Guest Author - Jill Browne

Sydney, Australia is one of the world's great cities. Travelling there from North America or Europe is expensive. Is there anywhere reasonably priced to stay?

Self-contained apartments with cooking are a solid option for stays of two days or longer, particularly for families or groups. Roslyn Gardens Serviced Apartments is an apartment hotel located in a pleasant subdivision called Elizabeth Bay. The building looks like it originally held regular apartments that have been converted to fully furnished hotel suites. The units are compact, clean and comfortable.

There is regular bus service with a stop about 100 metres (100 yards) from the front door. In under half an hour, a direct city bus will take you from Elizabeth Bay to Circular Quay.

Two of Sydney's most famous sights, Sydney Opera House and the Harbour Bridge, are both located near Circular Quay. This is the oldest part of Sydney and a must-see in its own right. The quay itself is a major bus and ferry terminal for the entire city, including service to Darling Harbour and the Central Business District (CBD). From Elizabeth Bay to Circular Quay by bus is a pleasant ride, almost all along the picturesque waterfront. From Circular Quay you can catch a bus or a ferry to the city centre. Staying in Elizabeth Bay lets you cover all the places you're likely to want to see in Sydney from one base.

The neighbourhood of Elizabeth Bay is an upscale, but not pretentious, enclave with some fine homes. From Roslyn Gardens it is just a short walk down a steep walkway to Rushcutters Bay. This pleasant park is the home of the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia and the starting point for the annual yacht race from Sydney to Hobart, Tasmania. If you're there on Boxing Day, December 26th, you'll have the added thrill of seeing the yachts head out under the brilliant Australian sun.

On a map, Elizabeth Bay is close to King's Cross, a neighbourhood famous for its more risqué atmosphere. The King's Cross ambience does not reach as far as Roslyn Gardens, but the colourful night life is only a few blocks away should you be looking for it.

The first advantage of apartment hotels or other self-catering arrangements (rooms with cooking facilities) is that you can save money on food without sacrificing quality. Half a block from Roslyn Gardens there's a small grocery store, a wine store, and a specialty deli with ready-to-eat meals. These have reasonable – not discount, but reasonable – prices and are extremely convenient, particularly if you do not have a car.

There is a reasonably priced laundromat across the street, where an attendant will take your laundry from you and have it ready by the next day.

Roslyn Gardens has suites to sleep from one to four people (a small suite, suitable for a family with children), all with en suite toilet and shower. Current rates, date availability, and details are on the Roslyn Gardens website.