I didn't have a history with Accor-branded hotels, save for a "Red Roof Inn" property in Virginia (the motels are now owned by different investors). So, this would be my first experience with Hotel Ibis or the Ibis Hotel or whatever they officially call themselves.

 

Located just under a kilometre away from the Domestic terminals of Sydney Airport, the Ibis Sydney Airport is in a place called Mascot, New South Wales. Half a kilometre north lays Mascot's railway station, whose trains can whisk you away to the city's downtown within a half-hour. You may take the hotel shuttle, which was not free the last time I checked, or you could walk like I did - easy to reach passing by the office buildings of companies associated with aviation.

 

Check-in was very smooth although I had to find out on my own through later inquiry and a little research about check-out time and when breakfast was served.

 

The room is simply contemporary in its ways with a pre-fabricated washroom that makes you feel like an inch or so higher; not from a blissful hovering but due to a heightened grade between room and "pod". If Buzz Aldren or Roberta Bondar designed a space-shuttle style bathroom on earth, this is what it would look like.

 

The first time I turned on the television in the room, my name popped up on the top right of the screen. It's a digitally personal touch that made me feel at least aesthetically happy. The television gives you the disappointing set of Australian free-to-air channels if you don't want to pay for a movie or in my surprise, an adult film preview of Mozart-style copulating, wigs and all. Chances are, you won't be watching television as this is Australia after all.

 

I was shocked to hear that breakfast was served from 5:30 am. Breakfast was included in my rate but vending machines are available on a couple of floors for those on a slight budget. I geared for disappointment as the information in the room suggested a continental offering but they have a good tasting bacon along with the usual proteins.

 

Considering its value and weighing the pros and cons of Sydney in general, the Ibis is a safe bet.