Royal Exhibition Hotel Sydney, Sydney - Reviews, Room Options & Prices 2025

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About the Hotel

86-88 Chalmers Street, Sydney, Australia

Royal Exhibition Hotel, a traditional 3-star pub established in 1908, features a cocktail bar, bistro, and two-level beer garden in Surry Hills' artistic village.

Modern Comfort Rooms

Air-conditioned rooms at Royal Exhibition Hotel include ensuite bathrooms with double-glazed windows, LCD TVs, and free Wi-Fi. Executive rooms feature marble bathrooms and antique furniture.

All-Day Dining Options

The bistro serves modern Australian cuisine and traditional English specialties daily from 11:30 AM to 9 PM. Two bars provide pub-style food and drinks.

Sports and Views

Sports enthusiasts can watch live events on multiple plasma-screen TVs in the sports bar. The wrap-around veranda overlooks park and street views.

Central Sydney Location

The Royal Exo stands 0 miles from Central Station. Within 15 minutes' walk to Darling Harbour and Capitol Theatre, with easy access to Crown Street shopping.

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Select your room type

The hotel offers a variety of rooms including double rooms, family rooms, and suites with breakfast, free cancelations, and special deals

Deluxe Double Room

Max:

2 persons

17 m²

Bed options:

1 King Size Bed

Shower

Heating

room details

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Guest Room

Max:

4 persons

20 m²

Bed options:

2 King Size Beds

Shower

Heating

room details

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King Room

Max:

2 persons

15 m²

Bed options:

1 King Size Bed

Shower

Heating

room details

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Getting around

A guide to all available transportation options

City Center

Sydney5000 ft

Airports

Kingsford Smith (SYD) 4.4 mi

Wollongong (WOL) 61.1 mi

Train

Central Station Sydney1000 ft

Facilities

Experience a variety of amenities at the boutique hotel, crafted to ensure your comfort and unforgettable moments

Free Wi-Fi

Free Wi-Fi in rooms

Parking

Baggage storage

24-hour services

General

No smoking on site
No parking
Safe deposit box
No pets allowed
Security
Baggage storage
Elevator
ATM/Cash machine
Smoke detectors
Fire extinguishers
Key card access

Sports & Fitness

Golf course

Guest Parking

Electric kettle

Services

Housekeeping
Welcome drink
Happy hour

Dining

Restaurant
Bar/ Lounge area
Special diet menus

Children

Children's menu

Spa & Leisure

Casino
Garden area

Room features

Free Wi-Fi in rooms
Air conditioning
Heating
Sitting area

Bathroom

Free toiletries

Self-catering

Electric kettle

Media

Flat-screen TV

Room decor

Carpeted floor

Location

86-88 Chalmers Street, Sydney, Australia

Map view

street view

86-88 Chalmers Street, Sydney, Australia

City landmarks

Opera House

Sydney Opera House

2.1 mi

Parks

Royal Botanic Gardens

1.6 mi

Aquarium

SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium

1.3 mi

Sydney NSW 2000

Darling Harbour dining

1.3 mi

Parks

Hyde Park

1.2 mi

Sydney

Darling Harbour

1.3 mi

Garden

Chinese Garden of Friendship

3500 ft

Gallery

Art Gallery of New South Wales

1.3 mi

Museums

Powerhouse Museum

3500 ft

Museums

Australian National Maritime Museum

1.2 mi

Mall

Queen Victoria Building

1.2 mi

Bridges

Sydney Harbour Bridge

2.3 mi

Church

St Mary's Cathedral

1.2 mi

Sydney

Sydney Harbour

2.4 mi

Mall

The Rocks

2.0 mi

Museums

Museum of Contemporary Art Australia

1.8 mi

Westfield Centrepoint 100 Market St Retail Level 5

Sydney Tower Eye Observation Deck

1.2 mi

Museums

Anzac Memorial

2700 ft

Zoo

WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo

1.3 mi

Gallery

White Rabbit Gallery

3100 ft

Museums

Australian Museum

1.2 mi

Shopping Area

Central Park

3500 ft

Museums

Hyde Park Barracks Museum

1.2 mi

Public Building

Sydney Town Hall

1.2 mi

Museums

Madame Tussauds Sydney

1.3 mi

Planetarium

Sydney Observatory

1.8 mi

Monuments and Landmarks

Mrs Macquarie's Chair

2.0 mi

Crown Street

Crown St, Surry Hills

2700 ft

Oxford St. and Parkes Drive

Centennial Park

1.8 mi

Ultimo Road rail underbridge to the end of Macarthur Street

The Goods Line

3500 ft

Nearby

Gallery

Brett Whitley Studio

1800 ft

Restaurants

Saltie

400 ft

80 Devonshire St

Strawberry Hills Hotel

600 ft

453 Elizabeth St

Evening Star Hotel

700 ft

360 Elizabeth Street

Whisk&Paddle

700 ft

105 Chalmers Street Surry Hills Next to Prince Alfred Pools

Medan Ciak

1000 ft

Surry Hills 2010 & 130 Liverpool Street 460 Elizabeth St

Cafe And Cucina

1000 ft

24 Cooper Street

Spice Alley

2500 ft

18-20 Kensington St Chippendale

The Reformatory

1500 ft

17-51 Foveaux St Hop 7b 17-51

Bar Tosca

1200 ft

300 Elizabeth St

CJ's Central

1400 ft

1 Eddy Ave

Reviews and Ratings

Feedback from previous guests about their experience.

