Great Southern Hotel Sydney ✓ Heritage Stay Steps from Central

Great Southern Hotel Sydney Business photo

Great Southern Hotel Sydney Exterior photo

Key details

About the Hotel

717 George Street, Sydney, 2000

Close to Darling Harbour

Great

8.2

8.6

/10

3.5

3.9

Loved by Great Southern Hotel Sydney guests

Friendly staff

Clean rooms

Fast lifts

Excellent breakfast

"This is a heritage listed building being built in 1854, the rooms are basic but you can get them for a budget price."

Dh from Australia

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"The hotel is a beautiful Art Deco building with a traditional Aussie pub out the front offering generous happy hours and the food is great, served in a separate dining room."

penny m

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"Our location was so accessible to all forms of transport and points of interest."

Suzy

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Historic Central Location

The Great Southern Hotel Sydney is a heritage-listed building from 1854, located in Sydney CBD, 500 meters from Central Station. It is a 10-minute walk to Chinatown, Capitol Theatre, and the Queen Victoria Building. Circular Quay, home to the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge, is accessible via tram from the hotel's doorstep.

Simple, Functional Rooms

Rooms include air conditioning (set between 21-24°C), a flat-screen TV, refrigerator, and tea/coffee maker. Bedding options are a queen bed or two single beds pushed together, assigned at check-in. No daily housekeeping is provided, but fresh towels and amenities can be collected at reception.

Nearby Food and Markets

Chinatown, 200 meters away, offers noodle bars, food halls, and bargain shops. Paddy's Markets, 500 meters from the hotel, serves lunch options and sells fashion, souvenirs, and gadgets. The Great Southern Bar provides pub classics and happy hour pricing from 5-7 PM.

Key Attractions Nearby

The hotel is 1.5 km from WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo and SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, 0.5 km from the Powerhouse Museum, and 3 km from the Sydney Opera House. Darling Harbour dining and the Royal Botanic Gardens are within 2 km.

Transport and Accessibility

Central Station, 500 meters away, connects to Sydney's rail network. Trams run directly to Circular Quay. The hotel is 1 km from the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre and 1.1 km from Darling Harbour.

Must-do experiences

Savor a meat pie at Harry's Cafe de Wheels, a local favorite.
Stroll through the historic Rocks district for artisan markets.
Visit the Art Gallery of New South Wales for world-class exhibits.
Climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge for stunning panoramic views.
Catch a ferry to Manly and enjoy fresh fish tacos at the beach.

Choose the Room

From cosy doubles to spacious family suites – all with flexible options, breakfast, and exclusive deals.

Standard Twin Room
2 persons
15 sq. feet
2 Single beds
Air conditioning
Heating
room details
Standard Twin Room Unserviced
2 persons
15 sq. feet
2 Single beds
Air conditioning
Heating
room details
Standard Queen Room Unserviced
2 persons
15 sq. feet
1 King-size bed
Air conditioning
Heating
room details

Show all rooms

Check Dates & Room Rates

See what's available for your travel dates

September 2026 - September 2027

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Tue

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Sat

September 2026

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December 2026

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Check-in/ Check-out

Amenities

Thoughtfully designed amenities for a comfortable & memorable stay

Facilities: Great

8.1/10Review score

General

Non-smoking rooms
Wi-Fi
Parking
Safe deposit box
24-hour reception
Express check-in/ -out
No pets allowed
Rooms/ Facilities for disabled
24-hour security
Luggage storage
Lift
ATM/Cash machine
Smoke detectors
Fire extinguishers
Key card access

Sports & Fitness

Golf course

Guest Parking

Private parking is possible on site at AUD 45 per day.

Services

Housekeeping
Laundry
Tours/Ticket assistance

Dining

Restaurant
Bar/ Lounge area

Business

Meeting/ Banquet facilities
Fax/Photocopying

Children

Cots

Room features

Air conditioning
Heating
Tea and coffee facilities
Ironing facilities

Bathroom

Free toiletries

Self-catering

Electric kettle

Media

Flat-screen TV
AM/FM alarm clock

Room decor

Carpeted floor

Dining Onsite

Great Southern Hotel Sydney offers a delightful array of dining choices that cater to diverse tastes, from hearty pub classics to casual fare. Guests can enjoy a vibrant atmosphere perfect for both relaxed gatherings and lively meals, making every dining experience memorable.

