Simpsons of Potts Point Hotel

The Simpsons of Potts Point Hotel is housed in an unassuming, red brick building that's somewhat hidden by trees on a quiet residential street. Once inside, there is no standard lobby or reception area, but the fabulous lounge/sitting area has the feeling of stepping back in time, complete with old-fashioned music playing in the background. The Front Lounge has large leather couches, hardwood flooring with a red-patterned area rug, a cabinet full of books, and a fireplace with a large gilt window on its mantel. A smaller bookshelf is stocked with multiple copies of Australia guidebooks (Lonely Planet, Frommers, Fodor's, and Rough Guides are all represented) for guests to use. In a connected room, guests can catch up on reading at a small, round wooden table with chairs. Antique photos and old art prints decorate the moulded walls, painted a soft yellow-green with white trim. There's also a crystal chess game for guest use, and the hotel offers free sherry and brandy from crystal decanters kept in the lounge. 

The hotel is geared towards international guests, and suits families and couples alike. It's especially popular with American, German, and English tourists along with return guests from across the Antipodes. Because this is an intimate property with only 12 rooms, guests can expect personal attention from the staff, and many guests rave about their interactions with friendly hoteliers Marie and Keith. 

Simpsons is located in Potts Point in central Sydney, just outside of the Central Business District. Across the leafy, residential street is Saint Vincent's College, a girls' boarding school. Just up the road are plenty of cafes and restaurants, along with trendy boutiques, a pharmacy, laundromat, and supermarket. Kings Cross Station is a 10-minute walk away. Sydney Opera House takes less than 10 minutes to reach by car, while The Rocks neighborhood is a 10- to 15-minute drive. Bondi Beach and the Taronga Zoo are each a 15- to 20-minute drive away (without traffic). The Sydney Airport is within a 25 minutes' drive, and can be reached in about 45 minutes via public transport -- guests should take the South Coast Line to Central Station, then switch onto the Airport, Inner West & South Line (T2). 

The Simpsons of Potts Point offers five different types of rooms, all of which have air-conditioning, ceiling fans, free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and electric kettles; some have minibars with juices, sodas, and bottled water. The bottom two floors house the Deluxe Queen Rooms, while Superior Kings are only on the first floor (U.S. travelers should note that in Australia, the first floor is above the ground floor). The hotel also has two Family Rooms, each with a queen bed, a single bed, and a double pull-out sofa. The top floor of the hotel has adorable Dormer rooms with vaulted attic ceilings. The Cloud Suite is the most elegant room in the house, and has a hot tub for two people, and a king-size bed. 

Although decor varies from room to room, the overarching theme is classic: pastel-green carpets; cream and rose-gold patterned bedspreads; light-green easy chairs; Art Deco furniture pieces; and heavy, green and gold curtains over windows or balcony doors. Bathrooms have walk-in showers, and are bright and clean, with white tiling accented with a green floral pattern; many also have windows and tubs.

The hotel has a computer for guest use in the drawing room, along with a huge selection of books. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel, and while there's no guest laundry, there is a dry cleaner nearby. There's free on-site parking, and breakfast is included in room rates. The morning spread includes toast and cereal (but no hot items), and is served in the hotel's sunny conservatory, a glassed-in room with large potted plants and red-brick walls. A selection of brochures on area attractions are kept in the conservatory. Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel.