Freshly renovated with a sleek, stylish new look, the Holiday Inn Sydney Airport is the ultimate transit stay before heading onward to your next travel adventure.
Traveller: Cathy Wagstaff
Room: King Bed Superior
Address: Corner of O’Riordan Street, Mascot NSW 2020
Date: January 2023
Price range: from $194
Best for: Savvy Sydney travellers en route to their next exotic destination
Location
Conveniently located by Kingsford Smith International Airport and only 15 minutes by train to Sydney city centre. A four-minute walk from Mascot train station, Sydney Airport is five minutes by car from the hotel or 10 minutes via its private airport shuttle.
Claim to fame
Holiday Inn Sydney Airport is ideal for a hassle-free trip with a private airport shuttle service ($10 per person), wake-up calls and a concierge to pre-book your taxi for early flights. Its location to Sydney airport and airport shuttle – to both the domestic and international terminals – makes it a great stay before your next departure.
The showstopper
A recent multi-million-dollar renovation has refreshed all the rooms of the hotel. The new fit-out has plush carpets, crisp linen and inviting interior decor with touches of 50s retro charm. Reception is open 24 hours, making check-in a breeze any time of day.
The room
Rooms are modern, unfussy and newly revamped – and mine exceptionally clean. I stayed in a freshly updated King Bed Superior Room. The King Koil Bed was hugely comfortable, the linen of high quality and king sized pillows had soft or firm embroidery on them which I have not seen anywhere else. It was more spacious than a standard airport hotel, and the walk-in rain shower added a deluxe touch.
The room is designed with comfort in mind: from soundproofed windows and blackout curtains, to 55-inch TV with movies on demand, a minifridge, Nespresso machine and free Wi-Fi. An iron and ironing board comes as standard so you don’t need to call reception for one. A desk with a work lamp, cosy armchair and foot stool with a small marble side table completes the room.
Beyond the rooms
There’s a relaxed restaurant, a bar with light bites and a 24/7 gym. Sirocco Restaurant for breakfast (from 6:30am) offers a wide spread of hot and continental buffet options with complimentary espresso. Biggles Bar & Grill is open from lunchtime, serving pub classics like steaks, salads and burgers. You can grab a late bite as they are open until 10pm. Both were buzzing and full of people on my visit.
Staying in
Room service is available 24/7. The two restaurants will keep you well fed from breakfast until dinner time. A gym with sauna, same-day dry cleaning service, Business Centre and Foreign Currency Exchange are also on site.
Stepping out
If you have time to kill before your flight, go bowling at the Manhattan Superbowl, enjoy the arcade games at Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq or visit the ever-popular Grounds of Alexandria. With Central Station just 15 minutes away by train, you have the whole of Sydney within easy reach.
The family factor
Holiday Inn Sydney Airport is exceptional value for families – as kids under 12 stay and eat for free. The little ones will love the Kids’ Check-In Station, free creative kids’ packs and kids’ play corners in the lobby, and Little Big Travellers food menu. Families can spread out across twin rooms that sleep up to four people or a king room with a sofa bed that can be made up for the kids. For larger groups, there are also interconnecting rooms available.
Before booking
All Holiday Inn properties are part of the IHG One Rewards Club. Membership will grant you access to exclusive rates, points and promotions. Max Your Stay and ask about options for early check-in (10am) and late check-out (2pm).
Insiders’ tips
Holiday Inn Sydney Airport offers a Park, Stay and Go package with secure onsite parking for up to 15 nights. The package includes breakfast and returns airport transfers. The carpark also has space for caravans and RVs. So, you can relax knowing your car is secure while you run off to your next exotic location.
I wish I could take home
The Shiraz and cheese board – a wonderful welcome gift in my room. Both the cheese and wine were utterly delicious but sadly not packable in my suitcase for my early morning flight.
V&T expert rating
8.5 of 10 – The ultimate transit stay by Sydney Airport, this Holiday Inn was well above my expectations and the perfect rest stop before my 6am flight. With stylish rooms and an easy airport transfer made for a seamless and stress-free onward journey to my next stop, Fiji.
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