Crystalbrook Albion
A converted 1903 convent with a rooftop garden bar
About this hotel
Housed in a heritage building dating back to 1903, originally a school convent, Crystalbrook Albion pairs eclectic heritage-and-contemporary interiors with a rooftop garden oasis looking over Surry Hills and the wider city. An honour bar with top-shelf beverages sits alongside a 24-hour desk and a team of hosts offering individualised service rather than a standard check-in. Sustainability runs through the stay, from no single-use plastic key cards to large-pump amenities and partnerships with local environmental groups. Rooms feature air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs and private bathrooms with hairdryers, free toiletries, bathrobes and slippers, set within a heritage shell that gives the whole property a genuinely different character from the CBD's newer towers.
- 1903 heritage building
- Rooftop garden
- Surry Hills setting
- Sustainability initiatives
Our take
This suits travellers who want a boutique, character-led stay in Surry Hills rather than a CBD tower, and those who care about a hotel's sustainability practices. Anyone wanting a large pool or harbourfront address should look toward Circular Quay instead. Its rooftop garden alone justifies the trip out to Surry Hills for many guests.
- Book a rooftop garden evening early in the stay, it's the property's signature moment
- Explore Surry Hills' independent cafes on foot rather than heading straight into the CBD
- Ask about the honour bar's top-shelf selection, it's more considered than a standard minibar
Why we love it
- A rooftop garden oasis
- The 1903 heritage building
- An honour bar with top-shelf drinks
- Genuine sustainability initiatives
Why guests love itCrystalbrook Albion occupies a former 1903 school convent in Surry Hills, which gives older children a bit of Sydney history at the door. The rooftop garden is the calm spot I would head to in the evening, with the honour bar for parents. Sustainability initiatives, including no single-use plastic, suit families who care about them. The CBD is a short walk away. A 9.1 score from more than 420 reviews is strong.