If you are looking for the best family accommodation in Sydney, from budget hotels to family-sized apartments that offer all the comforts of home, you have come to the right place. In this article, we will give you a rundown of the parts of Sydney we think are best suited to family holidays and our favourite family-friendly hotels in each area. 

Sydney is a fantastic destination for families. There are so many attractions that appeal to kids, from toddlers to teens; it is easy to plan a fun, action-packed itinerary. The hardest thing about holiday planning for me is choosing the right part of an unfamiliar city as a base.

The right accommodation can make or break the holiday’s success; things like having enough room, so you are not on top of each other all the time and having access to amenities that are important to you can increase the enjoyment of your holiday.

The information here can help you get to the fun part of your holiday planning, choosing all the fun things to see and do.

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So what’s important to you when looking for the perfect family accommodation?

Consider the following list:

• kids eating free or at least kids’ menus
• comfy beds for the whole family with no pull out cots
• free kids tv channels
• free wifi – for everyone
• a bathtub if your kids are not into showers
• having a kitchen for fussy eaters
• having access to laundry (why are kids so messy!)
• a great swimming pool
• a playground or kids club
• a babysitting service
• an airport shuttle service

So many of these things can add to how enjoyable your holiday is.

To help you narrow down your search, we have put together this list of the areas we feel are best suited to family visits to Sydney. For each area we have listed properties, we would be happy to stay in various budget levels. As locals who have raised kids (and now grandkids) in this city, we know it well.

By the time you reach the end of the page, if you still have questions pop over to our Facebook Group, and we would be happy to try to help you out.

I suggest you check out this list of the best things to do in Sydney with kids once you arrive. You may also like these tips for flying with kids if you are doing long haul to get here.

Kids Clubs in Sydney

Few, if any, hotels in the centre of Sydney have kids clubs. Even swimming pools are not common in mid to budget range properties. Because of this, I recommend you look for a hotel near to parks or other public spaces where younger kids can explore and burn off steam.

Darling Harbour Family Hotels

Darling Harbour is my pick for families with young children. The area has a fantastic modern children’s playground waiting to wear the kids out when their energy knows no bounds. Perfect for when you need a rest, there is coffee right at hand too.

In the evenings, especially on weekends and during school holidays, there are lots of free outdoor events to keep the whole family entertained.

Many attractions that kids will have on the top of their to-do list are in Darling Harbour, too, including:

• Sydney Aquarium, Wildlife Sydney and Madame Tussauds (multi ticketed)
• The Australian Maritime Museum
• Chinese Gardens
• Harbourside shopping centre

Where to Stay in Darling Harbour with Kids

Darling Harbour is quite a large area, almost 2km in length, so it is worth choosing the best part for your family. I have subdivided into three main areas for this article because they are all slightly different.

The southern end of Darling Harbour borders Chinatown and Paddy’s Market and is home to Tumbalong Park and the Chinese Gardens, and Darling Square. It has been revitalised over recent years and is one of our favourite parts of Darling Harbour these days.

Pros: Cheap eats, discount shopping and access to the park
Cons: Long walk or light rail to reach main sites on the harbour

Harbourside and Darling Park

Staying in the central area of Darling Harbour would be a good option if you want to be close to the action. However it’s worth noting that the Harbourside shopping centre which was the centrepiece on the western side has been demolished to make way for a new centre so for the next year at least it will be noisy and less attractive.

On the city side, you are close to Town Hall and Darling Park, which features a fantastic children’s waterplay garden.

Pros: Family-friendly eateries an quick access to the kids playground
Cons: Can be busy and noisy at times.

Family Hotels at the Southern End of Darling Harbour

Holiday Inn Darling Harbour – 4 star

While Holiday Inn Darling Harbour is rated four stars, I would consider it a better budget-style property than a true four star experience. The rooms are a good size and size and the property offers a decent buffet breakfast but it could do with a bit of a refresh.

