This is a topic we never saw ourselves writing about but after we unexpectedly found ourselves living at the airport for a few months earlier this year (that’s a whole other story!) we decided why not impart the knowledge we gained about this area.

With dozens of Sydney Airport hotels to choose from, in different areas, it can be very confusing to work out which is the best for you.

We’re going to share everything you need to know about the Sydney Airport area plus the four hotels we lived in and other options that we checked out.

Interested in comparing the airport to other areas to stay in Sydney? We have you covered on that too, in this post.

An overview of Sydney Airport Hotels

Sydney only has one airport which Sydney Kingsford Smith. It is split into three terminals - T1 International, T2 - Domestic and T3 Qantas Domestic. Unlike the majority of cities around the world, Sydney Airport is pretty close to the city.

The airport is based in the suburb of Mascot, an area which has seen rapid development with new build apartment blocks and hotels shooting up all the time. This means you have quite a decent choice of accommodation and lots of hotels outside of the terminals can be classed as a “Sydney Airport hotel”. This is especially true for many in Mascot which are within walking distance of the Domestic Terminals (well, so long as you don’t have heavy luggage with you!).

Sydney Airport Hotels - Everything you need to know

The biggest drawback to staying at the airport if you are not doing a lay over but actually using it as a base is that getting to the beaches is hard. You will have to take the train into the city and then a bus if you want to visit places like Bondi, which takes well over an hour. However, often the right airport hotel is significantly cheaper than those in the city and links to the centre of Sydney are excellent. Depending on what you’re planning to do an airport hotel can make a lot of sense for a longer stay too.

10 things you should know about Sydney Airport hotels

With so many options, there’s a lot more to know about than you think. Here are 10 insider tips you should know before you book your Sydney Airport hotel.

1 - Only one hotel is actually in the airport

Yep, this was a surprise to us as well! There is only one “airport hotel” in the airport, and that is Rydges. This hotel is based in the International Terminal and is the best option if you arrive late from/or leave very early for an international flight.

All the other hotels are either in Mascot or the Arncliffe area.

2 - Sydney Airport is very close to the city

Like we mentioned, Sydney Airport is only 12km from the centre of the city. This means it is only a 10 minute train ride or a 15 minute taxi ride to the CBD.

With this in mind, you may not actually need an airport hotel. Unlike many international airports, the majority of hotels within the city are a short distance away. It’s also pricey to get in and out of the terminal so Rydges would not be a good base if you are staying a few days (Mascot does not have a surcharge though).

So unless you have a very short turnaround between flights, you may be better off making the effort to go into the city.

Sydney Airport Hotels - Sydney City isn't far away

3 - Not all “airport hotels” include free transfers/shuttles

Unless you plan on staying at the Rydges, this is another aspect you may want to consider, as few hotels offer free shuttles or transfers to the airport. At the time of writing, only the Adina offers a free shuttle to the airport that runs at set times. You can pay for one at different times though.

All other hotels charge for an airport transfer, which - whilst it is the cheapest way to get to the airport - will still set you back at least $8 per person. All shuttles need to be pre-booked and this is even more important when you fly into Sydney - no shuttles wait around to pick up customers, they only arrive if they have been booked.

There are no buses that run to the airport, only shuttles, the train and taxis. An alternative is to book a car, as you can find free street parking for up to 8 hours per time around Coward Street, Mascot. Not only can you explore more, but sometimes you can hire a car for a day for less than the cost of two shuttles for two people!

If you have carry on luggage, you can get away with walking from the majority of hotels in Mascot to the Domestic Terminals. However, if you are flying internationally this isn’t possible, you will have to use a form of transport.

4 - The train from the airport has a huge surcharge

If you thought the train would be a cheap option, think again! To protect the taxi industry, the government has implemented a big surcharge for anyone getting on and off at either train station for Sydney Airport. At $14.87 per person it may not be cheaper than getting a taxi, especially if you have a group of more than three people!

Seeing as you will probably still need to walk from the train station to your hotel, taking the train becomes a much less appealing option.

5 - Taxi rides and Ubers aren’t cheap either

Sorry for more bad news, but despite many of the hotels only being six kilometres away from the International Terminal and three kilometres from the Domestic Terminals, the fees that taxis charge are exorbitant. We’ve stayed in the Meriton Central several times and still been confused as to how we were charged $25 for a 8 minute ride.

