I booked 2 rooms last minute direct. We received an apology for not being neighbours but it wasn't needed anyway as we are all adults.

Arrival and check in were very smooth.

Our room, stank of smoke, whilst the room i had booked for my mother was fine. Having stayed numerous times in the past I was bit surprised and a phone call had the solution quickly ( the smoke was not the hotels fault but someone who had flouted the rules)

We decided to have dinner in Cafe Mix Booking was a bit confusing as the lift and room docs said open of 10am till 10pm but in reality they closed in the afternoon until 6. As we needed to be out by 7 I was concerned but the preordering was excellent.

The computers were down at checkout and like most places now a 1.5% surcharge for cc applies They said they waived this ( i was intending to EFTPOS) and it wasn't on the documentation sent later in the day.

Stay again, yep. However I did realise how older travellers might struggle with the location if they are unfit.

We stayed here for a night after the wedding, and the first thing we noticed (at 12 midnight) was the large number of people at reception. We had to wait 15 min to check in (standing there in my wedding gown). The rooms were fab, but the next morning we had the same issue checking.out - a queue of people at reception unlike anything I have ever experienced in any other hotel - much.less at a 5 star hotel! Breakfast was very overpriced and not really that nice and service was so-so. For the price you pay, it's definitely not worth it. You may as well find a 3-star hotel and pay half the price.

We booked a room with Opera view at a discounted rate without breakfast. It was still very expensive, but the room was quite big, with comfy bathroom if maybe a little bit worn.

The location is great, we could walk to everything we wanted to do: Ferry ride to Manly, Bridge Climb, Opera House visit, close to all restaurants and bars in the Harbour Area. We had breakfast in some of the little cafés in the area which are just a short walk from the hotel. Fine with us.

Front desk staff was friendly and we had valet parking for our car, again very expensive, but the staff was helpful and quick.

I would definitely book it again as the location is just fab.

This hotel has a super 36th floor bar and degustation dining with impeccable view, but the front desk is a joke. I had a brand new Smartphone stolen, and no assistance from either the desk or hotel security to support a search. The costs are the highest I have ever experienced for a sub-4 star hotel, and my opinion of this accommodation has influenced my decision to never visit Australia again.