62%

enjoyed the hotel and would happily stay again

6.2/10

Nice

Rooms

7.0

Location

8.6

Service

7.0

Dining

7.2

Herbert

United States of America, March 2025

6.8/10

My stay at the Royal Exhibition Hotel was quite good overall. The location near Central is prime, but the noise from the nearby light rail can be bothersome for light sleepers. The amenities and service were solid, but I did notice the rooms had a bit of an older vibe, though they were clean and comfortable.

Rooms

8.0

The room was clean with a comfortable bed and quality linens, though some aspects felt a bit dated. I appreciated the double-glazed windows, which helped reduce some of the noise, yet I still heard the light rail at times.

Service

8.0

The staff were friendly and accommodating right from check-in. They took the time to explain the services of the hotel, which made me feel welcomed.

Location

8.0

Being located directly across from Central Station was incredibly convenient for getting around the city, but the pub atmosphere and light rail noise were a downside for my light sleep.

Dining

8.0

I enjoyed a delicious meal from the bistro, including a roast lamb lunch that was quite satisfying. The variety on the menu was impressive, and I’d love to try the rooftop bar next time.

Facilities

7.0

The hotel offered essential facilities like housekeeping and a welcome drink, which I appreciated. However, I did miss a microwave and personal laundry options during my stay.

Tony

United States of America, March 2025

7.0/10

I had a surprisingly quiet stay at the Royal Exhibition Hotel, considering its bustling location near Central Station. The room was clean and well-furnished, though I did notice the TV reception could improve. The staff were friendly and helpful, making my experience enjoyable overall. However, I did experience some minor inconveniences, primarily related to WiFi and room service.

Rooms

8.0

I stayed in a double deluxe room that was clean and had a comfortable bed, ensuring a peaceful night's sleep despite the nearby pub and gaming lounge. The bathroom was modern and featured beautiful marble. However, the TV reception was a bit lacking for my tastes.

Service

6.0

The staff were very welcoming and accommodating, although I did notice some inconsistencies with service, like the WiFi quality and the lack of room service on my first day. It would have been nice to feel a bit more attended to during my stay.

Location

9.0

The hotel's location is fantastic, directly across from Central Station, making transport around the city super easy. This was a major highlight for me and made my stay much more convenient, even if the area was occasionally noisy.

Dining

7.0

While I did not focus on dining at the hotel, the nearby options looked inviting. The atmosphere of the hotel bar added a nice touch to the overall experience.

Facilities

5.0

The hotel has decent facilities, but I did encounter some issues, like the poor WiFi and cleanliness concerns in common areas. The lack of a formal reception was a bit surprising, as I had to check in with the bartender downstairs.

John

United States of America, December 2024

6.0/10

I had mixed feelings about my stay at the Royal Exhibition Hotel. The location was fantastic, right across from Central Station, making it easy to get around Sydney. However, the room itself was a letdown—musty smell, outdated furniture, and noise from the street that kept me awake at night. Overall, I appreciated the convenience, but I wished for better accommodations and cleanliness.

Rooms

5.0

The deluxe double room was disappointing, with a musty smell and old wooden furniture that made it cramped. It could really use some redecoration and a deep clean.

Service

5.0

While housekeeping did a decent job with daily servicing, the overall upkeep of the room left something to be desired. It felt like they were more focused on the pub downstairs.

Location

7.0

The location is ideal—directly across from Central Station, which made travel super convenient. However, there was also a lot of noise from the trams and street, which was a downside.

Dining

6.0

The bar downstairs offered a good selection of drinks, but it had a sports bar vibe with gambling machines. The dining options were fine, but I wouldn't say it was anything amazing worth raving about.

Facilities

5.0

The hotel has decent facilities, but the atmosphere felt a bit off, especially with the gambling den replacing the beer garden.

Will

United States of America, December 2024

6.8/10

I had a decent stay at the Royal Exhibition Hotel, enjoying its prime location just across from Central Station. The room was spacious and clean, although a bit dark and equipped with some old-fashioned furniture. While the noise from the pub downstairs could be bothersome, the overall ambiance was welcoming, making it a fair choice for the price I paid.

Rooms

7.0

The room was spacious and clean, but a bit dark and outdated in decor.

Service

8.0

The staff were friendly and helpful, ensuring my stay was comfortable.

Location

10.0

You couldn't beat the location. literally just across from Central Station, making travel a breeze.

Dining

8.0

Had a quick lunch at the bistro. the food was delicious and reasonably priced.

Facilities

7.0

Housekeeping was efficient, and the tea and coffee facilities in my room were a nice touch.

Jill

United States of America, October 2024

5.2/10

My stay at the Royal Exhibition Hotel was quite pleasant overall. The location was incredibly convenient, being directly across from Central Station, making transit easy. While the rooms had a bit of an older charm to them, they were clean and comfortable, though the lack of breakfast options was a slight drawback. Overall, this hotel offers good value for its price, especially given its excellent dining and bar options.

Rooms

7.0

The room was spacious and clean, though a bit dated with older furniture. However, it had everything I needed, including a comfortable queen bed and a modern bathroom. The free Wi-Fi was decent, but not perfect.

Service

8.0

The staff were friendly and helpful, making check-in a pleasant experience. I felt welcomed and well-assisted with my queries throughout my stay.

Location

9.0

The hotel's location is unbeatable, situated directly across from Central Station, which made commuting a breeze. It's easy to find and conveniently placed near public transport.

Dining

7.0

The bistro offered a great variety of meals at reasonable prices. I enjoyed a delicious double lamb shank that was cooked perfectly. However, it was disappointing that breakfast wasn't served.

Facilities

7.0

The hotel had good facilities, including a buzzing bar and a rooftop area. Despite its age, everything was well-maintained, enhancing the enjoyable atmosphere.