This was one of my best ever hotel stays, perhaps because it is not your typical hotel. Set up with several rooms that they call suites each is quite unique and individual. We were in the Cloud Suite which consisted of the main bedroom with queen sized bed and also a bathroom with a Jacuzzi tub and stand alone shower.

Check in was a breeze in that there really is no check in. We arrived and rang from the front door to Damien that we were there. He buzzed us in and came out to meet us. Showed us around a little which really meant the living/sitting room then up to our room. This was on the 1st floor (2nd in America) facing the street. Here he left us to ourselves, and left the registration card for us to "bring down in the morning at breakfast, no rush."

The room itself was quite amazing. I did not measure the size but would say that it is about 14 by 21 feet or so. From the door facing the window and street you have the wardrobe and TV along the left wall. Inside the wardrobe we found a full ironing board, iron and hair dryer as well as extra blankets and pillows and room to hang our clothes. Under the TV you find the refrigerator with mini bar and also a DVD player with a fairly large selection of DVDs. In front of the window is the couch and in the right side corner the chair. The bed is on the right wall and is one of the most comfortable I’ve ever been in.

The bathroom is to the right on the wall that the main door is on. It opens with the toilet behind the door and the sink to your left. Stand alone shower by the window and a large Jacuzzi tub.

Each morning they give a light breakfast of breads, cereal, and canned fruits and some fresh fruit along with juice and tea/coffee. This is given in the solarium in the back down stairs. Their main office is just off of this too where they are very happy to give ideas and help you out with what ever it is you possibly need. The service and the people are the best parts of this place and trust me the room was amazing.

Would you like a little taste of what it would be like to stay with a rich relative? That is what it is like staying at Simpson's of Potts Point (http://www.simpsonspottspoint.com.au). You are staying in a beautifully restored 19th century mansion, complete with leaded glass in the windows.

I worked mostly with John, but everyone there was helpful in finding things to see and do on this trip. Very warm and caring people.

Breakfast is served in a sunny conservatory and you can chat with other guests.Very often they have good ideas for things to do too. (One couple just RAVED about the Bridge Climb, but I still didn't do it). You can sip sherry or port while checking your email with free internet access in the evening.

You are just a short walk from the Botanical Gardens and from the night life in King's Cross. (Kings Cross can range from seedy to posh in the space of a block ... and there are some very good restaurants there.) I'll admit this was the pricest place I stayed on my holiday. Prices are just plain higher in Sydney than they are most places. In terms of "value for dollar spent", however, Simpson's ranks way up there on the top of the list.

A very friendly B&B. 14-room hotel created from an 1892 mansion. Rooms are large, clean and nicely furnished. Located in an quiet, scenic neighborhood but, only 10 minutes from the Opera House and downtown. Mixed gay/straight clientele. web: http://www.simpsonspottspoint.com.au/ e-mail: peter@simpsonspottspoint.com.au