A Colourful Sydney Escape: My Stay at ADGE Hotel in Surry Hills

ADGE Hotel & Residences

Sydney’s vibrant Surry Hills neighbourhood provided the setting for my recent city getaway, with a stay at ADGE Hotel & Residences on Riley Street offering a comfortable base from which to explore the city’s restaurants, creative laneways, shopping and attractions.

Combining contemporary accommodation, colourful design and a convenient inner-city location, ADGE is a hotel with plenty of personality.

A Colourful Welcome in the Lobby

ADGE Hotel Lobby

From the moment I entered the hotel, its distinctive character was evident. The impressive lobby is an inviting introduction to the property, featuring striking colours, eclectic furnishings and an eye-catching mural by Australian artist Adrian Hing.

The reception area has a spacious, dramatic feel, with its triple-height design creating an impressive arrival experience. Rather than the conventional appearance of a city hotel, ADGE embraces a lively design influenced by art, fashion and contemporary culture.

My ADGE King Balcony Room

ADGE King Balcony Room

My accommodation was an ADGE King Balcony Room, providing a relaxing retreat after a day exploring Sydney.

The room featured a comfortable king-sized bed, a private balcony accessed through glass sliding doors, and city-side neighbourhood views. Its colourful interior design, including the striking patterned carpeting, continued the hotel's distinctive personality, while the furnishings and facilities provided the practical comforts expected by today's travellers.

The room was well equipped with air conditioning, a Smart television with cable channels, complimentary wireless internet, a desk and seating area, a wardrobe, in-room safe, SMEG refrigerator, coffee machine and a selection of herbal teas. A convenient charging station catered for both iPhone and Android devices. The bathroom featured a bath and shower, complemented by APOTHICALS toiletries by Damana. 

Another welcome feature was how quiet the hotel was at night. Despite being located in the heart of Surry Hills, I enjoyed a peaceful night's sleep, making my room a comfortable retreat after a busy day exploring Sydney.

ADGE King Balcony Room

Having a balcony was a particularly enjoyable feature, providing an opportunity to take in the surrounding city views from the privacy of my room. Looking out to the right, I could spot two of the distinctive peaks of the Sydney Opera House, catch a glimpse of Sydney Harbour and see the top of the Sydney Tower Eye rising above the city skyline. Looking straight ahead, the view extended across the charming low-rise older buildings of Surry Hills, offering a delightful contrast to the modern city towers in the distance. It was a lovely way to appreciate Sydney's varied cityscape while enjoying the comfort of my own room.

A $65 Million Transformation

ADGE Hotel & Residences

ADGE's development represents a substantial investment in Sydney accommodation. The $65 million transformation was undertaken in stages, beginning with the opening of the first new hotel rooms in 2023.

The redevelopment incorporated the neighbouring former Cambridge Hotel, which was refurbished and integrated into the expanded property. A second designer tower opened in 2024, adding another 149 guest rooms and bringing the hotel to a total of 254 rooms and residences.

The project involved Tzannes and Team 2 Architects, with interiors designed by SJB. Its colourful interiors, distinctive furnishings and contemporary architecture reflect the creative character of Surry Hills.

Dining and Exploring Surry Hills

Golosa Cafe

Guests have dining choices within the hotel and its immediate surroundings. ADGE's current dining offerings include Bronte Belo, serving Brazilian-inspired and Australian-influenced food, Groovy Nights, with Japanese-inspired small plates and drinks, and Golosa Cafe, an Italian-style neighbourhood cafe.

Beyond the hotel, Riley Street is an excellent starting point for discovering the cafes, restaurants, bars, galleries, boutiques and creative businesses scattered throughout Surry Hills. Nearby Crown Street and Oxford Street offer further opportunities for dining, shopping and exploring the local arts and culture scene.

Groovy Nights

I particularly enjoyed wandering through the smaller streets and laneways, where independent shops, art and craft studios and unexpected discoveries give the neighbourhood its individual character.

One small street that caught my attention during my wanderings around Surry Hills was Goodchap Street, a quiet, narrow street near Little Riley Street. It has a charming collection of older, two-storey terrace houses, many reflecting the traditional residential architecture of the late Victorian and early twentieth-century periods. Their modest facades and close-set buildings offer a glimpse into the area's earlier working-class residential history, providing an interesting contrast to the modern hotel towers and contemporary developments nearby.

ADGE Hotel & Residences

However, it was the street's unusual name that really intrigued me. Who was Goodchap? Was it named by a man who thought highly enough of himself to put his own name on a street, or did a neighbour choose the name to honour a good friend? I found myself pondering the possibilities as I wandered along this quiet little street. It was one of those unexpected discoveries that made exploring the backstreets of Surry Hills all the more interesting.

A search of City of Sydney archival records reveals a 1925 municipal file referring to the proposed name Goodchap Street for a lane behind the Riley Estate. Earlier records also refer to C. A. Goodchap, Commissioner for Railways. Whether the street was named specifically in his honour is not established by those records, but the connection makes this little laneway all the more intriguing.

A Convenient Location for Discovering Sydney

View from my ADGE Hotel balcony

ADGE is situated at 212 Riley Street, within easy reach of Sydney's central business district. Central Station is approximately a 12-minute walk away, while nearby bus stops provide connections towards the city and Bondi Beach.

The location makes it convenient for visitors wanting to explore Sydney's major attractions, enjoy its beaches or experience the entertainment and dining districts. It is also an appealing base for visitors attending concerts, theatre performances and events around the city.

My Sydney Stay

ADGE Hotel Lobby

My stay at ADGE Hotel & Residences combined comfortable accommodation, colourful surroundings and the opportunity to explore one of Sydney's most interesting inner-city neighbourhoods. Its redevelopment has created a distinctive hotel offering, while its Riley Street location makes it a convenient choice for leisure and business travellers.

For visitors seeking boutique-style accommodation close to Sydney's restaurants, creative culture and city attractions, ADGE is well worth considering.

ADGE Hotel & Residences

ADGE Hotel & Residences
Website: https://adgehotel.com.au/
Email: concierge@adgehotel.com.au
Telephone: +61 2 8093 9888
Address: 212 Riley Street, Surry Hills, NSW 2010, Australia

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