Mantra 2 Bond Street, Sydney

Where Is It: In the heart of the Sydney CBD.

Why Go: A great location, and facilities ideal for longer stays.

Best For: Couples and families who like hotel perks and self-catering.

Three Things We Loved: The decor, the location, the facilities.

Overview:

The Sydney CBD has plenty of premium and luxury accommodation options to choose from these days, offering much to attract domestic and international travellers, and couples seeking a romantic getaway. New to the lineup of high end properties is Mantra 2 Bond Street which is an apartment hotel boasting an enviable location, as well as everything a visitor to Sydney would need. Located on the corner of Bond Street and George Street, the hotel is just minutes from Wynyard train station and the ferries of Circular Quay for anyone who needs to get around on public transport, and if you’re planning to explore on foot, most of the city’s key attractions, including the Sydney Opera House, Darling Harbour and The Rocks, are all within walking distance. Although the apartment hotel has been in existence for some time, it recently underwent a major $4.5m makeover last year which transformed guest rooms into a new look contemporary urban oasis. More than 120 guest rooms were treated to a makeover, the foyer now also has new curated art as a feature, and the onsite restaurant and lounge was also redesigned. Right now there is a lot of street-level construction relating to Sydney’s new Light Rail project, but this wasn’t an issue either from the perspective of getting around or noise. 

The Accommodation:

The accommodation options are suited to anyone from singles and couples, to families and groups of friends. They comprise Executive Studios with a queen bed, One Bedroom Apartments with a queen bed, Two Bedroom Apartments with two queen beds, and a Penthouse Suite with 2 queen beds plus one king. The overall style is open plan with plenty of New York loft-style charm, and features including large windows allowing for plenty of natural light and increased sense of space. There’s also a unique pendant lighting feature which acts as a focal point in the refurbished studio, one and two bedroom apartments’, new gourmet kitchen, and luxurious textured soft furnishings feature throughout, including stylish lounge chairs, grand upholstered bedheads and theatrical new window furnishings. Besides a stylish decor, all rooms are fully air conditioned with a balcony, cable TV, a CD player and stereo system, internet access, a kitchenette and laundry facilities.

Where I Stayed:

My room for the night was an Executive Studio with a view of George Street and the CBD, and was much more spacious than I had anticipated. It had a lovely open plan, split level design with a dedicated sleeping area and spacious lounge area. Walking into the room from the hallway, the warm and nicely tiled bathroom was off to the right, with a decent walk-in shower, a vanity and toilet. Nicely hidden behind a sliding door behind the bathroom door was a laundry area complete with a washer, dryer, iron and ironing board, and the bathroom was well equipped with a hairdryer and luxury toiletries including body wash, shampoo and conditioner. Moving into the studio, the sleeping area was off to the right, with features including a flat screen LCD TV mounted on the wall, and a comfy queen sized bed dressed with crisp white linens, and plush chocolate, gold cushions and patterned cushions. The colour scheme was a fusion of cream, warm coffee and slate grey. Heading down two steps and to the right there is a decent sized kitchen well-equipped with a half dishwasher, a large fridge, a microwave oven, a full sized stove top and oven, tea and coffee making facilities and more. It was easily capable of being used to prepare an elaborate meal, with a deep kitchen counter separating the space from the sitting area, and two comfy bar seats should you wish to sit more formally to eat a meal. The colour scheme continued with coffee coloured tiles on the walls, and high white furniture. Into the sitting area, and besides a nice balcony with fresh air and a view, there was a large sofa with a day bed a coffee table and a retro armchair. One wall was dedicated to some quirky art of all types and sizes, with a second flat screen LCD TV, and there was plenty of warm side lighting to set a cozy or romantic mood.

What Else Is There:

Although it’s an apartment hotel, Mantra 2 Bond Street has all the facilities of a top class hotel. Memento Bar and Kitchen is where you’ll enjoy a full self-serve buffet breakfast if it’s included in your room rate, with hot options such as scrambled eggs, sausages, and bacon, breads for toasting, cereals, fruits and juices. If you want a premium coffee, however, it costs extra and is made to order. Memento is also open for lunch Monday to Friday, and dinner Monday to Saturday. Other facilities in the hotel include a gym, a lovely heated rooftop pool with views across the CBD, a 24-hour reception with a concierge, room service, and if you’re driving there is parking on site for a fee. 

The Verdict:

Mantra 2 Bond Street truly has it all; a terrific location, lovely accommodations with all mod-cons including a rooftop pool in which to cool off after a hard day of sightseeing. While it is ideal for short stays in the city, it is also particularly good for longer stays, thanks to a combination of excellent self-catering facilities and everything a top class hotel has to offer. From exploring Sydney’s sights and nightlife, to enjoying a home away from home where you can relax in front of the TV with a nice meal, this lovely apartment hotel won’t disappoint.