Checked in after 23 hour flight, went to bed to be woken by bed bugs that had bitten me. Bedding was changed - mattress cover absolutely filthy - bugs returned.
Moved to another room - no bugs, but very shabby, dirty, tired, and in need of refurbishment.
Staff the only saving grace - all charming - but do not stay there - its a dump!

This Boutique Hotel is one of our worst experiences after staying in many hotels world wide. Arrived at the hotel after flying in from New Zealand (turned out to be 12 hrs travel) to be told they had 'upgraded' us to a more luxurious room! We should have know better! The room was right next to reception! and unfortunately the desk is manned 24 hrs! The bedhead in the room is against the reception wall and when the 'night watchman' received phone calls during the night enquiring about accommodation we were able to hear the whole conversation. Plus his typing on the computer the remainder of the time. Of course when anyone arrived back to their room they were greeted very loudly by the night watchman. Plus anyone staying in the rooms upstairs can be heard moving about.
We pointed out to the unfriendly manager the next morning, in a friendly manner, that they should not use this room and the reasons plus suggested that she should stay in it a night to 'appreciate' the noise level. She did not apologise just suggested that we ask for an upstairs room on our next visit (not likely!) and that we owed approx $3 for local phone calls! only positive is the breakfast which was included in the room rate. We certainly will not stay here again or recommend it to others.

I made the mistake of booking this hotel based on the reviews below.
Unfriendly and unwelcoming staff, a TINY cramped room and questionable housekeeping (There was a dried contact lens in my sheets, among other remnants of the previous guest) made this hotel far from charming. At a rate of $270 AU a night, you can do much better. The Medina on Crown is in the same neighborhood and last time I stayed, they changed their sheets between guests.

A cut above even the more lavish designer boutique hotels. Well appointed rooms with some real antiques. Well priced, if you shop about. Get a back room on the first floor to avoid busy Flinders St traffic noise, which is a good loaction. The continental breakfast is rare for a Sydney boutique hotel. Some parking but you need to be first in-best dressed.