This past weekend, Tietse and I were in Sydney attending a Holiday and Travel Show. Two days on your feet, talking to hopeful passengers in the exciting planning stages of their trip, can be a pretty full on way to spend the weekend. The venue was ten minutes out of the CBD of Sydney and initially I was looking at accommodation in town.

However, with a good recommendation from a friend, I was able to twist the weekend around a little and find a gem of a small hotel by the beach. The weekend was transformed from a rather dull city experience, to a memorable and fun stay. We were able to swim after the shows, enjoy a lovely hotel with a great friendly vibe and relax in the fun spot of Coogee.

This short Sydney stay has reminded me how critical a hotel is when travelling. Its location, its style and its ability to make you feel at ease imprints upon your experience. The cafe near the hotel, the side streets around it and people that you meet inside really shape your impressions of a city. We take hotels seriously at 50 Degrees North and this weekend has reinforced how much of an impact a good hotel has on your personal tour.