Searching for “Clare Hotel” will surface two very different stays: the Clare Hotel in Clare, South Australia—a country pub rated 3.6 stars on TripAdvisor—and The Old Clare Hotel in Chippendale, Sydney, a heritage boutique property that holds an 8.4/10 guest score on Booking.com. This guide compares both hotels across menus, photos, facilities, and reviews so you can decide which one fits your travel plans.
Last checked: 2026-09-26
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Clare Hotel (SA): Country hotel in Clare, South Australia offering meals, accommodation, pokies, TAB & SA Lotteries · The Old Clare Hotel: Boutique hotel in Chippendale, Sydney featuring heritage architecture and contemporary suites · TripAdvisor Rating (Clare Hotel): 3.6/5 stars · Unique Feature: Part of Ode Hotels anthology and Independent Collection
Two Clare Hotels at a Glance
- Country hotel in Clare, South Australia offering meals, accommodation, pokies, TAB & SA Lotteries (Clare Hotel Official Site)
- Boutique hotel in Chippendale, Sydney featuring heritage architecture and contemporary suites (Hotels.com)
- 3.6/5 stars based on traveler reviews (TripAdvisor)
- Part of Ode Hotels anthology and Independent Collection (Hotels.com)
How we researched this
Last checked: 2026-09-26.
Sources reviewed: official property website, Booking.com listing, TripAdvisor reviews, Hotels.com listing, Michelin Guide, Gourmet Traveller, Point Hacks, Time Out Sydney, World’s 50 Best.
We did not conduct an on-site visit, interview staff, or independently verify current prices and availability.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Attribute | Clare Hotel (SA) | The Old Clare Hotel (Sydney) |
|---|---|---|
| Address | Clare, South Australia | 1 Kensington Street, Chippendale, NSW 2008 |
| Type | Country pub with accommodation | Heritage boutique hotel |
| Guest rating | 3.6/5 on TripAdvisor | 8.4/10 on Booking.com |
| Room count | Not publicly stated | 69 rooms (current listing); earlier sources cite 62 |
| Check-in / Check-out | Not listed | 14:00 / 11:00 (per Michelin Guide) |
| Signature facilities | Meals, accommodation, pokies, TAB & SA Lotteries | Rooftop pool, gym, restaurants, bars, library |
| Unique selling point | Friendly country pub service and quality food | Adaptive reuse of two heritage buildings in Chippendale |
Clare Hotel Menu
For travellers heading to South Australia, the Clare Hotel’s menu is a draw. The hotel’s official website (clarehotel.com.au) lists classic pub meals, and TripAdvisor reviewers repeatedly mention the quality and generosity of the food. One consistent thread in reviews is that the kitchen delivers reliable, hearty dishes—something that explains the hotel’s #13 ranking among 24 restaurants in Clare.
While we could not access the full PDF menu from the site’s current version, the hotel’s social media posts and review photos show a rotation of burgers, steaks, parmigiana, and daily specials. If you’re planning a visit, it is worth asking about the day’s specials when you call—most reviews suggest that is where the kitchen excels.
What this means: The Clare Hotel’s menu is straightforward pub fare, executed consistently well according to traveller feedback. It will not win culinary awards, but it delivers exactly what a country pub should.
The Old Clare Hotel
Situated at 1 Kensington Street, Chippendale, The Old Clare Hotel is a converted pair of heritage buildings—the former Clare Bar hotel and the Carlton & United Breweries administration block. It opened in its current boutique form in 2016 after a redevelopment led by owner Loh Lik Peng and architecture firm TZG, according to The World’s 50 Best.
The hotel currently lists 69 rooms, though earlier reviews from Gourmet Traveller cite 62 rooms and suites—a discrepancy that may reflect later refurbishments or inventory changes. Rooms are individually styled, mixing heritage features (exposed brick, original windows) with contemporary luxury touches: freestanding baths, super-king beds, Bose sound systems, smart TVs, coffee machines, and blackout curtains. The Chippendale Loft category adds a split-level layout with a lounge downstairs and bedroom upstairs.
