This is the lovely, leafy view of the city you get once you step out of the front door at the Simpsons

Simpsons of Potts Point Sydney, New South Wales From AUD$215

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Colonial comforts, free internet access and help-yourself decanters of sherry and port — need you ask for more in the guest lounge of Simpsons?

I have been disappointed too many times with smaller 'boutique' options — with entrances in a row of shops, although perhaps with big rooms upstairs, but often no outside space, and that general feeling of 'you are a room not a person'.

Or too often, the reality of 'boutique hotel' in a city has meant tiny rooms but with 'cool' furniture! Not falling for that trick anymore!

Hmm, it's a tricky one for sure. And, yes, sometimes it is easier to think "well, if I am going to be anonymous, I may as well get my creature comforts of a big hotel, with its big beds and big buffet breakfast", and I admit I am often lured to the sense of security a big hotel brings... and usually disappointed I am not an exalted guest. But of course that just wouldn't do for inspired Australia!

I spent a lot of time researching places to stay in Sydney that were not 'B&Bs' (I just can't do that overly close proximity to my host — sorry), but were not too 'boutique' (i.e. overly hip and expensive for the sake of it) either.

This search, in fact, found me quite outside my comfort zone, and booking into what I thought was going to be the overly chintzy, and rather old-fashioned, Simpsons of Potts Point. I couldn't have been more wrong.

Country estate or safari lodge? We think these fabulous interiors are impressive — we think you will too

The property is a beautiful heritage building, and to have some modern furniture in there just wouldn't be right. So the furniture, while chintzy, is not actually stuffy or too (as I think I delicately put it) 'old lady'. Simpsons has traditional furniture, yes, but nice antiques and old fashioned style of fittings that ooze comfort and warmth. I have never lived in a house decorated like this, and would never decorate my own like it either, but it definitely works here. And I felt right at home (even though it didn't resemble my home — as explained!).

The 'Guard Owl' welcomes you inside the front door at Simpsons!

And so this is what Simpsons is like. The random and interesting artefacts dotted around, the owl (which I swear is straight out of "Bagpuss" as you come in the front door), the nick nacks (absolutely the correct term!) from colonial places, and great piles of interesting books on the coffee table — and that is just the hall and lounge alone.

Also in the lounge is another of my favourite things, the free port and sherry — such a nice touch, and I can't believe I forgot to help myself during our stay! I was too comfortable in my room to remember...

Large, well appointed and comfortable rooms allow you plenty of space to spread out, unpack everything and sprawl — a rare feature of city hotels

The rooms are all furnished individually, but all are very comfortable and are nice places to be. I like hotel rooms to be comfortable enough that I actually feel I can sit around and enjoy them, not rush out as soon as I get there as they are too small, or not relaxing places to be. Our room was great. In fact we had a choice of 2, as both the dormer rooms were available and we were given the option of picking either one when we arrived. How nice.

When we arrived, in fact, we were 'let in' over the intercom — sounds impersonal, but actually was far from it. When no one is in, then the intercom links directly through to a mobile phone of the manager on duty, and all instructions and welcomes are given over the phone. The door code imparted, we were then free to settle ourselves in. This actually doesn't read very friendly, but I can assure you it was!

In fact, it wasn't long before we met the Simpson's team anyway, to welcome us in person (and recommend the great Metrio Café across the road for a great lunch, coffee (a 10 out of 10 double espresso even — a rare accolade!) and nice glass of Sicilian red).

You can't help but be impressed by the sparkling and amply-stocked bathroom (lots of fluffy towels - just out of shot!)

At this point, I need to make clear that we were in fact in one of the smallest rooms the hotel has. Having looked around most of the other rooms, it has to be said that some are just short of palatial — fantastic.

Overall, the property is immaculate, from its shiny polished floorboards to its sweeping staircases, up to the skylights in our dormer room. And everything has been thought about. For example, you may be surprised to hear that the sun doesn't shine every day in Sydney, and for those days when it doesn't (and this is quite often when we are there, so chose your dates accordingly!) it rains.

Now when it rains in Sydney it really rains, so just grab one of the free-to-borrow large umbrellas by the front door of Simpsons and off you go. Perfect!

Yes, it does rain in Australia! But even across a rain-swept Woolloomooloo from the end of Simpsons' street, it's always a thrill to see the Harbour Bridge (and you can just make out the peaks of the Opera House too if you look closely...)

There is a huge amount of tourist information to browse through in the lovely and bright (even when it's raining) conservatory, which is where breakfast is served. But also make sure you ask Keith, Marie or Jacquie about what you want to do, as they will always be able to help you. Adjacent to the conservatory is a little kitchen which, although it isn't an official guest kitchen, we were made most welcome to use (ideal for parents travelling with babies or little ones who need a snack).

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And I mustn't forget the wi-fi. It's free. Yes, I couldn't believe it either. Finally a hotel that has enough respect for its guests that it includes free wi-fi in the room rate, and doesn't use this as an excuse to fleece them while staying (this is a real pet hate of mine — apologies for rant!).

You have breakfast in the smartly-laid conservatory, where a fabulous continental spread is ready for you at the beginning of each day

I very much enjoy a really well done continental breakfast, as I always feel much more virtuous for the rest of the day than after a great big fry up (even though I am sure when I get stuck into a few croissants the calories are equal!).

The conservatory is laid with lovely smart table cloths on lots of small tables to sit at which are close enough to be friendly, but separate enough so you can keep to yourself, which I think is just right.

If there wasn't a vibrant city full of sight-seeing a few minutes walk away I could quite happily sit here for an hour or more eating and reading. There is no sense of rush.

The grand entrance to Simpsons hints at the style and quality waiting inside

Challis Avenue, with Simpsons halfway up on the left, as seen from the Royal Botanic Gardens, across Woolloomooloo (with a zoom lens, I must add!)

I am always a big fan of 'neighbourhood dining' when in a city, as then I think you really get a feel for a place. Plus, the added bonus is you can walk home after a couple of glasses of wine! Potts Point couldn't be more perfect for this.

Simpsons is what every small city hotel should be: welcoming, comfortable, in a great neighbourhood, and close enough to the 'centre' of the city for easy sight-seeing, but far enough away to have a neighbourhood feel, with great cafes and restaurants on its doorstep.

Yes, it's not achingly 'hip', but 'boutique' it certainly is. And lovely. I can't wait for our next stay.

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