By Rama Gaind
A six-month quest for a small cabin bag ended, unexpectedly, when I was in Sydney – staying at the Vibe Hotel Rushcutters.
Overlooking Rushcutters Bay Park and the Cruising Yacht Club Marina, the hotel is also surrounded by Sydney’s most exclusive shopping and nightlife spots.
The options are endless: chill out and stay up late in Kings Cross, Double Bay, Paddington, Woollahra and Potts Point or escape the action and head to the rooftop swimming pool which has been voted among the ‘Top Five’ pools in Sydney.
However, first things first and unwinding in the one-bedroom suite with king bed and sitting room was essential.
It was very tempting to unwind, but I got distracted by the magnificent birdseye views across Rushcutters Bay, the countless number of boats and yachts moored in the marina and beyond. People were walking in the park below, dogs were making the most of their daily exercise and the nearby oval was beckoning football enthusiasts.
Overlooking the treetops you could see beyond the bay to Darling Point, Edgecliffe, Elizabeth Bay and Double Bay in the distance.
It was also tempting to laze away a few hours over a meal at the Curve Restaurant, but I had another mission on my mind – small hand luggage.
My hunt took me within 10 minutes of the hotel from Bayswater Road, uphill to Kings Cross, into Roslyn Road (catching my breath!) at its intersection with Ward Avenue.
Some more walking, uphill, turning corners, across a pedestrian crossing, into a small shopping centre where Macleay Street was on one side and Darlinghurst Road on the other that opened up a whole new world in Potts Point.
It was here, turning left, among an endless row of shops that the 16-inch cabin bag on wheels surfaced. What’s more, the price didn’t leave a dent in the pocket either!
Great location
The parkside location of the Vibe Hotel in Rushcutters Bay was just perfect and the choice of activities was incredible.
It’s near high fashion outlets in the midst of Double Bay boutiques; a short taxi ride and you’re in the CBD to partake of the delights of shopping in Pitt and Castlereagh Streets; the craft markets of Paddington are not far away; or for something more leisurely eastern suburbs beaches beckon you for brunch with Bondi Beach and its iconic lifestyle only minutes away.
Sydney is an easy city for shopping, provided you know what you want. The precincts can be clustered together and joined by pedestrian malls and walkways, but the cosmopolitan choices are varied.
One of the most beautiful buildings on George Street is the Queen Victoria Building that was opened in 1898. It has been faithfully restored in celebration of a bygone era.
Much smaller, but another beautiful building is The Strand, also on George Street and it houses some of the best Australian fashion labels. From here you make your way through to Pitt Street Mall, a pedestrian zone flanked on all sides by the cream of international designer labels together with other mainstream Australian fashion houses. Check out the new Westfield Mall in Pitt Street.
Harbourside Shopping Centre is where you have a feast of shopping, food and fabulous water views.
If you visit this month, then check out the Crave Sydney International Food Festival until October 31. It celebrates Sydney as a global dining destination enhanced by regional New South Wales produce and wine.
The 2011 festival will again prove Sydney is the place to be for food lovers in October, with the launch revealing an exciting line-up of superstar chefs, a spicy South American theme and hundreds of city and regional events.
Choose to stay at the Vibe Hotel Rushcutters where appealing, vibe-rant colours, stylish rooms, great location, relaxed atmosphere, fresh dining options and cocktails can kick-start a fun-filled sojourn!
Rama Gaind was a guest of Vibe Hotel Rushcutters.
WHERE TO STAY
Vibe Hotel
100 Bayswater Road
Rushcutters Bay NSW 2011
Tel: (02) 8353-8988
Email: [email protected]
www.vibehotels.com.au