Uber’s aren’t much better either and will set you back at least $20 - that’s if the driver isn’t trying to go the scenic route to tick up the fare, something I’ve seen happen a lot at the airport. It’s worth caching where you’re going on Google Maps and checking it to make sure you’re not been driven around the block.

However, even at $25, it’s cheaper than the train for a group of two or more and more convenient than the shuttle.

6 - There are some brilliant Aparthotels here that are much cheaper than anywhere else in Sydney

So here’s some good news for you! The aparthotels around the airport are some of the best value in Sydney and have a lot going for them. If you want a place with a kitchen to prepare your own food which isn’t in the middle of nowhere, then the Sydney Airport hotel options will often be your best choices.

We’ve stayed in several of these and found that they are frequently the cheapest options in the city and are really comfortable. Some like the Meritons even have pools and gyms on site, and the rooms are modern.

This also leads onto our next top tip.

7 - You may be able to snag a bargain through Groupon or Scoopon

If you are savvy, you may be able to get really good rates at the airport hotels. We’ve seen the Adina Sydney Airport on Groupon many times, with a deal that includes a room upgrade, free parking, late check-out, a bottle of wine and a really reduced rate (we’ve twice got it for $120 AUD). Just remember to check the black out dates.

Similarly, Scoopon frequently has hotel deals which include a lot of the accommodation options around Sydney Airport.

Our final cost saving tip would be to look at the Meriton Eminence Program. This is Meriton’s own loyalty program which offers discounts to those who sign up. You’ll need to allow at least a fortnight for them to process it, but we’ve made savings from this loyalty scheme with them before.

8 - Mascot Train Station is only 1 stop away from the airport and 5 stops away from Circular Quay (for the Opera House and Bridge)

Another benefit of staying by any of the “airport hotels” in Mascot is the public transport connections. It is just one stop away from the airport on the train and five stops from Circular Quay - the centre of all tourist activities in Sydney.

This means that even on a short layover, you can check out a few things in the city really easily.

9 - There aren’t many good dining options, but there is a big supermarket and most hotels have Deliveroo services

A drawback of all the airport hotels is the lack of options for good food. The airport and Mascot is not known for its dining scene, and it is severely lacking - the less said about the coffee in this area, the better. If you want take out pizza, fast food or Chinese you are going to be fine though.

However, if you are staying in an aparthotel in Mascot, then there’s a huge Woolworths to buy groceries so you can cook for yourself. The kitchens in the aparthotels are well stocked with utensils and cooking equipment so you can whip up anything you like.

Many hotels have also partnered up with Deliveroo to offer food deliveries from all kinds of restaurants around Syndey.

10 - There are a lot of car hire options

The final benefit of the Sydney Airport hotels are the car hire options. A lot of car hire companies operate from Mascot with a free shuttle to and from the airport. We’ve regularly snagged a deal with East Coast Car Rentals on King Street and there is also Bayswater Car Rentals (No Birds) that has a depot in Mascot.

The other benefit is that if you search, Mascot has a lot more free parking options than many areas in the city and the beaches. Coward Street for instance has huge stretches of free parking for up to 8 hours per time, and free over night between 8pm and 8am.

The best Sydney Airport hotels

These are the best Sydney Airport hotels and everything you need to know about them to help you choose which to stay in.

Best airport hotel - The Branksome
Best luxury option - The Pullman
Best for convenience (international) - Rydges
Best for international layover - Mercure Sydney International
Best for convenience (domestic) - Mantra Hotel
Best value - Meriton Coward Street
Cheapest Airport Hotel - Ibis Budget

In the International Terminal - Rydges Sydney Airport

Type: Mid-range Hotel
Cost: $$$$$
Distance from Domestic Terminals: 2.6 km (7 minute drive)
Distance from International Terminal: 0 m (short walk)

What we like

Out of all the options on the list, this is the only one we would actually class as an “airport hotel” as it is literally on the grounds of the airport! If you are transferring between international flights, Rydges is by far the most convenient option of any on this list.

The rooms are a reasonable size and really nicely furnished. If you need a comfy place to sleep and literally only want to rest between flights, then this is the best option for you.

What we don’t like

It’s a pretty pricey option and for the same money you can get a lot more in the city - convenience does seemingly come at a cost! If you are a light sleeper, then this is also an option to avoid. The sound proofing takes the edge off the planes, but doesn’t guarantee quiet. The 11pm curfew will mean you won’t suffer this throughout the night though.

