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The Old Clare Hotel

1 Kensington Street, Chippendale, Sydney, New South Wales 2008 Australia
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Traveller (566)
Room & Suite (223)
Dining (29)

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About

#30 of 193 hotels in Sydney
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Value
Stretching across two iconic heritage-listed buildings – The Clare Hotel pub and the Carlton & United Breweries Administration Building – the 69 room boutique hotel has been constructed with obsessive attention to aesthetics and concern for retaining the interesting features of both buildings.
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Property amenities
Valet parking
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Rooftop pool
Fitness Centre with Gym / Workout Room
Bar / lounge
Bicycle rental
Bicycles available
Babysitting
Wifi
Outdoor pool
Restaurant
Breakfast available
Complimentary tea
Poolside bar
Rooftop bar
Books, DVDs, music for children
Airport transportation
Taxi service
Business Centre with Internet Access
Meeting rooms
Rooftop terrace
Baggage storage
Concierge
Non-smoking hotel
24-hour front desk
Dry cleaning
Laundry service
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Room features
Blackout curtains
Bathrobes
Air conditioning
Desk
Fireplace
Coffee / tea maker
Flatscreen TV
Bath / shower
Housekeeping
Interconnected rooms available
Room service
Safe
Wardrobe / wardrobe
Iron
Minibar
Refrigerator
Hair dryer
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Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Suites
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
5.0 of 5 stars
HOTEL STYLE
Boutique
Trendy
Languages Spoken
English
Hotel links
Special Price:15% Off The Old Clare Hotel Sale Now On. Book Direct & Save.
587Reviews11Q+A98Room tips

