Enjoy Australia Day in Sydney at Metro Hotel on Pitt - Metro Hotels

For Sydneysiders and regional visitors to Sydney looking to enjoy some of the many events planned for Sydney this Australia Day long weekend, Metro Hotel on Pitt, in the heart of Sydney’s CBD, is offering a great value Australia Day Package from $179* per night (real value of package is $313).

To help you celebrate Australia Day in Sydney, Metro Hotel on Pitt’s Australia Day Package includes

• One night’s accommodation for two in a Superior Deluxe Queen room
• Lunch or dinner for two people at Paradiso Restaurant (2 courses with a glass of Australian wine or beer)
• Late checkout till 1pm
• *offer valid for January 26 – 28, 2013; subject to availability
• *Full prepayment is required at time of booking.

Some of the events planned for Sydney include the Australia Day Tall Ships Parade on Sydney Harbour; Australia Day CARnivale, one of the largest vintage car displays in the southern hemisphere; Sample Sydney, giving you an opportunity to visit a host of Sydney’s most popular cultural institutions and public buildings free-of-charge; GIO Oz Day 10K, where over 40 wheelchair athletes descend upon The Rocks to participate in this exciting 10K race; Festival of the Voice in The Rocks, a free celebration of Australian music and song on the edge of Sydney Harbour; and Darling Harbour Australia Day Spectacular, a stunning multimedia symphony of light and music, culminating in a fireworks display over Cockle Bay, to name just a few.

Previously a central city Post Office, Metro Hotel on Pitt is located in a charming, heritage-listed building at 300 Pitt Street, making it an easy walk to Cockle Bay and Darling Harbour, The Rocks, and Sydney Harbour.

Metro Hotel on Pitt offers 115 comfortable four-star guest rooms complete with modern facilities such as broadband Internet connectivity, key card access to rooms and lift, and cable television. The Hotel offers a mix of standard, superior and executive rooms, all with ensuite bathrooms, and offers 24 hour reception and room service till 10 pm.

The Hotel’s facilities include a fully licensed bar and restaurant, Paradiso, offering a range of Modern Australian and European dishes, and a comprehensive wine list with a choice of local and imported wines.

Guests are able to book the Australia Day Package at Metro Hotel on Pitt by calling the toll free Central Reservations line on 1800 004 321. Alternately guests can book online by logging onto Metro Hotels' website at www.metrohotels.com.au.

Metro Hotel on Pitt - Image Tour

Metro Hotel on Pitt - Image Tour

Free Christmas on the Green @ Hyde Park

Pack a picnic and make a night of it

Christmas on the Green, a great night for kids at Christmas

Christmas on the Green is traditionally one of the high points of the Christmas calendar for those with young children in Sydney, and 2012 is set to be no different - in fact, it's going to be a cracker. As in past years, Hyde Park will be transformed into a Christmas wonderland - the perfect space for families with younger children to settle down with a picnic and get the festive season off to a fantastic start.

Kids' favourite Jimmy Giggle will be host the night, but there will be entertainment from all sorts of familiar faces, such as Peppa Pig, Mumble and Gloria from Happy Feet Two, and Jay Laga'aia from Playschool. Musical entertainment will be provided by children's entertainment act Electric Lunchbox, the Australian Girl's Choir and Jay Laga'aia will also doing a few songs too.

Jimmy Giggle (sans Hoot) will host Christmas on the Green in Hyde Park. image: ABC

The whole event will be interactive, with songs and actions that the kids can join in with, as well as craft activities that they can take part in. For those who aren't keen on packing a picnic, there will also be a sausage sizzle and delicious gelato on sale. If you want a memento of the night (and to start the Christmas gift giving early), a limited number of showbags will available for a $2 donation - the proceeds go to the Australian Children's Music Foundation charity.

Of course, no Christmas kids event would be complete without Santa, so as if all the other activities are not enough, Santa will also be making an appearance, along with the Lord Mayor, having just lit the lights at Martin Place. He'll be wishing everyone a happy Christmas, and making sure that the boys and girls are going to be good before the big day.

The night's activity will end with a spectacular fireworks display, especially designed for kids.

This event gets pretty busy, so it's wise to get there a little early to get a good spot. Spread out your rug, unpack your snacks, and settle in for the duration, it's going to be a jolly good time.

Welcome in the New Year at Metro Hotel on Pitt - Metro Hotels

Celebrating New Year’s Eve in the city just became easier with Metro Hotel on Pitt’s special New Year’s Eve accommodation package.

Ideally located in the heart of Sydney’s CBD, Metro Hotel on Pitt is the perfect place to base yourself while you head out to enjoy one of the world’s best New Year’s Eve celebrations.