Check the latest prices on: Booking.com | Hotels Combined | Tripadvisor

Near the International Terminal

Novotel Sydney international Airport

Type: Mid-Range hotel
Cost: $$$$
Distance from International Terminal: <2 km
Distance from Domestic Terminals: 4.3 km (6 minute drive)

What we like

The Novotel is conveniently close to the International Terminal and looks out on the Kogarah Golf Course, so you get the convenience of proximity to the airport without an ugly view.

This hotel delivers what you expect from a Novotel - nice modern room, with a decent amount of space, and a gym, pool and restaurant on-site.

It tends to be cheaper than the Rydges whilst still being pretty close to the International Airport. You can also walk 12 minutes to get to Wolli Creek Train Station if you want to go into the city.

What we don’t like

We’ve read a few complaints about the shuttle system, which requires prior booking which isn’t easy to understand. You can technically walk to the airport, but it’s not easy to navigate and alongside a pretty busy main road!

There have also been complaints about the air conditioning not working or being noisy.

Check the latest prices on: Booking.com | Hotels Combined | Tripadvisor

CKS Sydney Airport

Type: Mid-range Motel
Cost: $$$
Distance from International Terminal: 1.3 km
Distance from Domestic Terminals: 4.5 km (7 minute drive)

What we like

The CKS Sydney Airport used to be the Quality Inn and the new ownership have refurbished the rooms. This property still has the characteristics of a motel with parking outside the rooms, and the prices are still pretty low compared to most airport hotels.

Like the Novotel, it has the great location, near the International Terminal and a 10 minute walk from Wolli Creek Train Station if you did want to get to the city.

What we don’t like

Like with many motels, things can get a little noisy, especially with late arrivals from the airport. The bathrooms also seem to be pretty small and it does seem to get mixed reviews between those who think it is a bargain and those who expected a lot more (despite the cost).

Check the latest prices on: Booking.com | Hotels Combined | Tripadvisor

Hotels near the Domestic Terminal

Ibis Budget

Type: Budget hotel
Cost: $$
Distance from Domestic Terminals: 850m
Distance from International Terminal: 4.5 km (10 minute drive)
Distance from Mascot Train Station: 1.3 km (17 minute walk)

What we like

The biggest asset of the Ibis Budget is the price. This is as cheap as it gets near Sydney Airport and its usually quite a lot cheaper than anything else. It’s also one of the closest to the Domestic Terminals, and at 850 metres it’s possible to walk too - so long as you don’t have too much luggage!

If you’re looking for a cheap place to sleep between flights, then this is your best choice.

What we don’t like

Well, you get what you pay for here. The rooms are pretty small and - whilst they are clean - are a little uninspiring. It’s basic and is in essence a bed to sleep on for the night.

The only food options are McDonalds and KFC round the corner from the hotel, and the combination of the highway one side and the road the other can make it noisy.

Check the latest prices on: Booking.com | Hotels Combined | Tripadvisor

Mantra on Sydney Airport

Type: Mid-range hotel
Cost: $$$
Distance from Domestic Terminals: 850m
Distance from International Terminal: 4.5 km (10 minute drive)
Distance from Mascot Train Station: 1.3 km (17 minute walk)

What we like

The Mantra is a step up from its next door neighbour - the Ibis Budget. If location is key (ie proximity to the Domestic Airport) but you don’t want to sacrifice comfort, then this is your best option.

The rooms are nicely furnished and are comfortable, and there’s a restaurant onsite that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Like the Ibis Budget, you can walk to the Domestic Terminals so long as you don’t have too much luggage.

What we don’t like

Whilst the Mantra is a step up in quality from the Ibis Budget, the rooms are still tiny. At 19 square metres, the rooms are compact and don’t leave much room to move around in. The extra cost is essentially for nicer beds and furnishings in a small room!

Like the Ibis Budget, the Mantra is truly an airport hotel and feels cut off from any train station or way to get anywhere else. If you do have luggage, you will pay the same price for a shuttle to take you 850m as you would any other hotel in the Mascot area.

Check the latest prices on: Booking.com | Hotels Combined | Tripadvisor

The Branksome Hotel & Residences

Type: Luxury Apart-hotel
Cost: $$$$$
Distance from Domestic Terminals: 1.3 km (5 minute drive)
Distance from International Terminals: 3.9 km (8 minute drive)
Distance from Mascot Train Station: 1 km (15 minute walk)

What we like

The Branksome is one of the best Sydney Airport hotels, but it is frequently one of the most expensive. The rooms here are big, modern and have a fully kitted out kitchen to make your meals in. Even the Studio Suites here feel like they have a good amount of room, but 1 - 2 bedroom suites feel like a mini home away from home. It’s plushly furnished and we’ve enjoyed it every time we’ve stayed. It’s also pretty quiet.