It’s a seven-minute walk to Central Station but the light rail is 2 minutes walk away and you are right on Darling Harbour (Chinatown side) for good entertainment and cheap dining.

Dining tip: Head around the corner to Ho Jiak restaurant – winner of this years Time Out People’s choice and fabulous Malaysian food! It’s one of my favourites in the city. Lilong at Darling Square is also a great choice for families.

Location: 68 Harbour St, Haymarket
Family-friendly facilities: cots complimentary
Room types: suites are best for families (2 queen beds, sleeps 4) and feature a small dining table and mini-fridge
Special deals: up to 4 kids can eat free with paying adult, kids under 18 stay free with existing bedding

Radisson Hotel and Suites – 4 star

Radission Hotel and Suites are well positioned for a family stay in Sydney, with Darling Harbour only a few hundred metres away and Town Hall train station just a short walk.

The two bedrooms two bathroom apartments can sleep up to six and are almost 100 m² making them a good choice for extended visits. The property is well maintained, and the service is generally excellent.

Tip: Request a room on Sussex Street for a quieter nights sleep.

Dining tip: Lots of affordable eats at World Square shopping centre.

Location: 72 Liverpool Street, Sydney
Family-friendly facilities: two TVs in the two-bedroom apartments, indoor pool
Room types: studio, one and two-bedroom apartments
Costs: Children under 12 years stay free when occupying the parent or guardian’s room, using existing bedding.

Oaks Goldsbrough Apartments Darling Harbour – 4 star

This 320 room apartment hotel is located in a historic building and has retained the period features, including beautiful hardwood floors and exposed beams. These apartments offer good value for families mainly because of their size and location. Ask for a renovated room as these are very nice, the older rooms are only worth booking if you get a very good deal.

Dining Tip: Head 5 mins around the corner for breakfast and excellent coffee at Social Brew.

Location: 243 Pyrmont Street, Darling Harbour
Family-friendly facilities: indoor swimming pool, free wifi, kitchen, shuttle to the airport
Room types: large studios, one and two-bedroom apartments sleeping up to six people. Two-bedroom apartments have two bathrooms.
Cost: Children (5 years old and younger) stay free when occupying the parent or guardian’s room, using existing bedding.

Novotel Sydney Darling Harbour – 4 star

This large hotel is located on the Pyrmont side of Darling Harbour, just behind the Harbourside shopping centre building site. I would probably give this a miss until construction is complete.

Location: 100 Murray Street Darling Harbour
Family-friendly facilities: children tv channels, play area, children’s menus and child-friendly buffet, pool and tennis courts
Room types: 16 family rooms and over 40 interconnecting rooms
Costs: 2 kids up to 16 years can stay free if no extra bedding is required.

Family Hotels near King Street Wharf

This area is close to Sea Life Sydney Aquarium, Wild Life Sydney, Madame Tussauds and the Maritime Museum. The northern end of Darling Harbour is best for public transport, its own ferry wharf and a short walk to Wynyard Station.

Pros – Public transport nearby (ferries or trains)
Cons – Not much open space at the doorstep, a bit of a hike to Barangaroo until the site is finished and the park has direct access. Restaurant options are slightly less child friendly.

Adina Apartment Hotel Harbourside – 4.5 star

Sydney Expert’s Top Pick for parent comfort, this hotel is located by King Street Wharf and is my pick of Darling Harbour hotels. I have stayed here on several occasions, and I like both the property and the location.

You are steps away from kid-friendly activities and the dining strip of King Street Wharf and Barangaroo. A ferry wharf is a few hundred metres away, and it’s a 7-minute walk up to Wynyard Station (uphill, though).

Location: 55 Shelley Street King Street, Sydney
Kid-friendly features: indoor pool, bbq area, full-sized kitchen, grocery shopping service, babysitting, washer and dryer in the apartment, free internet for four devices.
Room types: one and two bedrooms (interconnecting) apartments can sleep up to 5.