Guest feedback on Booking.com gives the property an 8.4/10 across 807 reviews, with location scoring 9.2/10, staff 8.8/10, facilities 8.6/10, cleanliness 8.4/10, and value 7.9/10. Michelin Guide lists check-in at 14:00, check-out at 11:00, and notes that credit-card payments incur a 1.5% surcharge.
Why this matters: The Old Clare delivers a design-forward stay with strong location scores, but travellers seeking a standardised chain experience may find the quirks of heritage adaptive reuse a trade-off. The 1.5% card surcharge and varied room counts are practical details to confirm before booking.
Clare Hotel Photos
For a visual preview, The Old Clare Hotel maintains an Instagram presence at @theoldclare, where the property posts images of its rooftop pool, industrial-chic interiors, and heritage facades. The feed is an accurate reflection of the current design—glossy but grounded in the building’s history.
The Clare Hotel in South Australia does not have a dedicated Instagram account listed, but its official website includes a photo gallery showing the dining room, accommodation, and the Middle Pub. TripAdvisor also hosts traveller-submitted photos that capture the everyday atmosphere—crowded lunch services, local regulars, and the occasional specials board.
The bottom line: Both properties publish enough imagery online to set expectations. For The Old Clare, the rooftop and loft rooms are the visual highlights; for the Clare Hotel SA, the pub’s social dining scene is what you will see most often.
Clare Hotel SA
The Clare Hotel in Clare, South Australia is a classic country pub offering meals, accommodation, pokies, TAB and SA Lotteries. Its listing on the official site (clarehotel.com.au) confirms these facilities, and traveller reviews describe friendly service and consistently good food.
On TripAdvisor, the hotel currently holds a 3.6/5 star rating and ranks #13 out of 24 restaurants in Clare. That puts it in the middle of the pack, but reviews suggest the value is reliable—especially for a meal after a day in the Clare Valley wine region. The accommodation is basic but clean, and the on-site entertainment (pokies and TAB) is a draw for some visitors.
The trade-off: The Clare Hotel SA offers an authentic country pub experience with practical amenities, but its mid-range rating and modest decor may not appeal to travellers seeking a premium stay. It is a solid choice if you are already in the region and want convenience and hospitality.
Inside the Clare Hotel’s Middle Pub
One feature unique to the Clare Hotel SA is its “Middle Pub” — a bar area within the hotel that serves as a casual meeting spot for locals and visitors alike. The Middle Pub typically operates alongside the main dining room, offering a more relaxed setting for drinks and counter meals.
Based on the hotel’s website and traveller mentions, the Middle Pub is known for its friendly atmosphere and is a popular spot for weekend sport screenings. It is not a separate venue with its own kitchen; rather, it is part of the hotel’s hospitality offering, making the property feel both welcoming and functional.
What to watch: The Middle Pub is a subtle but notable differentiator for the Clare Hotel SA. If you are after a genuine pub environment with a separate bar area, this is where you will find it—just do not expect a dedicated craft-beer menu.
Clare Hotel vs The Old Clare: A Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Clare Hotel (SA) | The Old Clare Hotel (Sydney) |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Clare, South Australia | Chippendale, Sydney, near Central Station and Spice Alley |
| Type | Country pub with accommodation | Heritage boutique hotel |
| TripAdvisor Rating | 3.6/5 stars (#13 of 24 restaurants) | 8.4/10 on Booking.com (TripAdvisor not cited) |
| Accommodation | Basic, no publicised room categories | 69 individually styled rooms and suites, including Chippendale Loft |
| Entertainment | Pokies, TAB, SA Lotteries, live sport in Middle Pub | Rooftop pool, gym, library, on-site restaurants and bars |
| Unique Selling Point | Friendly service and quality pub meals | Adaptive reuse of two heritage buildings with modern luxury |
As the table shows, these are fundamentally different propositions. The Clare Hotel SA is a functional country pub that happens to offer beds; The Old Clare is a design-led boutique hotel that celebrates its industrial past. Your choice depends entirely on your destination and what you value in a stay.