It has a pool, gym and sauna, as well as its own restaurant in-house. The nearest grocery store is a five minute walk away (the IGA on Botany Road).

What we don’t like

It’s a lot more expensive than the majority of options in the area and unless you get a good rate it is probably not worth the extra money versus some of the other aparthotels which are also good. We didn’t like paying extra for the shuttle when we had already spent a lot on the room.

This is the place many airlines use to accommodate passengers on cancelled flights, it can be very busy and slow to check-in. It’s still the best place we’ve stayed by the airport but we do think on balance it’s over priced.

Check the latest prices on: Booking.com | Hotels Combined | Tripadvisor

Stamford Plaza on Sydney Airport

Type: High-end hotel
Cost: $$$$$
Distance from Domestic Terminals: 900m (13 minute walk)
Distance from International Terminals: 3.6km (7 minute drive)
Distance from Mascot Train Station: 1.2km (12 minute walk)

What we like

The Stamford Plaza is one of the few top-end hotels near Sydney Airport and offers a lot of convenience - a short drive from both terminals, restaurants on site and a pool with a fitness centre. The rooms are reasonably sized, plush and comfortable.

It’s location means you are short distance from Mascot Train Station if you want to go into the city, and around the corner from East Coast Car Rental if you fancy going a little further afield.

The Stamford Plaza Mascot - Sydney Airport Hotels

What we don’t like

The Stamford Plaza is overpriced and the rooms really do feel pretty dated. Like a lot of the top-end hotels in Sydney, the Stamford Plaza is due a facelift to be brought up to the modern day.

The other big problem is the cost of any food and drink. We’ve heard of $10 bottles of water!!

Check the latest prices on: Booking.com | Hotels Combined | Tripadvisor

Citadines Connect Sydney Airport

Type: Mid range boutique hotel
Cost: $$$$
Distance from Domestic Terminals: 1 km
Distance from International Terminal: 4.9 km (10 minute drive)
Distance from Mascot Train Station: 1.1 km (14 minute walk)

What we like

If stylish, modern decor is what you look for in a hotel, then the Citadines Connect is the place for you. The rooms (especially the bathrooms) are beautifully styled with nice touches. They are also comfortable and a great place to rest up between flights.

The location also means you aren’t too far from public transport nor any part of the airport. The Citadines Connect has a rooftop cinema - a really cool addition to the hotel!

What we don’t like

Food is a little tricky to come by around here, especially as the rooms don’t have a kitchen like the Branksome and Quest hotels nearby. They do offer a 24 hour “food shop” which offers self-service food, but you will probably want to order a Deliveroo if you stay here.

Whilst the rooms are beautiful, they are pretty small at the cheaper end. You can get a bigger room, but it will cost a lot more.

However, the average scores of the reviews see it consistently in the top three Sydney Airport hotels.

Check the latest prices on: Booking.com | Hotels Combined | Tripadvisor

Quest Mascot

Type: Mid-range Aparthotel
Cost: $$$$
Distance from Domestic Terminals: 1 km (4 minute drive)
Distance from International Terminal: 4 km (8 minute drive)
Distance from Mascot Train Station: 950 m (12 minute walk)

What we like

Quest Hotels have a good reputation in Australia and the Quest in Mascot is no exception, we haven’t stayed in a bad one yet. This Aparthotel comes with a fully equipped kitchen, which is ideal if you want to avoid the expensive cost of dining out. The rooms here are of a decent size, comfortable and clean.

What we don’t like

Compared to the Meritons up the road, the rooms at the Quest fall short. For a similar price (and often less) you will get a one bedroom suite (instead of a studio room) that is almost double the size in both Meritons. Food options are incredibly limited here as well, so it is very likely that you will end up cooking in the kitchen in the room or ordering a Deliveroo!

Check the latest prices on: Booking.com | Hotels Combined | Tripadvisor

Travelodge Hotel Sydney Airport

Type: Budget hotel
Cost: $$$
Distance from Domestic Terminals: 850m
Distance from International Terminal: 4.5 km (10 minute drive)
Distance from Mascot Train Station: 750 m (10 minute walk)

What we like

The Travelodge is what you would expect from the name - no fuss, decent standard rooms for a price which won’t break the bank. It isn’t as cheap as some of the options around, but it’s better than the cheapest on the market. It’s clean, comfortable and tucked away from the main road so it is generally quieter.

If you are cost-conscious, but can’t face the Ibis Budget, then the Travelodge is a decent option.

What we don’t like

The rooms here are pretty small, you don’t get much more than a bed, desk and a bathroom! Whilst it does have a restaurant on-site, the reviews aren’t great and it’s a walk to find anywhere else to eat.

Check the latest prices on: Booking.com | Hotels Combined | Tripadvisor

Pullman

Type: High-end hotel
Cost: $$$$
Distance from Domestic Terminals: 1.3 km (4 minute drive)
Distance from International Terminal: 5 km (11 minute drive)
Distance from Mascot Train Station: 550 m (7 minute walk)

What we like

The rooms here are big, stylish and immaculate. Like the better Accor properties, the Pullman at Sydney Airport is stylish and feels like you’re in a modern and fashionable hotel. The Deluxe King Rooms have stand alone bathtubs, which is exactly the kind of thing Cat loves after a long flight!

The Pullman’s service is impeccable as well. Once we weren’t even staying here, but passing by, and needed to stop for a few minutes on their outdoor sofa in the shade (my dad had hurt his leg). We were immediately offered a cool towel, a bottle of water and offers of assistance. If that isn’t service when we weren’t even guests I don’t know what is!

What we don’t like

The biggest difficulty with the Pullman is the pricetag! For all that luxury you sure pay for it, making it one of the more expensive options around Sydney Airport. You may find better value at other hotels.

Check the latest prices on: Booking.com | Hotels Combined | Tripadvisor

Ibis

Type: Budget hotel
Cost: $$
Distance from Domestic Terminals: 1.3 km (4 minute drive)
Distance from International Terminal: 5.1 km (11 minute drive)
Distance from Mascot Train Station: 600m (7 minute walk)

What we like

The Ibis is just what you would expect from an Ibis Hotel - clean, comfortable and at a relatively cheap price. It may be minimalist, but it is a great place to rest without breaking the bank. The staff here always receive praise for going the extra yard, something you don’t often see at the budget end.

What we don’t like

The rooms here are some of the smallest of all Sydney Airport hotels at 16 square metres! Whilst the rooms are comfortable, they are a little characterless and can seem sterile.

Whilst the Ibis is cheap, it often isn’t that much cheaper than the competition in the area, so we’d recommend spending a little more for much better value.

Check the latest prices on: Booking.com | Hotels Combined | Tripadvisor

Holiday Inn

Type: Mid-range hotel
Cost: $$$$
Distance from Domestic Terminals: 1.5 km (5 mins)
Distance from International Terminal: 4.1 km (8 minute drive)
Distance from Mascot Train Station: 350m (4 minute walk)

What we like

You know what you get with a Holiday Inn and the one at Sydney Airport is no different. Good mid-range rooms that are large, comfortable and immaculately clean. Location-wise it is also good, a short distance to Mascot Train Station if you want to visit the city and a short distance from the airport.

What we don’t like

The Holiday Inn is a mid-range hotel with a mid-range price tag. Whilst it isn’t overly expensive, you will probably find better value in hotels like either of the Meritons which are cheaper.

Check the latest prices on Booking.com | Hotels Combined | Tripadvisor

The Adina

Type: Mid-range Aparthotel
Cost: $$$
Distance from Domestic Terminals: 1.5 km (5 mins)
Distance from International Terminal: 4.1 km (8 minute drive)
Distance from Mascot Train Station: 350m (4 minute walk)

What we like

The Adina is in a great location for our kind of airport layover - a short walk from the train station, very close to the airport and on one of the quieter roads in the area. The rooms in the Adina are modern and really well kitted out with a fully equipped kitchen. The one bedroom apartments also have a washer and drier included.

We’ve stayed at the Adina a couple of times on a Groupon Deal which made it the best value in the area. Look out for this deal being available as you will get a room upgrade, free wine, late check out and free parking.

What we don’t like

The Adina feels like it’s out of date with its wifi policy - free slow connection or a normal connection for a fee. That slow connection is very, very slow. The studio rooms can feel pretty small as well, so we recommend opting for the one bedroom apartment if you can.