Reviews
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IimeJuice wrote a review 17 Mar
Bowral, Australia102 contributions124 helpful votes
This hotel could be soooo good! It has the location, the look, the style and the vibe but the overall service absolutely sucks! They cut corners on everything and provide what only can be described as a 2 star service. The staff are there but they are in neutral gear. No drive, no desire to help. Disaster of a place
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Date of stay: March 2024Trip type: Travelled solo
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.
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mandy wrote a review Jun 2023
Birtley, United Kingdom4 contributions
+1
Hotel's Favourite
When we first saw the hotel from the main road outside we were a little underwhelmed but don’t be fooled. Access to the hotel is along the side alleyway and is fabulous. Super quirky with a mix of retro modern and unusual decor. Totally loved the place. Bedrooms are spacious clean modern and comfortable. Staff were totally lovely and couldn’t have been any more pleasant and helpful. My daughter got married here to the love of her life and I was part of the family who travelled from the UK. We stayed for 3 days in The Old Clare and loved it. This place comes highly recommended and it will always be part of very precious memories. X
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Date of stay: April 2023Trip type: Travelled with family
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.
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Jan L wrote a review 6 Mar
615 contributions9 helpful votes
The pub/restaurant is really great. The bartenders are top notch. Nice place to hangout with friends. The Clare is amazing. Excellent location and close to other great bars and restaurants. Always full when in this area. Would highly recommend.
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Date of stay: March 2024
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled with friends
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.
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Adony G wrote a review Jan 2024
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam71 contributions47 helpful votes
Place is a lot like McDonalds, not what you see in the pictures. Really disappointing Rooms are way too expensive for what you get. Pool is not for guests but a back drop to a noisy restaurant for the public. No drinks service by the pool and Breakfast was horrible. Food was ordinary on top of not been put in when ordered the first time (toast came out cold)
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Date of stay: January 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip: Avoid the food and pool, a little out of the way for Sydney CBD
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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.
1 Helpful vote
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Jan Migdal wrote a review Nov 2023
London, United Kingdom6 contributions4 helpful votes
Disappointing. I felt so embarrassed to stay there that I checked out 2 days early and went to a real 5-star hotel (the Capella). I seriously question the taste levels of any reviewers that enjoyed the decor at this hotel, i presume they are unfamiliar with real luxury. Several people in the travel magazine sector warned me not to stay here before going but I was locked into a non-refundable booking. The decor is tacky and in some places disturbing (dentist chairs in the lobby and some awful industrial "art work" in the Chippendale loft), this for me was the worst thing about the hotel. The location of the Old Clare Hotel is in a mediocre suburb, Spice Alley is the only interesting thing in the vicinity. The rooms are suffocating, the beds are overly soft and the windows are screwed shut so you are unable to get any fresh air. The hotel’s pipes hum and vibrate all day so there are these constant background sounds that never end and it can be hard to sleep with this noise. The hotel is run/managed by a small team so they are unable to greet you as you arrive as would be expected at a 5 star hotel. The attached Clare Bar is run by staff who are rude and not attentive and as other reviews have said, they look like they want to be anywhere else except working there. The rooftop pool area has some promise but the decor again is dated and the area is unserviced so you have to order through annoying QR codes that don't always work - again, not what i call 5 star service. They have beer called "It's sh*t lager" in the Clare Bar as well as Old Clare Tote Bags emblazoned with "random crap" so they are fully aware of their mediocrity. I would put this as a high 3-star or entry-level 4 star hotel (but that’s being generous) and not a 5-star hotel. Most people who know Sydney told me it's not what it was several years ago, and change your booking if you can because you will be disappointed, and we were. My partner and I both observed how sad and lifeless the hotel felt, and got the impression that the hotel was going through some financial difficulties as it just had this feeling of neglect. I was told by reception staff i could be refunded for the last two days because I checked out early but they lied. Someone needs to reasses the star rating of this hotel as it is undeserving of 5 stars, and in my opinion it is false advertising.
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Date of stay: November 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
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.
1 Helpful vote
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peejay wrote a review Aug 2023
Sydney, Australia36 contributions16 helpful votes
So I looked at what appeared to be an inspired menu with interesting choices and so I selected the Dirty Reuben Sambo. I wasn’t prepared for the food at all. A slender layer or two of pastrami on a soft Coles or Woolworths sourced bread roll with a cheese sauce for dipping ( I worked out) ? and a few crisps on the side for a cool 24 bucks. An insult to the Reuben on all levels. Forget it.
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Date of stay: August 2023Trip type: Travelled solo
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.
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Traveller 44 wrote a review May 2023
Paris, France40 contributions13 helpful votes
Lovely, efficient staff everywhere - lobby, bar, restaurant at all times and good food. Quirky hotel with furniture in lobby such as dentists' chairs and open bank safes selling things. Large loft-style room with high ceilings and distressed walls. The bathroom is a problem - no door to it, and the shower and toilet are behind glazed glass which means your roommate can see shapes through it, offering little privacy if you're sharing. The bath looks great but is way too small for most people. The bathroom mirror has very poor lighting so you can't see properly to apply make-up. Usual design flaw! The windows look out onto restaurants that can see inside so you have to close the blinds. The hotel design is described by it as 'inspiration over functionality' - when it needs to be both!
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Date of stay: April 2023Trip type: Travelled solo
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.
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Sharen P wrote a review May 2023
1 contribution
Really disappointed, paid over $400 per night for 4 night stay for a king room, were given a double room with two double beds, the first night we arrived home from dinner at 10:30 only to be locked out of the hotel. Tried the key lock, then the intercom - no answer, then the night manager, which announced this caller is unavailable. So we waited until a guest left the hotel so we could enter. We complained and the night team was apologetic and they would make it up to us. Still waiting. Do not recommend this hotel.
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Date of stay: May 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled on business
Room Tip: Dont stay here
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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.
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glasgowscenes wrote a review Mar 2023
60 contributions35 helpful votes
Lovely building, great location, but I was ultimately disappointed with my stay. The pool was closed the day / evening I arrived for a private event, and I feel this is reflective of how the guests of the hotel are not a priority in how the building is run. After asking reception I was told this happens all the time, especially at weekends. It generally seemed to me like it’s a bar / event venue first and foremost, and a hotel second. Don’t book the breakfast package. It’s more expensive than just buying breakfast separately, and no one seems to know what is / isn’t included. It caused a lot of confusion and ultimately it felt like bad value, and just frustrating trying to work it all out every morning. I found the room to be noisy - the windows didn’t block out the road noise. The first room I was shown was ground level and right on the road. I was moved one floor up but still facing the same noisy junction which I had asked to be moved away from, and so it didn’t solve the issue. Yes it’s an old building, but I was there for work and would have appreciated help getting some sleep. I don’t want anyone to get into trouble, but I think some staff training in how to make guests feel welcome and valued would be useful.
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Date of stay: March 2023Trip type: Travelled on business
Room Tip: Check if the pool is going to be open / shut before booking. Ask for a quiet room.
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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.
1 Helpful vote
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Greg W wrote a review Feb 2023
New York City, New York81 contributions59 helpful votes
This is one of the coolest hotels I've ever stayed at. Super trendy and unique with lots of food options right next door. That being said, it's pretty far removed from most of Sydney so, if you're a tourist who doesn't like long walks, Ubers, or public transport, you may want to choose a more centrally located spot!
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Date of stay: May 2022
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled on business
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.
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PRICE RANGE
€149 - €264 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
AustraliaNew South WalesSydney
NUMBER OF ROOMS
69
Prices are provided by our partners, and reflect nightly room rates, including all taxes and fees known to our partners. Please see our partners for more details.
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THE OLD CLARE HOTEL - UPDATED 2024 Reviews & Price Comparison (Sydney, Australia) - Tripadvisor

Frequently Asked Questions about The Old Clare Hotel
Which popular attractions are close to The Old Clare Hotel?
Nearby attractions include White Rabbit Gallery (0.3 km), Chinatown (0.5 km), and Central Park Mall (0.1 km).
What are some of the property amenities at The Old Clare Hotel?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include a rooftop bar, free wifi, and an on-site restaurant.
Which room amenities are available at The Old Clare Hotel?
Top room amenities include a minibar, air conditioning, and a flat screen TV.
What food & drink options are available at The Old Clare Hotel?
Guests can enjoy a rooftop bar, an on-site restaurant, and a lounge during their stay.
Is parking available at The Old Clare Hotel?
Yes, valet parking is available to guests.
What are some restaurants close to The Old Clare Hotel?
Conveniently located restaurants include Platform 818, KOI Dessert Bar, and Mekong.
Are there opportunities to exercise at The Old Clare Hotel?
Yes, guests have access to a fitness centre and a rooftop pool during their stay.
Does The Old Clare Hotel have airport transportation?
Yes, The Old Clare Hotel offers airport transportation for guests. We recommend calling ahead to confirm details.
Are any cleaning services offered at The Old Clare Hotel?
Yes, dry cleaning and laundry service are offered to guests.
Does The Old Clare Hotel offer any business services?
Yes, guests have access to a business centre and meeting rooms during their stay.
Are there any historical sites close to The Old Clare Hotel?
Many travellers enjoy visiting State Theatre (1.6 km), Anzac Memorial (1.3 km), and St. Mary's Cathedral (1.8 km).