The pattern: The Old Clare targets travellers who want an immersive architectural experience near the city centre, while the Clare Hotel SA serves as a practical base for exploring the Clare Valley with straightforward hospitality.
Pros and Cons
Clare Hotel (SA)
- Pros: Friendly service, reliable pub meals, on-site entertainment (pokies, TAB, lotteries), affordable accommodation, central to Clare’s main strip.
- Cons: Modest decor, mid-range TripAdvisor rating (3.6/5), limited facilities beyond the pub, no gym or pool.
The Old Clare Hotel (Sydney)
- Pros: Heritage architecture, individually designed rooms, rooftop pool, proximity to Central Station and Spice Alley, high guest scores (8.4/10).
- Cons: Potential for inconsistency (room count discrepancy), credit-card surcharge of 1.5%, not ideal for travellers wanting a standardised chain hotel, can be pricey relative to budget options.
Our Recommendation
If you are travelling to South Australia’s Clare Valley, the Clare Hotel is a dependable, friendly choice—particularly for a group that wants meals, a drink, and a simple bed without fuss. If your itinerary is Sydney-bound, The Old Clare Hotel is the standout for its heritage conversion, rooftop pool, and high traveller ratings. We would direct visitors to Chippendale to the Old Clare for its architectural immersion and location; for the Clare region, the Clare Hotel SA delivers the charm you would expect from a country pub.
Map placeholder: The two hotels are located in different Australian states—Clare, SA (approx. -33.833, 138.610) and Chippendale, Sydney (-33.887, 151.200). An interactive map would show both pins.
tripadvisor.com, au.hotels.com, tripadvisor.com, guide.michelin.com
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is The Old Clare Hotel located?
The Old Clare Hotel is at 1 Kensington Street, Chippendale, Sydney, New South Wales 2008, Australia (Hotels.com).
What is the phone number of The Old Clare Hotel?
The hotel’s phone number is +61 2 8277 8277, as listed on multiple booking platforms.
What is the TripAdvisor rating of the Clare Hotel in SA?
The Clare Hotel in South Australia holds a 3.6/5 rating on TripAdvisor, based on traveller reviews.
How does the Clare Hotel rank among restaurants in Clare?
The Clare Hotel is ranked #13 of 24 restaurants in Clare on TripAdvisor.
What facilities does the Clare Hotel SA offer?
The Clare Hotel SA offers meals, accommodation, pokies, TAB and SA Lotteries, along with a Middle Pub bar area.
Is The Old Clare Hotel part of a hotel collection?
Yes, The Old Clare Hotel is part of the Ode Hotels anthology and the Independent Collection, according to its Hotels.com listing.
Sources Cited
- Clare Hotel Official Website
- Hotels.com – The Old Clare Hotel
- TripAdvisor – Clare Hotel (SA) listings
- Booking.com – The Old Clare Hotel Reviews
- Michelin Guide – The Old Clare Hotel
- Gourmet Traveller – The Old Clare Review
- The World’s 50 Best – The Old Clare
- Point Hacks – The Old Clare Review
- Time Out Sydney – Best Hotels
- Trivago – The Old Clare Hotel
- A to Za’atar – The Old Clare History
“Staking a stylish claim to Sydney’s Chippendale district, this Deco darling straddles two historic buildings.”
The World’s 50 Best
“Rooms are light-filled and luxe, marrying heritage features with freestanding baths and super-king beds.”
The bottom line: “Rooms are light-filled and luxe, marrying heritage features with freestanding baths and super-king beds.”Gourmet Traveller