Family Hotels in Sydney CBD

If you are on a whirlwind visit to Sydney that involves things like the zoo, the Opera House and the Manly ferry, it makes sense to base yourself near Town Hall or Circular Quay. Being at this end of the CBD means less reliance on public transport that can keep costs down and simplify getting around with a pram too.

This is a good part of Sydney to stay because:

• There is easy access to all forms of public transport
• The area is relatively flat so good from prams – and it’s a straight walk to the harbour

Main attractions here include

• Sydney Harbour/The Rocks
• Sydney Tower
• Main Shopping area
• Theatres and Cinemas
• Australian Museum, Art Gallery and Botanic Gardens

Family Accommodation Near Pitt Street and Hyde Park

The area around Pitt Street Mall is the city’s central shopping area. From here, you can walk to most of the major sites and attractions in under 20 minutes. It’s a pleasant spot for families with teens who might want to explore the shops. There is also plenty of space for little ones to run around in Hyde Park.

Swissotel Sydney – 5 star (Top pick for younger kids)

Swissotel was one of the first hotels to cater to kids with specially designed rooms for children aged 2–12 years. The hotel is literally on the top of one of the city’s biggest department stores and just a three-minute walk to Hyde Park. It is less than 10 minutes to Darling Harbour and 15 minutes to Circular Quay.

Dining tip: Head to the roof of Westfield for three rooftop dining options

Tip: Book kids’ rooms as early as you can as these go quickly.

Location: Level 8 reception, 68 Market St, Sydney
Room types: unique kids’ rooms with two extra-long double beds and interconnecting adult rooms.
Family-friendly facilities: complimentary internet, kids minibar, special kids patterned linens, toys, books (age-appropriate so advise ages when booking), pool, excellent kid meal options, babysitting is available.

Best Western Plus – Hotel Stellar – 4 Star

These apartments, just a few minutes walk from Hyde Park, are great for families because they can accommodate so many. Their three-bedroom apartments also have three bathrooms and can sleep up to 7 people, a rare find in this city.

The property is very close to Museum Station for easy airport train access. There is a supermarket just up on Oxford Street.

Location: 4 Wentworth Avenue Sydney
Room types: studios, two and three-bedroom apartments (apartments have two bathrooms) Can sleep up to 7 people
Family-friendly facilities: free wi-fi and pay-tv, large kitchen and dining table, onsite restaurant.
Costs: One child, 12 years old or younger, stays free when occupying the parent or guardian’s room, using existing bedding.

Hyde Park Inn – 4 star (Top pick for value)

Hyde Park Inn really delivers for families with free parking, light breakfast, wi-fi, and a newspaper. It’s located directly across the road from Hyde Park and Museum train station for easily commuting to the airport and around the city.

Buses to Bondi stop opposite. A supermarket is just a 5-minute walk away, and you can easily reach most sites on foot.
I have booked this for visiting family members on several occasions and have been very happy with the service and facilities.

Dining tip: Visit nearby Holy Basil for some of the best Lao food in the city

Location: 271 Elizabeth St, Sydney
Room types: standard and deluxe family rooms, sleep five people (deluxe rooms have bathtub and balcony), two-bedroom Apartments, sleep up to 6 people)
Family-friendly facilities: free self-service laundry, kitchenette, free parking (must book), free wi-fi, light continental breakfast provided to your room.
Costs: Children under one year free.

Fraser Suites Sydney – 5 Star

Fraser Suites Sydney are modern 5 star serviced apartments just 5 minutes walk from Town Hall station and only ten mins walk to Darling Harbour.

The apartments are very well furnished and offer a high level of comfort. It’s a bustling part of the city, so probably best for families past the pram stage as the footpaths are quite busy and crowded.

Location: 488 Kent St, Sydney,
Room types: two-bedroom apartments sleep 5
Family-friendly facilities: free wi-fi and newspaper, heated indoor pool, washer and dryer in the apartment, kitchenette, Nespresso machine, babysitting service available.
Deals: complimentary baby cots.

