- with one- and two-bedroom units in between. All come with everything guests need to prepare their own meals, and even the Studios have full kitchens with four-burner stoves, dishwashers, ovens, and all sorts of crockery. Rooms across categories also have washing machines, separate dryers, and ironing equipment, along with a minimum of two flat-screen TVs and safes. Wi-Fi is available, but it costs extra to use unless guess sign up for the chain's loyalty program. Fridges come stocked with water, soft drinks, and beer, and a few snacks are available in kitchens for purchase.

While amenities are more or less uniform, decor across categories varies a bit, as only Executive and Deluxe units have been renovated. Non-renovated units feature lighter wood and beige accents, while upgraded apartments feature a more stylish, modern design that relies heavily on hues of gray and charcoal, with darker furniture, yellow accents, and clean lines. Still, all are comfortable and bright, with lots of natural light from big windows that lead out to balconies (in some units only) and a mix of recessed and soft lamp lighting. Bathrooms are modern and sleek, with cream-colored marble on floors and walls and glassed-in walk-in showers. Hairdryers and basic toiletries by Urban Skincare Co. are provided. Most apartments have only one bathroom, but the Penthouse has two.

Housekeeping is provided daily.

Despite being a serviced apartment property, Mantra 2 Bond Street offers a good range of facilities more commonly found in traditional hotels. For one, there's a proper on-site restaurant, Memento Lounge & Bistro, which offers buffet and a la carte breakfasts (for a fee), and contemporary Australian cuisine for lunch and dinner. The restaurant offers a variety of bistro-style foods (fish and chips and burgers) along with entrees such as chicken schnitzel and pasta. The wine list is solid, with Australian and international options available. However, the bistro has limited hours on weekends, and room service is only available a few hours per week. 

There's also a small outdoor heated pool and whirlpool on a deck with great city views and a few lounge chairs and a barbecue grill for guest use. The hotel also features a small gym with cardio equipment and a weight-training machine. Indoor parking is available, but it's expensive, and massages can be requested for a fee. Like many Sydney hotels, Wi-Fi costs extra unless you sign up for the hotel's loyalty program.