Had a lovely stay in Hornsby, room was very clean and host was very welcoming, even driving me (and all my things!) to the station on check out because it was a hot day. It is a big house and there may be other guests that you share kitchen/bathrooms with, but I quite enjoyed meeting other guests, many of whom were travelling from around the world. Hornsby station is 10-15 min walk with good train services to the city and Westfield shopping mall adjacent to the station; and Asquith station is 10 min walk, fewer trains and a Coles next door for groceries.