Second Stage of Refurbishment for Metro Hotel Sydney Central

Metro Hotel Sydney Central, Metro Hospitality Group’s flagship property on the corner of Pitt and Hay Streets, Sydney, will embark on the second stage of refurbishment early next year with the remaining six floors of rooms in line for a full upgrade.

Metro Hotel Sydney Central completed the first stage of its refurbishment in September with guests now enjoying a superior standard of accommodation and a 100% smoke free environment. The hotel has phased out all Standard rooms and now offers only Superior and Deluxe rooms.

With the refurbishment of four of the hotel’s 10 floors, the rooftop pool area, the restaurant terrace and guest lifts now finished and drawing excellent feedback from guests, Metro Hospitality Group is keen to ensure the remainder of the hotel’s accommodation and facilities offer the same high standard.

Metro Hotel Sydney Central General Manager Sandra Calabretta said Stage Two was scheduled to commence in late February 2013 and would involve upgrading the remaining six floors of guest rooms at the hotel.

“This is an exciting time in the history of this hotel as we are offering our guests a significantly better quality of accommodation and facilities as a result of this refurbishment,” Ms Calabretta said.

“We have received positive feedback from our guests regarding the first stage so have decided to move ahead with the next. The end result will be a hotel perfectly placed in the heart of Sydney’s entertainment precinct offering a quality accommodation option at an affordable price.”



Metro Hotel Sydney Central is situated directly opposite the Capitol Theatre and is a popular accommodation choice for people wanting to watch one of the many national and international productions staged at the Capitol and State theatres each year.

The hotel is a short walk from Chinatown, Paddy’s Market, Cockle Bay, the Queen Victoria Building and the popular King Street Wharf.

Book Hotel Accommodation early This Christmas to Avoid Disappointment - Metro Hotels

The Christmas holiday season is a popular time for people to stay overnight in Sydney to avoid driving home after festive celebrations, or to accommodate visiting relatives and friends in city accommodation - but many people leave it too late to book, a leading Australian hotel chain has warned.

George Bedwani, COO of Australian hotel chain Metro Hotels, said accommodation in Sydney is already booking fast for the Christmas and New Year period, and people planning celebrations in the city during this period should consider booking now to avoid disappointment.

“It is important to remember that if you book early you will save on hotel rates as leaving it until the last minute, occupancy will rise and premium rates will apply.

“Our experience is that the current depressed economy has not impacted bookings for this period at all and accommodation in Sydney will be heavily booked for December and January. If people already know the date of their office Christmas party or want to spend New Year’s Eve in Sydney, now is the time to book accommodation.”

Mr Bedwani said New Year’s Eve in Sydney continues to be an international highlight, with Sydney City Council ensuring each year is uniquely themed to ensure crowds continued to congregate around the harbour to enjoy the spectacular fireworks and other festivities on offer.

He said some rooms were still available for New Year’s Eve for people keen to make the most of the celebrations, or to show visitors one of the best celebrations anywhere in the world.



Metro Hotels has five hotels and apartments in Sydney CBD. All its Sydney properties are heavily booked so people seeking accommodation for the December or January period should visit the Metro Hotels website at www.metrohotels.com.au

or call the toll free Central Reservations line on 1800 004 321.

Book Hotel Accommodation early This Christmas to Avoid Disappointment - Metro Hotels

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Coming Soon to Capitol Theatre Sydney

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang finally lands on the Australian stage!

Sensational sets, stunning special effects, an irresistible story, and an unforgettable score by the Sherman Brothers (Mary Poppins, The Jungle Book), including memorable classics like “Truly Scrumptious”, “Hushabye Mountain”, and, of course, the Oscar®- nominated title song, all add up to a blockbuster musical that everyone will love. Starring David Hobson, Rachael Beck, Alan Brough, Jennifer Vuletic, Peter Carroll, George Kapiniaris and Tyler Coppin as The Child Catcher.
“Sheer Theatrical Magic” Evening Standard, UK

This multi-million dollar production remains the longest running musical ever to play at the London Palladium and was nominated for three Olivier Awards, five Tony Awards, ten Outer Critics Circle Awards and four Drama Desk Awards. Chitty Chitty Bang Bang holds the Guinness World Record for the most expensive stage prop in the history of British theatre!


Chitty Chitty Bang Bang will fly into the Capitol Theatre for 10 weeks only from November 16 2012.

Read More and Buy Tickets

Paul Kelly - Conversations with Ghosts

Australian singer/songwriter Paul Kelly joins forces with ten performers from the Australian National Academy of Music (ANAM) and the incomparable recorder virtuoso Genevieve Lacey to present the world premiere of an original song cycle, based on the poetry of W.B. Yeats, Lord Alfred Tennyson, Kenneth Slessor, Judith Wright and Les Murray, as well as several new lyrics of his own.

Created by Kelly in collaboration with ANAM’s 2011 resident composer, James Ledger, Conversations With Ghosts is a bittersweet reflection on the nature of mortality and an uplifting memorial to those who have been lost. Presented by One Louder & Artist Voice in association with the Australian National Academy of Music. From Slessor’s incantatory ‘Five Bells’ and Yeats’s ‘Sailing to Byzantium’ to Murray’s ‘Once in a Lifetime Snow’, Conversations With Ghosts pays homage to some of the English language’s greatest wordsmiths, offering a unique and unforgettable evening of music and lyricism.

