THE BIG SLEEP

   TOP HOTELS

7 Hickson Rd, The Rocks. Tel 241 1234 Fax 256 1524 Where the stars and media heavies stay. Tremendous atmosphere caused by prime position opposite the Opera House. Spacious rooms, balconies overlooking the harbour and two restaurants (No 7 and the more casual Varendah) snuggling on to the water.

ANA

The Rocks. Tel 250 6000 Fax 221 3614 Very Australian, from the materials used to the artists and designers commissioned.

Intercontinental

Macquarie St, City. Tel 240 1200 Fax 240 1287 Modern high rise with excellent views of the city.

Regent

George St, The Rocks. Tel 238 0000 Fax 251 2851 Contemporary excellence and solid, personal service.

Ritz Carlton

Macquarie St, City. Tel 252 4600 Fax 252 4759 If you like London establishment clubs, you'll feel at home here.

The Park Lane

Elizabeth St, City. Tel 286 6000, Fax 286 6686 Classy new hotel with unpredictable and exciting restaurant.

Quay West Apartments

98 Gloucester St, City. Tel 240 600 Fax 240 6060 New and avant garde.

The Observatory Hotel

89-113 Kent St. City. Tel 256 2222 Fax 256 2233 New five-star hotel with massive indoor pool in its serious health centre, and an old-fashioned, cedar-panelled bar.

  ALSO RECOMMENDED

54 McLaren St, North Sydney. Tel 922 1311 Fax 922 4939 Advertising industry favourite with keen staff intent on competing with central city hotels

Ritz Carlton Double Bay

Cross St, Double Bay. Tel 362 4455 Fax 362 4744 Excellent amenieties and top service from mostly young staff

  THE OUT OF TOWNERS

Hermitage Road, Pokolbin 2321. Tel (049) 98 7888. Fax (049) 98 7692 Set in the Hunter Vineyards, two hours drive west of Sydney. Eight fantasy suites decorated in themes like French bordello, Victorian, Colonial, Marine etc. Modern Australian cuisine with Asian influence.

Lilianfels Blue Mountains

Lilianfels Avenue, Echo Point, Katoomba 2780. Tel (047) 80 1200/008 024 452. Fax (047) 8030 1300 Elegant European-style country house with 86 rooms in the Blue Mountains 90 minutes drive from Sydney. Darley's Restaurant offers fine dining in a historic home environment.