A stay at Hotel Indigo offers you boutique accommodation in the heart of all that’s happening, and you’ll find yourself a stone’s throw from the cafés, bars, restaurants and pubs that welcome lazy lunches or up-tempo evenings in Sydney’s kookiest historical hub. Beachside bars, rooftop restaurants and chic shopping are just the start of a great Sydney stay—and this is the ultimate cheat sheet for the savvy traveler, who knows where to stay, what to do, and how to live it up like a local.
Potts Point
Drawing on the creative culture of the area, the hotel has cheeky tributes to the art deco design elements of the neighbourhood—like a postcard from the past, the eclectic design of the guest rooms nods to the neon-lit nightlife of yore. A long lunch on Sweethearts Rooftop will set you up for a day of shopping along some of our fave boutique-lined streets with Potts Point Vintage, Macleay Concept Store or homeware haven Becker Minty all must visits. When the sun sets, we recommend nabbing a seat at the acclaimed vegan restaurant Yellow, or Asian fusion sensation Diana, before making an evening pilgrimage to Hayes Theatre for intimate cabarets and musicals. You’ll also find yourself staying right by quirky cafés like Room 10, and local favourite micro bar Piccolo, which offers cool cocktails and diner-style delights.
Surry Hills
Walking distance from Hotel Indigo is the Sydneysiders’ haven of culinary cool. Once home to the rascals and rapscallions of Sydney’s underworld, Surry Hills has farewelled the sly grog queens and scallywags of the past and come of age as a foodie favourite. Under the watchful eye of terrace homes and tree-lined streets, there are cafés, pubs and restaurants tucked down every street, alley, nook and cranny. Single O and Paramount have you covered for coffees, starting your day with a perfectly brewed buzz. You’ll find that a walk in Surry Hills won’t be possible without stopping in at one of its many watering holes, like the sun-drenched courtyard of The Clock, or multi-level pizza paradise The Dolphin. For dinner, find contemporary Australian eats down the laneway at Beau, or take in the Middle Eastern menu at NOMAD. Splurge on beautiful Bengali cuisine with the Chef’s Table nine-course tasting menu at Khanaa, or indulge in a decadent French feed and live jazz at Armorica. End the night by ducking into Low 302 for live music, and a hint of the old-world charm that Surry Hills serves so well.
Bondi
Bondi calls for slow and steady summer days, with laid back beachside bars, day-long spas and leisurely shopping strolls. Like a pearl peeking out from a bed of oysters, the shell-encrusted Sean’s Panorama is a Bondi institution, with an award-winning chef and equally impressive views. Café meets creativity at Porch and Parlour, the internationally acclaimed and locally loved eatery. For a sun-soaked lunch and high-end dining, you can’t go past the elevated experience and panoramic vistas of Icebergs. Also famously home to some of the city’s greatest spots for R&R, treat yourself to a spa day at Fayshell to bring your tired, travel-worn skin back to life. By night, check out the live jazz at Mama Saan, the scarlet-lit Asian-fusion restaurant whose menu is stacked with sharing plates for feasting with family and friends. While you’re at it, add a gin tasting at artisan distillers Bondi Liquor Co to your itinerary, and spend some time perusing Bondi Markets for one-of-a-kind finds and boutique bargains.
Marrickville
Sydney’s inner west is where the cool kids hang out, and there’s a lot happening on any given day underneath the flight path. So to enjoy a summer stay and connect to Sydney like a local, Marrickville is your next stop for pubs, breweries and entertainment. Checking out the lineup at The Factory Theatre is never a bad idea - the entertainment hub features comedy and live music year-round, welcoming a healthy mix of local and international acts. In the lead up to a live show, sit down for an arvo sesh at The Vic on the Park, enjoying sips in the sun and shooting hoops with the locals on the half court, or hit Valentinas all day diner for a lazy, long lunch. We love our home-grown heroes in Sydney, and the local breweries are in fine form around Marrickville - hit up The Bob Hawke Beer and Leisure Centre for Chinese food, a round of pool, and to sample the brews from Hawke’s Brewing Co. Pop your bot in a booth at Grifter brewery, or pass a sunny afternoon in the open air garden bar at Philter.
Manly
After spending so much time in the central suburbs, stretch your sea legs and breathe in the salty air on a ferry trip to Manly. The voyage gives you a completely different view of the city, and you’ll have great photo ops of the whole harbour as you make your way to one of the best suburbs for sun-soaked sipping. Assembly Label is perfect for shopping laid-back looks, or pick up pieces from Australian and international labels at Bow and Arrow. Hugos on the wharf is a local favourite for lazy summer lunches slurp pasta as good as nonna's at Busta, hit up Hemingways for beachside brekky or a boozy evening, or drop in at 4 Pines Brew Pub for casual beachside brews and live acoustic nights that are a local summer favourite.
Sydney is serving non-stop summer sweetness—its beaches and bars, breweries and spas are ready to give you the reset you need this season. Starting your next staycation or vacation at Hotel Indigo puts you in the perfect pozzie to start your adventure and weave your way around the best parts of town. So check in your bags, set your phone to ‘Do Not Disturb’ and get ready to soak up the city like a local.
Editor’s note: This article is sponsored by Hotel Indigo and proudly endorsed by The Urban List. To find out more about who we work with and why read our editorial policy here.
Image credits: Hotel Indigo, Yellow, Armorica, Porch and Parlour, Valentina's and Busta