Tourists come from all over the world to see the fireworks display on Sydney Harbour and to enjoy the festive summer atmosphere as Sydney celebrates the end of one year and welcomes in the next - and you can avoid the public transport crush by booking your city hotel.

To help you, Metro Hotel on Pitt has put together a great value NYE Celebrate Sydney Package for just $359.00 per night* ($1077 for 3 nights), which includes:

• One night’s accommodation for two in a Standard Queen room
• Breakfast for two people
• A celebration cocktail for two people
• Free internet
• *Minimum 3 nights stay between 29 December 2012 and 1 January 2013; subject to availability

According to Metro Hotel on Pitt’s Executive Assistant Manager, Lisa Kapinski, Sydney is heavily booked over the New Year period due to the city’s popularity with international guests.

“This is an opportunity for couples to enjoy the free entertainment that the city offers without the hassle of getting in and out of the city,” Ms Kapinski said. “The package is for a three night stay so you can relax and enjoy the city when it is looking its best.

“Metro Hotel on Pitt is an easy walk to all the major tourist attractions. International guests pay thousands of dollars in flights to come to Sydney for New Year’s Eve. Local guests only have to pay the room rate to enjoy everything the city has to offer.”

Previously a central city Post Office, the hotel is located in a charming, heritage-listed building at 300 Pitt Street, within easy walking distance of Darling Harbour, The Rocks, Pitt Street Mall, Queen Victoria Building, Hyde Park and Chinatown.

The Hotel’s facilities include a fully licensed bar and restaurant, Paradiso, offering a range of Modern Australian and European dishes, and a comprehensive wine list with a choice of local and imported wines.  

Guests are able to book the NYE Celebrate Sydney Package at Metro Hotel on Pitt by calling the toll free Central Reservations line on 1800 004 321. Alternately guests can book online by logging onto Metro Hotels' website at www.metrohotels.com.au.

Enjoy a Merry Sydney Christmas at Metro Hotel on Pitt - Metro Hotels

Metro Hotel on Pitt, in the heart of Sydney’s CBD, is offering a very Merry Sydney Christmas package to the many local and international visitors to Sydney who find themselves in transit on Christmas Day, either travelling to a holiday destination or visiting family and friends.

Guests can book Metro Hotel on Pitt’s great value Merry Sydney Christmas Package for $250*, which includes:

• One night’s accommodation for two in a Superior Deluxe Queen room
• Christmas lunch or dinner for two people at Paradiso Restaurant (2 course)
• Breakfast for two people
• Free internet
• *offer valid for December 24 and 25, 2012; subject to availability 

For those who only wish to book the two-course Christmas Day Luncheon or Dinner ($35 per person), please call Paradiso Restaurant direct on 9264 4111.

According to Metro Hotel on Pitt’s Executive Assistant Manager, Lisa Kapinski, the hotel is popular over Christmas because its restaurant is one of the few places open in the Sydney CBD for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

“Our guests can be guaranteed that our restaurant, Paradiso Restaurant, is open for Christmas Eve and the whole of Christmas day,” said Ms Kapinski

Previously a central city Post Office, the hotel is located in a charming, heritage-listed building at 300 Pitt Street, making it easy for guests to explore the city.

It is within easy walking distance of Darling Harbour, The Rocks, Pitt Street Mall, Queen Victoria Building, Hyde Park and Chinatown. Metro Hotel on Pitt is only minutes away from Town Hall and Central railway stations and with monorail and buses at the hotel’s doorstep, making it easy for guests to travel with no fuss to the airport and Sydney’s outlying attractions.

Metro Hotel on Pitt offers 115 comfortable four-star guest rooms complete with modern facilities such as broadband Internet connectivity, key card access to rooms and lift, and cable television. The Hotel offers a mix of standard, superior and executive rooms, all with ensuite bathrooms, and offers 24 hour reception and room service till 10 pm.

The Hotel’s facilities include a fully licensed bar and restaurant, Paradiso, offering a range of Modern Australian and European dishes, and a comprehensive wine list with a choice of local and imported wines.

Guests are able to book the Merry Sydney Christmas Package at Metro Hotel on Pitt by calling the toll free Central Reservations line on 1800 004 321. Alternately guests can book online by logging onto Metro Hotels' website at www.metrohotels.com.au.

Sydney Christmas Sydney gets its Christmas sparkle on

The City of Sydney's Sydney Christmas 2012 will once again be stringing up twinkling lights, setting up Christmas trees, presenting concerts, and generally bringing the festive season to life and into the hearts of children within the council's boundaries in 2012. One lucky child will even win the chance to ride with Santa in his sleigh to Martin Place and light the giant Christmas tree. How's that for some Christmas magic?

