V-Flyer

So with a lack of a MO in Sydney, are there any recommendations of a good 5* hotel with decent suites?

Been having a nice evening reading the few VS200 TRs that there are.

Thanks
Hamster

The Intercontinental.

Many have recommended the Shangri-La but I hated it!!

I'm told the Observatory is excellent - I'm booked for March

I really enjoyed the Hilton last time I was there (4years ago). Great room, good lounge and an excellent restaurant/wine list.

A

honey lamb wrote:Many have recommended the Shangri-La but I hated it!!

Knowing where to avoid is good too ) .
What about it didn't you like HL?

The Observatory or Blue Sydney are both excellent but the refurbished Harbour Marriott might be worth a look.

Hamster wrote:

honey lamb wrote:Many have recommended the Shangri-La but I hated it!!

Knowing where to avoid is good too ) .
What about it didn't you like HL?

We had booked a car through the hotel but were held up in customs and the car didn't wait. We had to find change to call the hotel. When we got there, the only response was "Oh dear!"

The staff were not very friendly

I thought the service was poor. In the restaurant I had to look for someone to come and serve us on every occasion to the extent that even though breakfast was included in our rate we ended up going to Circular Quay for brekkie

I had looked the pool and my initial impression was that it was dirty. Aer John, who at 16 wasn't bothered by such niceties, went down and was back within minutes complaining about it.

The best thing about it was the laundry (which was free as part of the package I had booked) but Highflyer has some items destroyed on her visit

We had been at the Shangri-La in Singapore and couldn't praise it enough but the two experiences were chalk and cheese.

On our return to Sydney from Queensland we stayed in the Sheraton and much preferred the experience there

honey lamb wrote:
We had booked a car through the hotel but were held up in customs and the car didn't wait. We had to find change to call the hotel. When we got there, the only response was "Oh dear!"

The staff were not very friendly

I thought the service was poor. In the restaurant I had to look for someone to come and serve us on every occasion to the extent that even though breakfast was included in our rate we ended up going to Circular Quay for brekkie

I had looked the pool and my initial impression was that it was dirty. Aer John, who at 16 wasn't bothered by such niceties, went down and was back within minutes complaining about it.

The best thing about it was the laundry (which was free as part of the package I had booked) but Highflyer has some items destroyed on her visit

We had been at the Shangri-La in Singapore and couldn't praise it enough but the two experiences were chalk and cheese.

:0 well that makes it one to avoid! Yes mistakes happen, but it's how you handle it that makes the difference.
Thanks for the heads up.

honey lamb wrote:

Hamster wrote:

honey lamb wrote:Many have recommended the Shangri-La but I hated it!!

Knowing where to avoid is good too ) .
What about it didn't you like HL?

We had booked a car through the hotel but were held up in customs and the car didn't wait. We had to find change to call the hotel. When we got there, the only response was "Oh dear!"

The staff were not very friendly

I thought the service was poor. In the restaurant I had to look for someone to come and serve us on every occasion to the extent that even though breakfast was included in our rate we ended up going to Circular Quay for brekkie

I had looked the pool and my initial impression was that it was dirty. Aer John, who at 16 wasn't bothered by such niceties, went down and was back within minutes complaining about it.

The best thing about it was the laundry (which was free as part of the package I had booked) but Highflyer has some items destroyed on her visit

We had been at the Shangri-La in Singapore and couldn't praise it enough but the two experiences were chalk and cheese.

On our return to Sydney from Queensland we stayed in the Sheraton and much preferred the experience there

My experince with the SL was totally the opposite and I loved it. Fantastic exec rooms (with view of the Opera House to die for) , fantastic exec lounge (with stunning bridge views) with the most fabulous concierge, sublime service all around .I can't comment on the car service as this was provided by EK .
DL

I have to agree with honey lamb on the Shangri-La.

We had one night there in August for the OH's 40th in a club room with Opera and Harbour view for the special occasion - we usually stay at the Hilton. Staff whilst not unfriendly were distant at best. The club lounge we found to be soul-less, whilst it does have a big picture window and the food is nice, it was just a glorified self service canteen.

Not a bad hotel per se - just didn't like it.

Stayed at the Hilton a few times last year leisure and work, once I was even given a junior suite as an upgrade - very nice.

Sorry can't offer any other suggestions.

Loved the Intercontinental, great service and in a quieter location.

Also liked the Four Seasons and would go there again.

honey lamb wrote:Many have recommended the Shangri-La but I hated it!!

I also hated it, my room was tired, there seemed to be hookers in the bar, and poor service ... lots of coach groups too.

When we go back to Sydney, we will go back to the Marriott at Circular Quay - fabulous location, great staff, wonderful views and an excellent exec lounge.

Nick

I can definitley recommend the Quay West Suites.

Really nice, very spacious appartment-style accommodation, friendly staff and an outstanding view of the bridge and opera house.

http://www.mirvachotels.com/quay-west-suites-sydney

clarkeysntfc wrote:I can definitley recommend the Quay West Suites.

y)
I stayed at Quay Grand Suites (their other one) at Circular Quay in 2008, great location, very helpful staff (checked me in at 8 am). Was very reasonably priced at the time. Would go back at the drop of a hat!

Hamster wrote: :0 well that makes it one to avoid! Yes mistakes happen, but it's how you handle it that makes the difference.
Thanks for the heads up.

Well after looking at the website, it looks great and is a very good price...

Another vote for the Intercontinental - great position, nice rooms, great service and good price. Will be staying there again next time we go.

Just spent 4 nights at the intercontinental Sydney- and it get's my vote! The club lounge is on the top floor and has amazing views over the bridge and Opera House.

I'll be trying the Marriott at Circular Key in a couple of weeks and will update when I return. I really fancied the Intercontinental but having Marriott rewards platinum status (comped) swayed my decision to choose the Marriott.

Intercontinental
Club lounge
=
Fantastic

daywalker wrote:I'll be trying the Marriott at Circular Key in a couple of weeks and will update when I return. I really fancied the Intercontinental but having Marriott rewards platinum status (comped) swayed my decision to choose the Marriott.

Right then.
This place was OK and that's about it. The newly refurbished rooms are very minimalist to say the least. They have barely touched the bathrooms though and the lobby still looks old fashioned.
The exec lounge is again just OK but the staff are great. Good location too.
The lifts are possibly some of the slowest I've eve been in.
The gym is a nightmare as they have no air con.

When I go back to Sydney I won't be staying here again though.

(The Hilton South Wharf in Melbourne was absolutely fantastic though).