My husband and I spent a delightful 3 nights in Room 10 at Simpsons. It was a first trip to Australia for both of us, and I believe we fell in love with Sydney certainly partially as a result of the staff at Simpsons and the place itself.

We were immediately struck by the warm and personal welcome from Vanessa who greeted us by name and shook our hands even before we had introduced ourselves. She showed us around and painstakingly (not perfunctorily, as is usually the case) marked useful information on a map. She patiently addressed all our questions. That first impression was a strong and very positive one, created by a genuinely service-oriented young woman. It was followed by pleasant interactions with both Marie and Keith - consistently gracious hosts.

Room 10 was the brightest room on the second floor. In addition to its charm, it was appointed with small conveniences that one doesn't usually find in one accomodation. They were all present in Room 10 - windows in two directions that opened, a loveseat and coffee table, effective sconces and lamps, a good-sized desk, a small fridge, ample storage room for shoes, hanging and folded clothes, and lots of surface areas for knick-knacks such as sunglasses, guidebooks etc. The bathroom was very small and steamed up quickly, but the rain shower was wonderful. The "king" bed was two doubles pushed together - not optimal, but perfectly adequate. We made much use of the coffee and tea making service, as we did the computer (and the sherry!) in the drawing room downstairs. The only "issue" with the room was that, due to a misunderstanding, it did not have the balcony we were expecting. (I believe only one room has a balcony). Vanessa handled this problem promptly, forthrtightly and pleasantly and, after checking their file, offered a 10% discount on the price, which we gladly accepted.

The breakfasts were served in an attractive, albeit cold, solarium, with a good selection of continental fare - pastries, toasted breads, bagels and english muffins (with cream cheese and jams), cereals, juices, fresh and dried fruits, and yogurt. Newspapers were provided. The breakfasts were satisfying and we did not leave the table wanting.

The neighbourhood could not have been better. It was ideal - replete with trendy bars, restaurants, and shops and close to the sites without being "downtown" alongside large chain hotels. It had a chic but lived-in feel. Simpsons itself is on Challis, a gorgeous street, with gracious and elegant period establishments. Bus stops were within a block or two - and one bus gets you directly to the harbour, opera house, and all the sites on every visitor's must-see list. We used the busses a lot to get around inexpensively.

The only small blemish was on the morning of our departure when unbeknownst to us, we came down to breakfast 30 minutes early (it was a Saturday and breakfast times started and ended later) and were met by server who was less than gracious. I believe difficulty with engligh may have been part of the problem, but she did not smile or explain that unfortunately we were early, or that to try and accomodate us she would try to have things out sooner. Nor did she even try to "act" or "sound" accomodating, understanding or reassuring. Rather she appeared annoyed with and disapproving of us, a reaction that was a bit surprising for an inn that otherwise exemplified first-rate, personal service.

We will without doubt stay at Simpsons should we return to Sydney, and would wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone. If you are looking for accomodations in Sydney, I can assure you that you will love the vibrant neighbourhood, the charming rooms, the gracious owners, and the attention paid to all the little extra details that made this for us such an enjoyable stay.