The Residences, Centennial Park – Luxury Family Accommodation in a Sydney Icon

Feast your eyes on these lovely photos of some unique accommodation in the heart of one of Sydney’s best known parks.

These are two newly renovated, heritage, self-contained cottages within the grounds of  Centennial Parklands. The one above is the Superintendents Residence, a huge 4-bedroom cottage right beside the Paddington Gates at the Junction of Oxford Street, Parkes Drive and Carrington Drive.

Both Residences were built in 1890 from sandstone quarried on site. They were lived in for a century and then fell to rack and ruin, being unoccupied the past 30 years.

Restoring them has been a huge job, as has been filling them up with antique furniture, juxtaposed with luxurious modern bathrooms and kitchens.

I had a tour of this latest addition to Sydney’s unique self-contained accommodation options with manager James Ruben recently and was smitten. I do love beautifully restored Victorian buildings, those high, high ceilings and gorgeous solid wooden doors. Luxurious touches abound too, and I loved that each Residence has a self-contained garden. 
I’m not sure I’d be able to trust my children not to jump all over the antique furniture and rub peanut butter into the curtains!

Above is the Rangers Residence, which is on the west side of Centennial Parklands, near the Robertson Road Gates. There are 3 bedrooms in this cottage, and its decor is similar to the Superintendents Residence.

The Residences, Centennial Parklands would suit families visiting Sydney who have a good budget and an urge to stay somewhere very, very special, very, very central and right by some great playgrounds and cafes. The Residences are definitely five star accommodation, they have full size kitchens so you can self-cater. But there’s also the option to have chefs prepare meals for you.

For Sydneysiders, the Residences make an excellent place to spend a special anniversary or party. You could throw a fantastic garden party in either one, for up to 200 people. The Residences are already proving popular as venues for weddings, with the bride’s party staying in one and groom’s party staying in the other.  With prices around $2000 – $3000 per night, the residences aren’t cheap, but they are fab venues for extra special occasions and you can always try to negotiate for a stay of a week or more.

For more information, or just to have a look at more photos, check out the website here.

For all the information about the many delights of Centennial Parklands, check out the website here.

My post on Centennial Park Cafe is here.

Centennial Park Bike Tracks and Playground is here.

I did enjoy my tour around these gorgeous heritage buildings. If I ever decide to make an honest man of the International Man of Mystery, I’d certainly think about these as a wedding venue. So close to a fab playground too!

What’s your favourite spot in Centennial Parklands?

And where’s the poshest place you’ve ever stayed?

(Mine’s a toss up between Wolgan Valley and The Jumeirah Beach Hotel.)

Happy photo viewing – not my photos by the way, supplied by the Residences for your delectation.

Cheers