Composer, Voice & Guitar Paul Kelly
Recorders Genevieve Lacey
Ensemble ANAM Musicians
Composer & Electronics James Ledger

Wednesday 10 October at 8pm

Metro Hotel Sydney Central Completes Major Refurbishment - Metro Hotels

Metro Hotel Sydney Central, the Group’s flagship property in Pitt Street, Sydney, has just completed a major refurbishment designed to provide guests with a superior standard of rooms and facilities.

The refurbishment of four floors of rooms is now complete, and from this month, Metro Hotel Sydney Central will only offer Superior and Deluxe rooms, with standard rooms completely phased out.  The entire hotel is now 100% smoke free.

“The rationalisation of room categories will make it much easier for our clients to make a booking and get the quality of room they are looking for,” Ms Calabretta said. “Prior to the refurbishment we had too many room categories and it was a little confusing for our guests.”

The rooftop pool area and restaurant terrace are now finished, providing guests with a more welcoming and enjoyable venue in which to relax. Improvements to the area included a pool upgrade, re-tiling of the area, new and improved lighting and the addition of modern pool furniture.

The guest lifts have been upgraded, with the third and final lift to be completed by mid September.
According to Ms Calabretta, the refurbishments are already proving to be a success. “The new pool deck looks great and, not only will it be an excellent and attractive facility for our guests to use, we have received a number of enquiries from organisations who want to hire the area for an evening cocktail function by the pool.”

Metro Hotel Sydney Central is situated in the heart of Sydney’s entertainment district, directly opposite the Capitol Theatre.  The hotel is a popular accommodation choice for interstate and intra-state visitors in Sydney to watch one of the many international productions staged at both the Capitol and State theatres each year.

“The recent production of Mary Poppins brought us a lot of business, and we are expecting a similar flow-on effect when The Addams Family is staged in March 2013 and when The Lion King returns in December 2013,” Sandra said.

The hotel is just a short walk to Chinatown, Paddy’s Market, Cockle Bay, Queen Victoria Building and King Street Wharf. A car is not necessary when staying at Metro Hotel Sydney Central, because, as the name implies, the hotel is so central you can get around car-free with ease. Discounted light rail and monorail passes are available from the hotel’s reception. Central railway station is just a 500 metre walk, and the light rail and numerous bus routes provide lots of opportunities to explore wider Sydney.

“Excellent for the price, great location” - Metro Hotel Sydney Central Guest Review

I managed to get a really good deal on this hotel for only $100 AUD, which in the centre of Sydney is great. I arrived after a 23 hr flight from London very early in the morning, and the reception staff did everything they could to accommodate me into an empty room as soon as possible, for which I was incredibly grateful.

The first room I was put in was a little old and un-renovated with a view of a grey wall, but it was very quiet and easy to sleep in. The room was large, clean and comfortable, with a large clean bathroom. I was moved later in my stay to a much nicer room facing Central station, that was very modern and stylish.

The staff were so great that even when I became ill during my stay at had to be hospitalised, they moved my baggage for me into storage and stopped my payment for that night! I was extremely impressed at the high level of customer service and friendliness I experience. The genuine concern alone was appreciated and not expected in todays customer service.

Everything you need is right outside your door - major transport hub of trains and buses all over Sydney, Darling Harbour is a 15 min walk and Town Hall and the shopping district is only 12 minutes away. Chinatown is only 5 minutes away with great restaurants and the Chinese Gardens. There are little convenience stores dotted around the hotel if you need snacks or amenities, and the lobby has vending machines too for drinks or munchies in the middle of the night.

Really surprised at the negative reviews on here - these guys could not be faulted. I'm coming back to Sydney in October, and will be staying here again. People, for $100 AUD a night to stay in the centre of town within walking distance of everything, with nice clean large rooms - this was a gift.

BESydney expands the 2012 ABEE Hosted Buyer Program

Australia’s leading convention bureau, Business Events Sydney (BESydney), in conjunction with the Australian Business Event Expo (ABEE) and airline partner Qantas, has expanded the ABEE Hosted Buyer Program to include both Hosted and Semi-hosted Buyer Programs that will run from 14–16 August 2012.

Last year’s Hosted Buyer Program catered for a qualified number of fully hosted buyers. This year, expanding the program to two streams will introduce more local buyers to the show floor and enhance the quality and quantity of appointments for exhibitors.

“The expansion of the ABEE Hosted Buyer Program is a strategic decision to ensure ABEE’s show floor continues to be a dynamic platform for supplier and client connection, networking and business,” comments Lyn Lewis-Smith, CEO of BESydney.

“The two distinct programs ensure that both the hosted and semi-hosted buyer experience is productive, as well as educational, and really delivers on the modern day buyer’s needs. We’ve acted on feedback provided by previous participants and have made supplier appointments, key site inspections and networking the priorities in both programs.”

Jodie Richmond, CEO of Exhibition and Trade Fairs (the owner of ABEE) adds, “It is fantastic to work alongside Business Events Sydney and airline partner Qantas to grow the already successful ABEE Hosted Buyer Program. Our combined understanding of the business event market, paired with a savvy, concise format, will see the Program deliver enhanced results to both our Buyers and our Exhibitors this year.

Hosted buyers will receive complimentary Qantas return travel to Sydney and 2 nights' accommodation in a leading Sydney hotel. This program includes participation in the educational program that is punctuated with fantastic speaking talent, scheduled appointments, the Destination Site Inspection Tour, gala events and all ground logistics.

Semi-hosted buyers will have the opportunity to schedule appointments with suppliers, listen to selected speakers on the educational program and enjoy the ABEE Hosted Buyer Dinner. They will also have the option of participating in a full-day Destination Site Inspection Tour.

The Australian Business Events Expo runs from 15–16 August 2012 at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre and is the ultimate marketplace for business events in Australia.