Payments made by partners impact the order of prices displayed. Room types may vary.
The listings of booking offers for each property take into account the compensation paid to us by our partners. Prices shown may be for varying room types. Prices displayed are the lowest available, corresponding to the least expensive room type available, as provided from our partners as of the time of the user’s search.
Stretching across two iconic heritage-listed buildings—The Clare Bar and the Carlton & United Breweries Administration Building—the 69-room boutique hotel has been constructed with acute attention to aesthetics and consideration for retaining the interesting features of both buildings.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
1 Kensington Street, Sydney, New South Wales 2008 Australia
The Old Clare By Ode Hotels
599 reviews
Getting there
Great for walkers
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travellers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
If you are looking for a small, unique, eclectic and funky hotel in Sydney, this is the one for you. The staff is world class, especially Georgie. The rooms are relatively spartan, but extremely comfortable and quiet. I especially enjoyed the glass cube shower. The staff truly enjoy their work and exceed all expectations. Not request goes unsatisfied. Want special evening maid service, no problem. Need to mail a post card and have no international stamp, not an issue. Want late check out or early check in, no problem. The staff is exceptionally knowledgeable about the entire Sydney area and can provide fantastic advice. While staying at the Old Clare, be sure to check out the interesting restaurants along the Kensington alley.
Read more
Date of stay: January 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Our first stay and I fell in love with this hotel.
From the warm welcome and helpfulness of the front desk staff to the super cool, large room everything was spot on and beyond.
The room was spacious without clutter, stylish design led furnishings and a bathtub for a pre-evening out soak. A huge and comfortable bed.
The attention to detail in retaining the details of the old building during renovation are amazing and the way these have been incorporated and 'celebrated' by the features to preserve them is superb.
The hotel bar was buzzing and equally retained the old charm of its past history as an old city pub.
Having a Jason Atherton restaurant in the hotel, Kensington St Social, was an added bonus and a brilliant dining experience.
I chose the hotel as it was close to Surry Hills an area I'd heard many great things about as Sydney's latest hipster area. Location was fantastic and a short walk away from Central station for travelling further afield in the city.
The Old Clare did not disappoint, well done on creating a wonderful place that's a home from home.
Read more
Date of stay: December 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Onze laatste nacht in Australië na 2 maanden reizen in dit hotel was een goede keuze! Het pand is prachtig gerestaureerd met een industriële look. Het personeel is persoonlijk en vriendelijk. Een prima combinatie tussen chique en casual. Een relaxte afsluiter. Het restaurant en de rooftop bar waren gesloten vanwege australia day, maar het ontbijt en de cocktails aan de bar waren heerlijk. De kamer is prachtig ontworpen en de bedden liggen heerlijk. Vergeet geen kijkje te nemen op het dakterras. Vanuit het zwembad hebben genoten van De Australia Day Fireworks!
Read more
Date of stay: January 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stayed here on the weekend for one night and absolutely loved the hotel and everything about my stay. I booked The Clare Room - was upgraded to a loft room - but had my heart set on the Clare Room so the lovely staff let me switch back. The facilities at the hotel are top notch - fantastic bar - rooftop pool - restaurants as part of the hotel but also many food and cafe options in the side streets surrounding the hotel. Highly recommended. Beautiful hotel.
Read more
Date of stay: January 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Boutiques always have their own feel to them. Sometimes it charm or quaintness, funky or quirky, luxury or authentic but the Old Clare has a vibe - a vibe that is hard to describe but you know it starts from the bar and emanates throughout the property as it weaves together its mix of modern and industrial architecture. It may be a window into a wall, a saved historical item, the attention to decor and details within the room, or just the blending of sight lines from old to new that gives the Old Clare a voice. You can hear her talking to you, inviting you to back to the building's heart - the retro bar where all the energy comes from. Outside the property you're in the Chippendale neighborhood with a very short walk to the main train line and another couple blocks from the high streets of downtown. Plenty of food nearby and with local universities the area has a youthful feel that keeps you moving. If you're a tourist the harbor is a taxi ride away but if you're looking for a new area to explore then the Old Clare is a great choice.
Read more
Date of stay: August 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Responded 5 Feb 2017
Hi Hard2Want, It is always so lovely to hear from a guest who had a fantastic time at the hotel. Our architects and design team worked tirelessly to create an atmosphere within all our spaced that really emphasised all the best things about our buildings and their heritage. We've very lucky to be in the heart of Sydney, allowing those guest who stay with us to experience the real Sydney, along with all the fantastic hidden gems in the local area. We look forward to welcoming you back to The Old Clare Hotel soon.
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
The staff are extremely nice & helpful. The room is clean, big & well designed. The location is good, surrounded by many restaurants. It is also close to the Central station, just 5-10 mins walk.
I love everything here, highly recommended.