Family Hotels in Circular Quay and the Rocks

The York by Swiss-Belhotel 4 star

Located just 5 minutes walk from Wynyard Station and a short walk to Barangaroo and The Rocks. There are three types of apartments in this property: standard, superior and deluxe. The furnishings in the standard and superior are pretty dated. I would only book these if the price were excellent. The deluxe rooms have been more recently renovated and are much better value.

Dining Tip: Mio Bar and Cafe, just a few minutes’ walk away, was my favourite coffee haunt for years. The staff are fantastic, and the coffee is always good!

Location: 5 York St, Sydney
Room types: two-bedroom apartments sleep 5
Family-friendly facilities: free wi-fi and newspaper, outdoor pool, washer and dryer in the apartment, full kitchen and babysitting service available.
Cons: no baby cots available

Quay West Suites Sydney – 5 Star

With generously sized rooms, the smallest is 50sqm and some fantastic harbour views, these modern apartments are not in the budget category, but they offer a lot. Located between the Shangri La and the Four Seasons, it’s a short walk to Circular Quay and The Rocks. Trains and ferries are only a few minutes away, although there are some hills to negotiate if you don’t choose your route carefully.

Location: 98 Gloucester Street, The Rocks
Kid-friendly features: indoor pool, kitchen with dishwasher, babysitting available
Rooms: one and two-bedroom suites sleep, 4-6 guests.
Costs: up to 2 children (up to 12 years) stay free when occupying the parent or guardian’s room, using existing bedding.

Sydney Harbour YHA – Budget Pick

If you have not stayed at a youth hostel since your backpacker days, you may not realise that hostels today cater to all age groups. Sydney Harbour YHA in the Rocks offers rooftop views and many facilities for a no-frills family holiday.

We recently spent a weekend at this fabulous property. You can read our full review with lots of photos here.

Location: Harrington Street, The Rocks
Kid-friendly features: share kitchens and a BBQ offer cheap meal prep opportunities, a supermarket is ten mins walk away at Wynyard Station.
Rooms: 4 and 5-bed family rooms with private bathrooms.

Beachside Family Hotels in Sydney

For many people, Australia is synonymous with beach life. If you are after a beach holiday in Sydney for your family, then you have several areas to choose from. You will be mainly limited to Manly, Bondi or Coogee as far as hotels go.

If you are happy to book a holiday rental, you can look anywhere along the coast with good transport. The eastern beaches are a quick ride to the city, but the Northern beaches are more relaxed and entirely different in look and feel.

Klook.com

Where to Stay in Manly Beach with Kids

Manly has it all, ocean beaches, harbour beaches, beautiful walks of all descriptions, playgrounds, kid-friendly cafes and restaurants and all sorts of places to stay.

The trip, a 30-40 minute ferry ride across the harbour from the city to Manly, is gorgeous and a lovely way to commute. This feels like a real beach holiday destination. It’s busy but not as busy as Bondi and the Eastern Suburbs in regard to traffic, so it has a much more laid back vibe.

Check out our detailed guide on things to do in Manly

The Sebel Sydney Manly Beach Hotel

Located directly opposite Manly Beach and only a 5-minute walk to Manly wharf for city ferries. The family rooms feature a queen and two single beds. There are plenty of shops and restaurants nearby, and a few minutes’ walk away at Shelly Beach is a marine reserve perfect for learning how to snorkel.

We stayed here before my daughter’s wedding and loved both the view and the service. The apartments have everything you need to prepare meals and relax between exploring the city and swimming at the beach across the road.

Dining tip: The best fish and chips does not come with a beach view but grab some takeaway from Fishmongers to eat on the beach

Location: 8-13 South Steyne, Manly
Room types: studio and one-bedroom apartments can accommodate a max of 4 people.
Kid-friendly facilities: 2 swimming pools and a spa pool, guest laundry, babysitting service available.
Tips: The North tower rooms have beach views.

Manly Pacific

Dining tips: Choose from the mango bowl or the smashed avo from nearby Girdlers Cafe for some healthy eats to balance out the holiday treats.