Great Southern Hotel Sydney Restaurant photo

Restaurant 1903

Classic Australian

Ambiance

Sophisticated yet welcoming setting with a focus on comfort and style.

Key Offerings

Enjoy a curated menu featuring local ingredients, with the possibility of seasonal specialties that highlight the best of Australian cuisine.

Reservation

Recommended.

Hours vary.

Great Southern Bar

Pub classics and bistro fare

Ambiance

Casual and festive environment, perfect for unwinding after a day of exploration.

Key Offerings

Indulge in favorite pub meals alongside weekly specials, offering a taste of comfort food in a lively atmosphere.

Reservation

Not needed.

Hours vary.

Great Southern Hotel Sydney Location

717 George Street, Sydney, 2000

Explore Sydney

Your Local Sydney Experience

SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium

20 minutes' walk

Home to over 13,000 marine animals, this aquarium features unique exhibits and interactive experiences. Great for families!

Chinatown

5 minutes' walk

A vibrant cultural hub with shops, markets, and authentic Asian cuisine, ideal for immersive dining experiences.

Darling Harbour

18 minutes' walk

A lively waterfront precinct offering attractions, dining options, and entertainment venues. Perfect for family outings.

Royal Botanic Gardens

25 minutes' walk

Beautiful gardens showcasing a diverse range of plants, with serene walking paths and views of the Sydney Opera House.

Waldorf Fitness Gym

5 minutes' walk

A fully equipped gym offering fitness classes, personal training, and wellness programs for all fitness levels.

Bike Rentals in Darling Harbour

10 minutes' walking

Rent a bike and enjoy scenic rides along the coast, with paths that suit both thrill-seekers and casual cyclists.

Yoga Classes in Belmore Park

9 minutes' walk

Relaxing outdoor yoga sessions in a tranquil park setting, suitable for all levels. Great way to unwind during your stay.

Marigold

3 minutes' walk

A popular spot for dim sum and authentic Cantonese dishes, featuring bustling décor. Reservations recommended on weekends.

Chat Thai Haymarket

4 minutes' walk

Offers traditional Thai cuisine with a contemporary twist in a lively atmosphere. Great for casual dining!

Great Southern Hotel Restaurant

3 minutes' walk

Casual dining with a focus on fresh local produce, serving a variety of dishes suitable for families and business travelers.

Capitol Theatre

15 minutes' walk

A historic venue showcasing Broadway-style shows, musicals, and concerts. Check the schedule for family-friendly events.

Chinatown Night Markets

5 minutes' walk

A vibrant night market featuring street food, artisanal goods, and entertainment. Great for an evening out with family.

Getting around

City Centre
Sydney 12 min · 3300 ft
Airports
Kingsford Smith (SYD) 13 min · 5.1 mi
Wollongong (WOL) 148 min · 61.0 mi
Train
Central Station Sydney 5 min · 1400 ft

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Property information and rules

Check-in

from 14:00-23:59

Check-out

until 10 am

Guest Parking

Private parking is possible on site at AUD 45 per day.

Internet

Wireless internet is available in the entire hotel for free.

Breakfast

You can start your day with a full breakfast, which costs AUD 20.0 per person.

Children & extra beds

There are no extra beds provided in a room.

Pets

Pets are not allowed.

Year renovated:

2009

Number of floors:

Number of rooms:

146

Former name

Pacific International Hotel Sydney

Guest Ratings & Reviews

Real Guest Experiences & Ratings

Review summary

Based on recent reviews

The Great Southern Hotel's location proves popular, being close to Central Station, light rail, and within walking distance of many attractions, including Paddy's Markets and Darling Harbour. Guests appreciate the hotel's preserved charm and character, noting updates like air conditioning and in-room TVs. While some found the air conditioning controls a bit limited, many consider the hotel a good value, especially given its proximity to dining and transport options.

Review score

Based on 6544 verified reviews

8.2 /10

Great

87 %

Recommend

Location

9.5/10

Staff

8.8/10

Paid Wi-Fi

6.9/10

Breakfast

7.7/10

Pros

Central location

Excellent reception staff

Great value

Cons

Cleanliness issues

Cramped bathroom

Outdated room

based on 1191 reviews

3.5/5

sasha k from russia

Single

standard queen room

4 nights in November 2025

Reviewed: January 10, 2026

7/10

central location continental breakfast worn carpet missing parts

the location proved central. it was easy to access many attractions. i also appreciated the continental breakfast offered. the staff seemed knowledgeable and happy to assist, ensuring a smooth start to the day.

