HUGHENDEN BOUTIQUE HOTEL

Heritage residence brimming with charm in leafy Sydney suburb

LEAFY QUEEN STREET in the affluent Sydney suburb of Woollahra is the setting for this balconied heritage hotel. Built in the 1870s, The Hughenden is a gracious Victorian villa with vibrant literary and arty connections.

The hotel has a long and colourful history. Originally built for the Quaife family, it was known as Matilda’s Boarding House (and was later a dance hall) back in World War Two. Now a welcoming (and slightly eccentric) throwback to Victorian Sydney, it has been billed as the Hogwarts of boutique hotels.

Wander through the Hughenden’s passageways for glimpses of the building’s past: you’ll see black marble fireplaces, an elaborate wrought iron staircases, an old rocking horse, servants’ bells and a grand piano. Art exhibitions are staged here regularly, and your visit might coincide with one of the owners’ regular Music & Merlot evenings.

Colonial style trimmings

Bedrooms – cosy rather than huge – are brimming with old-fashioned comforts. You’ll find high ceilings, big springy beds, colonial-style ceiling fans (don’t worry, there’s aircon too), artsy paintings and touches of Victoriana. Bigger suites have roll-top baths, comfy sofas and original fireplaces. For the max in space and all the trimmings, take the Manor suite –  the villa’s original master bedroom.

There’s candlelit dining in Quaife’s restaurant – often accompanied by Sir Victor tinkling on the baby grand – and fireside colonial high tea on winter Sundays. Regulars love it here, and writers often frequent the Hughenden’s café and book-lined Reading room, where all is old-time comfort without the starchiness.

You’ll enjoy dining in Quaife’s Restaurant or chatting over a cappuccino on the outdoor verandah, after a stroll around splendid Centennial Park just across the street. And the hotel's All Day Breakfast at weekends means you won't be turfed out of bed early.

The feel is more that of a welcoming B&B than a facility-packed hotel. For those for whom travel-with-pooch is essential, The Hughenden is also pet-friendly. Courtyard rooms are designed with walkies in mind and there’s even an exclusive doggy-dining area.

From here, you can shop on Oxford Street, jog around Centennial Park or skip over to Bondi – just hop on a bus at the front door. Trendy Paddington and elegant Woollahra, with its cafes, antiques and art galleries, are on the doorstep.


Hughenden Boutique Hotel was reviewed for Room for Romance by Carolyne Jasinski

Click on any picture to enlarge it and move through the gallery.

Dining in
Visiting Brits will feel right at home in Quaife’s restaurant and piano bar. The decor has a touch of olde-worlde colonial, while the menu is more Victorian English meets modern Australian. Dine on dishes such as grilled baby spatchcock and (a Hughenden favourite), slow-cooked lamb shank pie. Desserts range from über-traditional apple crumble to more modish passionfruit souffle. And did we mention breakfast? It's so good the locals come here to start the day – and it's served all day at weekends. You can also demolish piles of scones and jam at the hotel's colonial high tea on Sundays.

Dining out
Check out Claude's – a Sydney institution – in nearby Oxford Street for good French cooking, and Bill's – another staple for Sydneysiders – in Queen Street.  Both are less than five minutes away.

See & Do
Don't miss the iconic Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge (everyone does the bridge climb these days), browse around the quayside attractions of Darling Harbour, take a ferry to Manly or check out some of the native wildlife in Taronga Zoo. Go jogging in nearby Centennial Park or hit the surf on world famous Bondi Beach. Interesting museums in town include Elizabeth Bay House – a great insight into lives of the early colonial settlers.

Shop
Trawl for interesting Australiana at Woollahra Arts and Antiques, or head for the boutique-y stores of The Rocks and Double Bay. Sydney also has some great weekend markets.

After dark
Traditional pubs in Paddington and Woollahra guarantee a warm welcome, while the clubs of Darlinghurst are home to the late-late crowd. Check out the Friday edition of the Sydney Morning Herald for current theatre, concert and other listings, or join one of The Hughenden's regular Music & Merlot evenings.

Dates
January
Soak up a feast of music, dance, theatre and outdoorevents at the annual Sydney Festival.

February
Rivalling the fun of New Orleans, Sydney's decidedly pink Mardi Gras is a riot of sights and sounds.

April
Known as the Great Australian Muster, the two-week Sydney Royal Easter Show gets underway at the city's Showground.

GETTING THERE

Location
Queen Street, Woollhara, NSW 2025

Parking
There is free guest parking

Trains
Edgecliff station – a 15 minute walk.

Taxis
Around AUD 25 from Sydney Airport

Airport
Sydney (Kingsford Smith) International

ESSENTIAL INFO

Rates guide
AUD 150 – 325

Open/closed
Open all year

Check-in
2pm

Check-out
10am

Minimum night stay?
No

Breakfast
Breakfast is served until 9:30am – or all day at weekends.

Room service
Available morning and evening

Children
Welcome

Pets
Welcome – ask for one of the designated pet-friendly rooms with a patio for your furry friend.

Air conditioning
Yes – all rooms

Languages
English

Wedding license?
Yes – The Hughenden can hold civil weddings for up to 60 guests.

Eco conscience
Recycling and reduced towel laundry is encouraged.

Your contact
Scott Allan – general manager