Read more
Date of stay: December 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We stayed for one night. The service was good, the room clean and everything worked well. The free WiFi in the room was also good. They have a lap pool on the roof, which is quite nice. The bar was not so great. Their list of cocktails was mediocre and expensive. The hotel is a bit on the expensive side, but, quite a nice place to stay.
Read more
Date of stay: January 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Responded 5 Feb 2017
Hi Dajoma, We're glad you enjoyed the services and the room. Our rooftop pool is a great way to cool off after a long hot day in Sydney. We're sorry to hear you didn't enjoy your experience at the bar, we're known for our cocktails so it's a shame to hear you weren't impressed with our offering. We look forward to welcoming you back to Sydney soon.
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Great spot. They have used the space well and the finishes to the room were well done.
Had a very enjoyable dinner in Kensington Street Social. We sat at the chef's table area which had a good ambience. The sommelier was excellent and appeared to be well across a good wine list. Attentive waiters and front of house too.
Service in the hotel was good. The bar was quirky and cool if you like that sort of thing but we didn't hang around there. I agree with some of the other posts that the "pool bar" is a bit of an oversell - wasn't open - but the pool area itself is compact but nice.
We'll definitely be back.
Read more
Date of stay: January 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We loved the industrial / design look to rid retro space - an old Brewery and Pub joined together to form the hotel / bar and restaurant It had all the wow design features you could ever want - lamps - iconic pieces rehashed ( dentists chair as a plant holder ) brick walls and loads, loads more. So if you're a hipster seeking the thrills of such a place this is a real find The checkin was welcoming and our receptionist enjoyed telling us so much about the space and the features Our room was large and was and all in one bedroom / bathroom affair with just about enough privacy in for the toilet (?) The theme follows through with more iconic pieces in the rooms - ours a top of a Mini car engine mounted on a car jack as the table lamp . The only criticism is the same one I have for hotels like this - they take the design to such an extent that comfort is often set aside - so the wood Ercol sofa was one of the hardest and most uncomfortable I have sat on for a while - but I suppose you sometimes have to suffer for the look and feel it achieves ! I would recommend this place and it's convenient , trendy location for anyone visiting Sydney
Read more
Date of stay: January 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The actual renovation is pretty wonderful in how they have blended the old and the new. But it's not double glazed so there is street noise. The showers in the double rooms are see through which is embarrassing if one of you brings people back to the room while the other showers. The pillows are ridiculously thick, making my first night's sleep uncomfortable but we got slightly lower ones after that. All of our party had trouble with them.The bedding was lovely and the room was really well appointed. Breakfast has no buffet but the menu items are delicious. The bar was billed as having craft beer but had only 3 brews on tap. We ordered food twice in the bar and both times the orders were screwed up. The staff were generally very helpful and polite, especially at reception. The pool bar was also oversold in that the bar was not open once during our stay of a week. There were only 6 pool loungers, which were full on several days but also there was no real shade because the umbrellas couldn't deal with the wind. There is a gym which I generally had to myself. It has 3 treadmill type things, a bench and free weights, none over 10 kg. Rather less than the website shows. So pretty limited. All in all I would stay there again but would bear in mind that two of the features we went there for: the craft beer and the pool bar were not actually as advertised.
Read more
Date of stay: January 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello BordersTD,
I can assure you it's a great neighbourhood. Chippendale is one Sydney's most exciting areas. Of course, as the GM of The Old Clare Hotel I would say that, but please hear me out.
It's true, Chippendale does not have the most glorious past but it has completely changed over the last years,
At the hotel, we regularly encounter guests who share that old stories of Chippendale made them hesitant but that they are so glad they came. Aside from a large number ion Tripadvisor reviews that point out how good the hood is, I suggest you google for Stephen Todd's article on Chippendale in the Australian Financial Review (sorry, I am not allowed to post links).
And I urge you to contact The Super Concierge at the hotel with all your questions, thoughts or simply for recommendations.I will be very surprised if the stay with us will not be to your liking.
If we can assist with anything at all, please do let us know, it's that we're here for.
Looking forward to seeing you at The Old Clare.
My best,
Timo Bures
General Manager
It might depend on the room. I've stayed a few times and in a few types of rooms. In one, it was really a one person room if you're worried about privacy while you have a bath as there is no door but the toilet and shower do have a door. In another, there door to the shower was clear glass that didn't frost up. Maybe email the hotel and ask about that as they do have a few room types. I can't recall the names of the ones I stayed in (I travel a lot for work...). It is a great hotel otherwise - pretty trendy and a quick walk to the centre of Sydney. The restaurant is excellent too.
There are more places to choose from in the Sydney area.
PRICE RANGE
AU$284 - AU$496 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
AustraliaNew South WalesSydney
NUMBER OF ROOMS
69
Prices are provided by our partners, and reflect total costs of the stay, including all taxes and fees known to our partners. Please see our partners for more details.
Is This Your Tripadvisor Listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