The room i stayed in felt somewhat tired and in need of an update. some of the fixtures was to be missing parts. the carpet in the hallways also looked worn and marked. This impacted the overall feel.

0 Helpful

William from United Kingdom

Single

Standard Twin Room

3 nights in November 2025

Reviewed: January 07, 2026

9/10

Convenient Location and Friendly Service

ideal location helpful information easy storage

The location was ideal for my needs. The staff members were pleasant and offered helpful information. I easily stored my luggage until my departure..

0 Helpful

Max from Germany

Single

standard queen room

3 nights in November 2025

Reviewed: December 29, 2025

6/10

basic stay with some issues

thin mattress poor aircon

the location was decent near central station.

the room felt quite dated. the mattress seemed thin and bowed in the middle and the pillows were either too hard or too soft. the air conditioning control was poor, leaving me either freezing or sweating. the curtains even threatened to detach from their tracks.

0 Helpful

sydney from australia

Business traveller

standard queen room

3 nights in August 2026

Reviewed: November 17, 2025

7/10

convenient location helpful staff internal area limited controls

the location was convenient. i found it easy to walk to many spots i wanted to see in the city, saving on transport. the staff were helpful, promptly addressing my questions and requests. this.

My room faced an internal area, so there was no street view. It was a bit of a letdown. the air conditioning had limited controls, and the temperature would sometimes change during the night. it made it a little difficult to maintain a comfortable sleeping environment.

0 Helpful

William from United Kingdom

Single

standard queen room

4 nights in August 2026

Reviewed: September 07, 2025

6/10

balanced central stay

convenient location helpful staff practical addition noisy air conditioner warm room sleep disturbance

i found the location quite convenient near central station. the staff were helpful with directions to nearby attractions. the wall mounted usb charger in the room was a practical addition, i thought.

the air conditioner was noisy, disturbing my sleep. i also noticed the air conditioner temperature couldn't be adjusted below 21 degrees. this..

0 Helpful

Joel from Australia

Single

Standard Queen Room

3 nights in June 2026

Reviewed: July 19, 2025

9/10

light rail good food central station

The hotel is near Central Station. It is also close to light rail and Chinatown. The pub food tasted really good and I enjoyed it.

The room furniture seemed a bit dated.

0 Helpful

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Questions of the users

About Great Southern Hotel Sydney

Is it possible to store my luggage both before my scheduled check-in and after I check out?

5 February 2024

Luggage storage services are available before check-in and after check-out without any fees.

What time does breakfast start and what is the cost for the airport shuttle service?

11 March 2024

Breakfast is served from 6:30 AM to 10:00 AM, and the shuttle bus to the airport costs $18.00 per person, paid in cash to the driver.

Can I check in early around noon, and how would that process work?

22 April 2024

The standard check-in time is 2 PM. If an early check-in is desired, it is dependent on room availability, and a fee of $30 applies. Alternatively, luggage storage can be utilized.

Upon check-in, is a deposit needed, or must the entire room price be paid upfront?

30 May 2024

No deposit is required at check-in. The full tariff payment is made during the booking process. Refunds depend on the specific booking conditions.

Is there an on-site parking facility, and what are its rates?

15 June 2024

Parking is available for $45.00 per car per night, which allows unlimited entries and exits. The parking area is located beneath the hotel with a height restriction of 1.8 meters.

Is late-night check-in possible after 9 PM?

20 July 2024

The front desk operates 24/7, so check-in is allowed at any hour. If the doors are locked upon arrival, simply press the buzzer for assistance.

Is there a provision for a microwave in the room during my stay?

10 August 2024

Microwaves are available upon request prior to arrival due to limited stock. However, each room comes equipped with a mini-fridge.

Are there designated smoking areas within the hotel?

1 September 2024

Smoking areas are available on certain levels of the hotel. Those wishing to stay on a floor with these areas are encouraged to inform front office staff during check-in.

What distinguishes unserviced rooms from serviced ones?

25 October 2024

Unserviced rooms do not receive housekeeping during the stay, while serviced rooms do. This difference may affect the pricing.

Is it possible to request a baby cot for my stay?

15 November 2024

Yes, baby cots can be provided at an additional cost of $15 per night.