The kitchens at the Adina are quite small, but it does have everything you need.

Check the latest prices on: Booking.com | Hotels Combined | Tripadvisor

Meriton Central Mascot

Type: High-end Aparthotel
Cost: $$$$
Distance from Domestic Terminals: 2.1 km (7 minute drive)
Distance from International Terminal: 4.7 km (11 minute drive)
Distance from Mascot Train Station: 400 m (5 minute walk)

What we like

Meriton is a very good hotel brand in Australia and you know what you are getting when you book. There are two airport options to choose from and the Central Mascot hotel has a lot going for it: big rooms that are well equipped with everything you need and they are nicely furnished (although all Meritons seem to have a grey colour palette which is a bit dull!). The rooms feel spacious and the kitchen is a good size.

It has a pool, gym and jacuzzi if you fancy a little exertion during your stay. It is also has free and fast wifi as well as a washer and drier in every room.

If you are planning a trip into the city or to cook for yourself, the Meriton Central is a great option as it a short walk from both Woolworths Supermarket (literally a couple of minutes away) and the train station. The Meriton Central is also one of the quietest airport hotels we stayed in and we rarely heard any planes fly overhead or any road noise.

What we didn’t like

It’s always worth comparing Central with Coward Street as the prices can differ substantially. Central is often more expensive, so be mindful of that.

The pool can get pretty busy, and families seemed to love it so it’s not a quiet place to swim, the gym however was always dead as a dodo.

The final downside is that the service isn’t brilliant: you will find things missing in the room etc, although they are always fixed with a smile. We’re being picky here too as we did stay for a month, you probably wouldn’t notice a thing on a short stop.

Check the latest prices on: Booking.com | Hotels Combined | Tripadvisor

Meriton Coward Street

Type: High-end Aparthotel
Cost: $$$$
Distance from Domestic Terminals: 1.8 km (5 minute drive)
Distance from International Terminal: 4.4 km (9 minute drive)
Distance from Mascot Train Station: 450 m (6 minute walk)

What we like

If you were going to ask us for our top pick, then the Meriton Coward Street is probably it. Out of all the Sydney Airport hotel options, the Meriton Coward Street threads the needle for value, comfort, facilities, convenient location and everything you need. The rooms here are quiet (make sure you ask for one that faces the courtyard or away from the road) and they feel pretty big and well equipped, including a washer and drier in every room.

There’s also a pool, jacuzzi, gym and sauna on site which few people ever use and there’s a coffee shop on the ground floor if you don’t fancy venturing far for your morning brew. It’s only a six minute walk to Woolworths if you are going to cook for yourself and it’s a short walk from Mascot Train Station if you want to venture into the city.

It’s also a great place to have a car as there is ample free street parking on Coward Street and the neighbouring residential area. Service was always fab here and we rate it more highly than Meriton Central.

What we don’t like

The biggest problem is if you are put in a room that faces Botany Road. This can be noisy a lot of the time, and even rooms facing Coward Street get noise. Make sure you request a room that faces the courtyard or away from the roads when you check in (we’ve stayed more times than we can count and have always been given a quiet room when we asked).

Another quirk is that the Coward Street Meriton doesn’t always participate in loyalty schemes of hotel booking sites - for instance you won’t accrue any reward nights with Hotels.com if that’s your booking site of choice, but the nearby Meriton Central does.

Check the latest prices on: Booking.com | Hotels Combined | Tripadvisor

Further afield

Novotel Brighton Beach

Type: Mid-range hotel
Cost: $$$$$
Distance from Domestic Terminals: 7 km (10 minute drive)
Distance from International Terminal: 5.3 km (8 minute drive)

What we like

If you want your airport hotel by the beach, then this is the one for you! Yes, if you venture a little further away, you can actually stay by the beach for your airport stopover! Many of the rooms have a balcony overlooking the water and you are only footsteps away from having your feet on the sand - a blessing if you want fresh air and a real escape between flights.

The rooms have recently been refurbished and the response is positive. The hotel also has plenty of dining options around which are much better than all the other ‘airport hotels’.

What we don’t like

The price is very high, especially when you compare it to what else you can get around the airport and in the city. The Novotel Brighton Beach is priced at the very top end of all hotels in Sydney, which doesn’t seem quite right.

You will probably find better value elsewhere, but not many hotels in Sydney look over a beach!

Check the latest prices on: Booking.com | Hotels Combined | Tripadvisor