Central Railway Hotel

Central Railway Hotel is an attractive four-story property with white railed balconies from top to bottom, fronted with leafy palms. It definitely has budget motel vibes, and rooms are accessed from external corridors. Walls are original light brick, with white interiors, and floors are tiled throughout. A small reception leads through to the communal courtyard to the rear, with sofas and table seating, where guests gather for alfresco dining or a morning coffee. It's a quiet, functional hotel that has been well-maintained, with a variety of room sizes, so it's a popular budget option for family or friend groups. 

Central Railway Hotel is in Redfern, on the outskirts of the downtown area. It's an artsy neighborhood with lots of trendy bars and restaurants. The hotel itself is on a leafy and largely residential street, a five-minute walk from the main strip on Redfern Street. It's a five-minute walk to Prince Alfred Park, where there's an excellent public outdoor pool. The hotel is between Redfern and Central Stations, each are about a 10-minute walk from the hotel and link easily to attractions on Darling Harbour, the city center malls, and to the Opera House and Botanic Gardens, with a journey time of around 20 minutes. Alternatively, buses run regularly from a stop opposite the hotel. Train connections from Redfern Station to the airport take 20 minutes, or it's about a 15-minute drive. 

Rooms at the Central Railway Hotel are studios -- with small kitchenettes containing microwaves, toasters, small fridges, sinks, and electric kettles, plus tableware. It's a shame they don't also include stovetops. Decor is simple, but fresh, with geometric printed curtains and bedding plus hues of white and aqua. Beds take up much of the living space. Configurations include triple and quad rooms, with top-floor Studio Family Rooms sleeping up to five. It's worth noting that although the hotel is only three floors high, there's no elevator. Most rooms have sofa beds to accommodate extra guests, though they're not comfortable. Aside from the top-floor rooms, most also have balconies with furniture. Other amenities include air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, irons, iPod docking stations, and free Wi-Fi. Bathrooms are likewise simple, with plain white tiling plus shower/tub combos. Toiletries and hairdryers come standard.

Central Railway Hotel is a budget hotel, and for those who prefer a more independent holiday, it provides some good optional extras. The shared courtyard area has sofas and table seating, plus vending machines -- including hot drinks. Breakfast boxes including cereal, milk, dried fruit, and juice are provided for free. A self-service laundry room is a useful addition, and there's an underground car park, though this operates on a first-come-first-served basis and requires an extra fee. Guests can book free passes to Prince Alfred Park public outdoor pool, a few minutes away on foot, which has a lap pool plus leisure pool and kids' splash pad. Discounted access to a local gym is also available. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel.