Sydney Hotel - Intecontinental or other?

Hiya,

Have got 2 nights in Sydney at the end of my Oz trip next month, and looking for recommendations on Sydney hotels. Looking to go out with a bit of a bang, but at the same time I wonder if it's really worth going for a place with great harbour views when I could save a bit and spend it elsewhere.... have done some research and there appears to be no real 'stand out' hotels in Sydney.

I'm favouring the Intercontinental as it seems to have good views over the harbour, so any information on it would be useful. I saw the pictures and reviews of the club lounge floor, but comments on the rest of the hotel would be great.

Thanks,

David.

I stayed at the Hilton back in January and was very impressed - a revelation compared to the old Hilton.

Rooms are quite small but very contemporary and functional - the restaurant was excellent and the wine list superb.

helpful staff, great exec lounge, great deal (thru wotif) plus if you've an honours gold card you'll get a room upgrade and on top of that FC miles too.

happy times -

Andrew

[mcmbenjamin]

Base Backpackers

Periwinkle Guest House in Manley --harbor views, sister site in Syd.

rr

[fozzyo]

Hilton was a great stay! One of the best Hilton breakfasts I've had too.

The IC has some amazing views; especially from the Club Lounge at the top.

Also the Marriott Sydney Harbour has great club level rooms - I got a corner room on a high floor which had a view of the Bridge from one window and the Opera House from the other and to top it all it's just a short walk to catch the Manly Ferry !

I agree that the Sydney Hilton is pretty good, especially if you have a Gold or Diamond card and are entitled to a room upgrade. I am not sure what the views of the harbour are like though, as I had a room looking the other way. Having said that, it has recently been done up and so the rooms were all trendy and the exec lounge staff were fabulous!

Thanks for all the info! I'll look into the Hilton and Marriott I think - I like the idea of being close to the harbour area for iconic views.

Thanks,

David.

If you want a harbour view then forget the Hilton. Hilton is located a good ten to fifteen minute walk from the harbour. The IC has probably the best executive lounge in Sydney with non-obscured views of the harbour (better than the Marriott Sydney Harbour). Both IC and Marriott are less than 3 mins walk from Circular Quay. I'd prefer the IC to the Marriott.

Hilton is only good if you're wanting a more central location, it's right near all the main shopping precincts (Queen victoria Buiding, Sydney Central Plaza, George St, etc) and less than 2 mins walk from Town Hall station. I'd say the best thing about the Hilton is not the rooms - most are small and all the windows are narrow - but its fantastic gym/fitness centre and swimming pool, operated by Living Well (same company as at the Hilton LHR T4). It's probably the largest and best fitness facility of any hotel in Australia.

Other luxury hotels you could consider as well are the Park Hyatt, Shangri-La and Four Seasons, all of which are located near or in the Rocks area with views of the harbour and Opera House.

We stayed at the shangri-la last year and had a great view of the harbour bridge and the opera house.

I stayed at the IC two years ago - beautiful hotel and yes, the views are fab from the Club Lounge[^]

Intercontinental Booked "King Club Harbour Executive Suite"

Pictures look good, and had to get the Club lounge access.

Will post pictures when I'm back.

Thanks again for the advice.

David.

Originally posted by gingerflyer
I agree that the Sydney Hilton is pretty good, especially if you have a Gold or Diamond card and are entitled to a room upgrade. I am not sure what the views of the harbour are like though, as I had a room looking the other way. Having said that, it has recently been done up and so the rooms were all trendy and the exec lounge staff were fabulous!

Seconded. The sydney Hilton is wonderful and the exec lounge the best I've been in (The bangkok mil hilton being second)