Nestled in the leafy, pseudo-European suburb of Surry Hills, you will find boutique hotel Crystalbrook Albion, ideal for a staycation that could easily be spent entirely at the hotel. With its sumptuous room service options, bar and rooftop views, the hotel is primed as a destination itself. While staying, why not enjoy some of Surry Hills' best eateries and activities and get to know the suburb? Our guide is here to help.
Stay
Crystalbrook Albion is the hotel of choice for this getaway. Delightfully intimate, original and unpretentious in nature and design, the boutique hotel is the embodiment of local experience, reimagined for the modern traveler with a penchant for luxury. Equipped with rooms and suites – for those of us wanting a little more room than standard – the hotel is a destination in itself, home to the Honour Bar and a room service menu to please all.
With a curated art collection by Nicholas Samartis peppering throughout Crystalbrook Albion, art is at your fingertips waiting to be admired only steps from your room. If cityscapes and stargazing are more your speed, an evening spent on the rooftop is calling your name.
Take
A staycation in Surry Hills isn’t adequately equipped without a pair of walking shoes, and the New Balance 574's are ideal to take you from the pavement to inside a cosy neighbourhood bar.
As the winter chill sets in, reinforce your warmth with a cashmere and wool-blend coat, like the above from The Curated, made strategically with a midi-length hem to ensure you remain warm from your neck down.
Of course, just because the sun may be hiding behind the clouds, this doesn’t mean SPF becomes redundant, so a trusty tube of Ultra Violette’s Supreme Screen is a staple in our bags.
And, always on our packing list, a good book is a must. Our choice for this trip? New Australian who-done-it novel, Dirt Town by Hayley Scrivenor.
Do
Visit China Heights Gallery to take in works by some of the nation’s brightest talent including Niah McLeod and Poppy Williams.
Hop on the tram and head into the Sydney city to enjoy a morning of shopping or sightseeing, including Circular Quay and the Opera House.
The walkability of Surry Hills is its best feature, so simply spending the afternoon navigating your way through the terrace-lined streets aimlessly admiring its beauty is an activity itself.
Taste
For breakfast, a short walk from Crystalbrook Albion you will find Sweet Chick on Fitzroy Street. Home to devilishly delicious sweet treats from babka puddings to cupcakes, the café is known for its welcome service and nature, alongside serving a well-brewed coffee.
If in need of a midday snack while exploring, Crown Street’s Nour has you covered with their vast menu and sunsoaked location, primely positioned in the centre of the vibrant suburb.
As dinner beckons, Jane – one of the newest spots in Surry Hills – is well worth a visit, even if only for its succulent pumpkin dish that pulls apart in the most satisfying a fashion. Nestled at the bottom of Bourke Street opposite Maison Balzac, it is an intimate venue ideal for reflecting on the day had.
And, if on the hunt for an after dinner drink before heading back to your room, look no further than Mille Vini on Crown Street, home to a vast selection of wine from McLaren Vale to Tuscany and bastions of the rosemary-infused Negroni.