Tips: Best stay mid-week if you are light sleepers, as weekends can be quite noisy from bars downstairs.

Location: 55 North Steyne Road, Manly,
Room types: studio and one and two-bedroom apartments can accommodate four people, two-bedroom apartments have two bathrooms. Kitchenette and laundry facilities in apartments.
Kid-friendly facilities: indoor play area, kids library and children’s TV cable channels, rooftop pool, spacious living room, across the road from the beach.

Quest Manly at the Wharf

On Manly’s harbour right by the wharf, Quest Manly is a large (53 rooms) property with plenty of space for large families. The apartments here are bright and sunny with picturesque harbour views.

It is not uncommon to see fairy penguins coming up onto the beach, opposite the hotel by the wharf in the evening.

Dining tip: Take a morning walk around to Little Manly Beach and visit the Kiosk for breakfast. The beach is perfect for the kids to play on, and the coffee will make you smile.

Location: 54a West Esplanade, Manly
Room types: studio and one and two-bedroom apartments can accommodate a max of 6 people; two-bedroom apartments have two bathrooms. A full-size kitchen and laundry facilities in apartments.
Kid-friendly facilities: small gym, guest laundry, spacious living area, supermarket at the door, babysitting service available

Manly has several vacation and holiday rental properties if you prefer a bit more space. It’s also perfect for younger families with safe swimming beaches and a relaxed pace. It’s like a holiday in a holiday.

• Marine Parade – 1 bedroom apartments or studios directly opposite Shelly Beach
• Waterfront on Manly Harbour – 1 bedroom absolute harbour front just 700 m from Store Beach
• Art Deco apartment – Sunny 2 bedroom apartment just steps from the harbour
• Tusan Villa Little Manly – 4 bedroom apartment directly opposite Little Manly Beach, water views!

Where to Stay in Bondi Beach with Kids

Bondi is probably more suited to teens and older kids than under 5s with its graffiti wall, skate park and reasonably wild surf. The streets have some pretty decent hills, and the Bondi to Coogee walk is not pram friendly.

The trip into the city can take 45 minutes in peak hour traffic, so it’s probably not the best option for first-time visitors or anyone on a short journey who wants to do lots of sightseeing. There is plenty to do in the area if you’re going to relax by the beach and make a few day trips to key city sites.

Read our detailed guide to the Bondi Coastal Walk so you can which parts are most family-friendly.

Adina Bondi Beach – 4.5 star

The Adina Bondi Beach is a reasonably new property just a 5-minute walk from Bondi Beach. The furnishings are modern, and the facilities are adequate for a week-long holiday in Sydney. Car parking is a premium in Bondi, so try to secure a deal that includes parking if you bring your car.

Dining Tips: Don’t miss the old-time favourite, the Gertrude and Alice bookshop/cafe around the corner, and be sure to treat yourself to a Gelato from Messina (Pandan and coconut is my pick)

Location: 69-73 Hall Street, Bondi Beach
Room types: studio and one and two and (1x) three-bedroom apartments can accommodate a max of 6 people; two-bedroom apartments have two bathrooms. There are full-size kitchen and laundry facilities in apartments.
Kid-friendly facilities: unlimited wi-fi for up to 4 devices, children’s TV channels, pool, small gym, shops and cafes at the door, babysitting service available

Summing Up

So now you have our thoughts on the best options for family hotel and apartment accommodation in Sydney. If you have questions, please pop over to our Facebook Group and ask us for help.

I have also written about budget hotels in Sydney and a detailed guide to the different parts of the city to help you get a lay of the land.

Our friends over at Little City Trips have put together some ideas on things you might like to check out with your family while you are in Sydney.

Also, while I am a big fan of the airport train for convenience and speed, a shuttle or private transfer service could be a better idea if you are arriving with kids in tow!

Have questions about things to see and do in Sydney?
Head over and join our Facebook Group and we will be happy to help

Have questions about things to see and do in Sydney?
Head over and join our Facebook Group and we will be happy to help