Sydney gets its sparkle on from Thursday 22 November with concerts, choirs, projections, Christmas trees and decorations spreading some Christmas cheer all over town. Below is your guide to all that's happening.

Martin Place Children's Concert and Tree Lighting

Sydney Christmas has its signature event at Martin Place from 6pm on Thursday 29 November. While it's really about that giant tree there will be lots of entertainment in the lead up to the switch-throwing ceremony. The kids will love perennial Play School favourites like Jemima, Fergus, Big Ted and Little Ted, along with Lah Lah's BIG Live Band and the Sydney Childrens Choir. The event will be compered by the X Factor's Luke Jacobz and singer Paulini is the headline performer.

There will also be fireworks and kids' showbags for $2. Proceeds will go to the Australian Childrens Music Foundation, who provide free music education and instruments to disadvantaged children.

Colouring competition entry from 2011. Image from Sydney Christmas website.

Your child could become Santa's helper and tree lighter extraordinaire by entering the colouring competition, which will be judged by some of Santa's trusty elves. You can download the entry form here and then post the completed masterpieces to:

Sydney Christmas Elves
City Engagement
City of Sydney
GPO Box 1591
Sydney NSW 2001

Christmas On The Green

If all that sounds too exciting you could try Christmas on the Green in Hyde Park, also on Thursday 29 November from 6 pm to 8.30 pm. The event will be hosted by Jimmy Giggle unfortunately sans Hoot, but Jay Laga'aia, the Australian Girls Choir and Electric Lunchbox will be there, along with a sausage sizzle, kids' craft activities and yet more fireworks.

2011 Fireworks. Image from Sydney Christmas website.

Concerts

Village concerts for local communities are a hallmark of Sydney Christmas. This year's concert schedule is:
Rushcutters Bay: Saturday 1 December at Reg Bartley Oval, Waratah Street from 6.30 pm to 8.30 pm
Rosebery: Sunday 2 December at Turruwul Park, Rothschild Avenue from 6.30 pm to 8.30 pm.
Alexandria: Saturday 8 December at Alexandria Park Oval, Power Avenue from 6.30 pm to 8.30 pm.
Surry Hills: Sunday 9 December at Ward Park from 6.30 pm to 8.30 pm.

Details about hosts and entertainment can be found on the website here. Fireworks will be a feature.

Image from Sydney Christmas website.

Christmas Choirs in the Streets

Sydney's city streets will be alive with Christmas carols on Thursdays from 22 November to 20 December. The music is from 12 noon to 2pm and again from 7 pm to 9 pm on the first Thursday (22 November) and the following Thursdays will ring with song from 7 pm to 9 pm. Choirs include a capella groups Soulfood and Alchemy, as well as Tuxedo, the Cleftomaniacs and many more. There will also be roving entertainment. All the choral action will take place at Castlereagh Street, Pitt Street Mall and the Queen Victoria Building.

Projection

Every evening from Thursday 29 November to Christmas Day Sydney Town Hall will be awash with colourful, Christmasy light projections

Christmas Trees and Decorations

Sparkling, shiny Christmas decorations will adorn a number of streets and the village locations. They include Crown Street, Redfern Street, Redfern Park, Erskineville Road, Glebe Point Road and Darlinghurst Road. Christmas trees will also spring up in Hyde Park, Customs House Square, Pitt Street Mall, Sydney Square, St Mary's Cathedral Forecourt and Taylor Square.

Image from Sydney Christmas website.

Take your children along for all the magic and memories of a Sydney Christmas. You'll probably have something to smile about too.

Sydney Town Hall Christmas

Decorations and Illuminations in Sydney's CBD

The City of Sydney knows how to put on a good show, and this year's Christmas decorations are no exception. There will be tinsel and lights everywhere.

Christmas Trees and Decorations

As well as the giant Christmas tree in Martin Place, there will be smaller (but no less beautiful) trees at various key locations throughout the city including Customs House Square, St Mary's Cathedral Forecourt, Taylor Square, Hyde Park North, Kings Cross, Pitt Street Mall and Sydney Square. The CBD will be alight with thousands of twinkling LED lights, ribbons and baubles.

The city's adjoining villages haven't been forgotten either - there will be decorations on Erskineville Road, Redfern Street, Crown Street, Darlinghurst Road and Glebe Point Road. There will also be lights at Shannon Reserve in Surry Hills, Turruwul Park in Rosebery and Redfern Park. I'm starting to feel festive just thinking about it.

Sydney Town Hall Projections

Not to be left out of the festive happenings, Sydney Town Hall will host a live projection show every evening from Thursday 29 November until Christmas Day. The projections will be beamed on to the facade of this majestic old building, and cast pretty coloured shadows on it's surroundings. Definitely one for the Christmas photo album, so don't forget to pack your camera, and get snap happy.