So I walk into The Old Clare and immediately - dopamine. Just a hit. The kind of hit you get when someone not only read the brief, but also went, “What if… we didn’t finish the brief… on purpose?” And it works. It’s like the building is mid-thought. And I’m into it. Like, heavily. There’s this intentional incompleteness to the whole place - and that’s not me being shady, that’s me being in love. Big-brain move. Wise. WISE. Like, “finish it but don’t finish it,” K? They left enough raw edges to whisper “heritage” but polished just enough to say “I know what a Henry vacuum is.” (I believe I spotted a green one.) Also - and I can’t stress this enough - the corners in our room? Protected. Armored. Anti-clumsy. As someone whose spatial awareness is more of a suggestion than a skillset? I feel seen. No chipped paint. No mystery smudges from whoever walked into that wall at 2 a.m. before me. Smart. Sensory-wise? 4 out of 5. Which is high! That’s a Rose-4. Which is like a regular 5. I didn’t bring my decibel meter but my nervous system did not file a complaint - and that’s rare. Usually it’s filing something. And let’s talk about the in room guest book. Whoever made that? Neurospicy, through and through. (If you don’t know, now you know & you’re brilliant) I felt it. I knew. When I read “Dial 9 for Ice, ice, baby” - I had to sit down. (I was already sitting down, but I sank further into the plush, nest of a bed) I laughed, I pointed at the page, I said to my partner, “This person gets me.” You, guest book person? Never stop. You are the Alanis Morrissette of hotel in-room literature. Don't you think? It’s defiantly not ten thousand spoons when all you needed was a knife. This is a knife. Crocodile Dundee, would agree. Anyway - I love it here. I’m not saying I’m moving in, but I did google long-stay rates. So.

Mirror lighting was definitely not the decision of anyone who wears makeup (the little magnifying mirrors are a waste of money) & no full length mirror in the room - questionable. Just pop one inside the wardrobe doors! We didn’t ask if there was an option - but if there was an option to have a firmer bed, we would have requested it! The cloud like bed, was SUPER excellent for relaxing & so satisfying to sink into, but, I need a firm bed so my back doesn’t make me feel 90 years old.

Close to central station nice cocktails comfortable bed

The roof top pool is nice but when you go to swim and the bar is full of people you feel like your on view to everyone like a crayfish in a tank someone might select for dinner 😂 lack of good coffee spots close bye early in the morning a discount on drinks to people staying at the hotel would be a bonus seems you are sharing the area with everyone else that hasn’t payed to stay

Complimentary sweets in atrium! Pleasant staff. Interesting building, and area, with industrial past Room was double storey, making it feel large and private. Excellent bathroom. Very clean. Big windows. We were lucky enough to get a room on the east side with copious morning sunlight streaming onto bed, which was really lovely. Location is excellent. Spice Alley, a pedestrian "eat street" next door on one side, shopping centre with cinema on the other. White Rabbit, an excellent contemporary Art Gallery, very close. Close to bus, light rail, train and metro.

Mattress felt worn out. Soft and uneven. Toilet has lack of privacy being mounted right off bedroom. May not bother some. Bath comfortable but takes a very long time to fill. Towels smaller than expected. Artworks in shared spaces not labeled.

The buildings are interesting and characterful. Location is good - very close to Central station and the area is full of students which gives it a busy vibe. Room was a good size with a super king bed (on the soft side of soft). Bathroom was clean, spacious and light. Rooftop bar is a lovely spot for a drink in the evening. The front reception staff were friendly and helpful.

The view from my room on the 3rd floor was of an internal void area including the tops of walls etc that normally no one would see and probably shouldn't - better to fill in the window and replace with some nice artwork. The design of the carpets in the hallways and my room were not to my taste - dark colours with random patterns that reminded me of the worst designs from the 80s. The hallway carpet on my floor wasn't vacuumed for several days during my stay - I know because there were bits that would have been removed if it had been. None of these issues impacted my stay but let's just say it's definitely a 4 star hotel, not 5, as indicated on Booking.com.

Old Clare is my favourite hotel in Sydney CBD, large rooms, with echoes of its industrial past, very comfy beds and furniture and well equipped bathrooms. Lighting arrangements are diverse and large windows open onto the streetscape. Close to transport at Central, shopping and movies at Central Park mall and great restaurants and cafes nearby. Staff are helpful and gracious and room service was prompt and generous. There is a rooftop bar and a pool for warmer weather. As a guest from Singapore remarked it is unique in contrast to many monochrome hotel chains.

NA

Great hotel! It’s stylish clean and organised. Fabulous little lane behind with food and cocktails in the evening. We had breakfast at the hotel,? The chilli eggs were delicious! The staff were really helpful. Especially (Olivia) I hope that’s her make because she deserves recognition! She was on the desk when we arrived and was Brilliant in helping me find the hotel parking when I was stressed.

Parking needs better instructions down to the actual level. Got in ok but couldn’t find the way down to the next level, definitely needs better signs.

The decor was cool. Location was handy to train station and a good variety of food options. The room was spacious and quiet. The staff were friendly at reception and the lolly battle was a nice touch. They accommodated early check in and late check out.

I did casual breakfast, which was ok but a little expensive and they ran out of what I wanted so got some smashed avo and toast instead which was over $20 and presented a a bowl of avo and dry toast, some dulls or something would have been nice as the tomatoes on toast wasn’t available. The bar female tender in the hotel bar was a bit rude, not friendly. The roof top was a bit dated and not very inviting.

Rooms were quirky. Loved the upstairs downstairs idea as in future if I travel with my partner one of us can be working and the other watching TV without disturbing the other.

The bed was a little squishy / lumpy as if a large person had imprinted themselves on the mattress and the 'memory' had not been erased ... if this makes sense as an analogy

The old Clare is an amazing boutique style hotel, with fantastic heritage on display throughout. Its industrial stylings mixed with modern charm make it a unique place to stay. Located in a cool part of town with lots to wander around and see, great cafes and restaurants it made for a perfect weekender for us.

The room we had lacked a few things, no cutlery at all which was a problem to cut the lemon for the Gin and Tonic (first world problems!) Honestly though a few more basic items in the room would have been helpful, but it didn’t detract from the overall experience

The vibes is gorgeous, the location made it so easy to get out and about. Plenty to do around the area and everything you need right out the door.

The hotel has parking available (at a cost which is expected) however they only have two parking access keys shared between anyone using the parking facilities meaning you had to get the key and return it to reception anytime you entered or exited the car park and at times had to wait for other people to return the key . This was the only let down at the hotel, everything else hit the mark