Want the Harry Potter experience without the study? New accommodation website is listing College rooms during the student holidays.
The University Colleges around Australia have spare rooms from November to February as well as during the June July break when the students are on holidays. These rooms have previously only been available to conference groups and a few people in the know.
A new website www.universitystays.com.au is now listing College rooms which are available for bed and breakfast at a reasonable price. One of the first Colleges to list their rooms is located on campus at the University of Sydney.
Many of the Colleges were built a century ago and have heritage listing. The dining rooms often have sandstone or timber panelled walls and traditional bedrooms have beautiful leadlight windows. Bathrooms have been renovated to a high standard.
Set in tranquil surrounds the Colleges seem a world away yet, as in the case of the Sydney University Colleges, are within walking distance of the Sydney CBD. Breakfast is served in the dining room and guests have access to common rooms, cloistered quadrangles and gardens as well as the University grounds. Most Colleges also have a tennis court and other sporting facilities.
Anyone on a budget, and particularly single travellers who don’t want to share a room with strangers, will find college rooms an inspired choice. For example the price at Sancta Sophia College for a single room with share bathroom is $70 per night. Twin and double rooms are $115, ensuite singles $90 and ensuite doubles $130 per night. A buffet continental breakfast is included in the price. A ten percent discount applies for stays of seven nights or more.
University Stays plans to list Colleges around Australia on its website www.universitystays.com.au.
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About University Stays
University Stays was founded to help colleges make use of their accommodation by letting vacant rooms during the student holidays. The website makes online bookings for college rooms a reality. Revenue raised by the colleges will help with the ongoing costs of maintaining historic buildings and will also help subsidize student accommodation.