The Grace Hotel is one of Sydney's most unusual. Opened in 1997, its wholly within a Heritage listed art deco building opened in 1930 as the headquarters for Sydney's then department store moguls, the Grace Brothers.
It was modelled on the Chicago Tribune building in the USA, and for a time in World War II was General Douglas Macarthur's South Pacific headquarters.
While the exterior of the hotel was restored to its original condition along with some of its public areas, the guest rooms were built new inside the shell.
The Grace Hotel takes the end of a city block with frontages on York, King and Clarence Streets, about 500 metres from the Town Hall precinct and the city's main shopping area.
It was designed as a four-star property specifically to meet the needs of today's computer and communications conscious business traveller.
ll rooms and suites have a purpose-built workstation with facsimile and modem ports and three direct-dial telephones. The hotel's business centre also has computer data and Internet access, and it has Cyber relations staff with a high level of technical knowledge. An in-room entertanment centre includes cable television, on-demand movies and Nintendo games.
The hotel has 382 rooms including six suites and three rooms for the disabled.
Guests have a choice of King or twin beds. The Grace Brasserie and Grill offers buffet and a la carte dining, The Grace Deli & Café Co a blend of Australian and Mediterranean café-style food. The café also has a takeaway service for guests in a hurry, and there is 24-hour room service.
The Sophisticated Grace Wine Bar offers more than 30 Australian wines by the glass and has a Pasta Bar which is open at Lunch time Tuesday to Friday and Friday evening.
There are two pubs on corners opposite The Grace, both serving meals, and several restaurants within walking distance. The George Street bus route to The Rocks and Sydney Opera House is a short block away.
