Summary:
True 5 star service and facilities. Great location. Nice rooms. Wonderful views. Expensive.

Arriving at InterContinental Sydney:
We arrived at around 4pm. The hotel is only a block away from Circular Quay. If travelling light, a train trip from Sydney airport to Circular Quay station plus a short walk to the hotel is a viable and traffic free option. Check-in was effortless and we were very warmly welcomed. My Ambassador status was recognised and we received the 1 category room upgrade and were immediately offered a late check-out (to 4pm). All very nicely done.

Rooms:
Rooms are smallish but well planned and well equipped. Attention to detail is excellent. Bathrooms are small but bright and spotlessly clean. The shower is over the bath tub so a shower curtain is needed. Perhaps a change to a shower stall only might free up some bathroom space? Toiletries are still Elemis but might change to Agraria in 2013. The TV actually displays digital TV channels in digital quality! There is an evening turn down service.

Room Service:
Room service can be an excellent experience at InterContinental Sydney. Larger orders (eg 2 x mains or more) are delivered on a mobile table, complete with tablecloth, napkins and a warming box. This means you get a restaurant like experience in your own private space, complete with spectacular views from your room.

Club Lounge:
We booked Club rooms. The Club Lounge on the top floor (32nd) has fantastic panoramic views of Sydney. It even has an outdoor deck area. The Club Lounge staff are fantastic. The Club Lounge offers all day refreshments as well as breakfast and twilight drinks. The only criticism I could have of the Club Lounge is that the tables are essentially small coffee/drinks tables and it can be difficult to dine off them comfortably. But this is more than made up for by the views and the staff.

Club Lounge - Twilight Drinks:
For 2 hours from 5pm there are twilight drinks and self serve canapés in the Club Lounge. I asked if I could invite a Sydney-sider relative to the twilight drinks one night. It turned out to be possible for $45.00, but I was told it might not always be possible on busy nights.

Club Lounge - Breakfast:
The Club breakfast is quite extensive and includes several hot dishes and some items that can be made to order.

Service, General:
Staff at InterContinental Sydney were always friendly, professional and helpful. This is a "yes, we can" hotel with positive and enthusiastic attitudes.

Other:
The hotel is in a very good location. Circular Quay, The Opera House, The Royal Botanic Gardens and The Rocks are all just a short walk away.

Leaving InterContinental Sydney:
Check-out was quick and simple. There is a 1.5% surcharge if paying by credit card.

Good - Nice sized rooms, good views, very good concierge willing to help, fantastic location - right next to circular quay, george street, opera house and close enough to darling harbour and a well connected bus stop. good breakfast
Bad - Nothing except one evening i got cut my some glass that was in the carpet in our room - clearly something had been broken and housekeeping had not been careful in cleaning it up. I informed the hotel and they took care of it immediately and the manager (Billy) called up to apologize and sent a plate of chocolate covered strawberries to my room.

December 10, 2012 - Just returned from Sydney...spent 6 nights at this great property. Super location (across the street from the Park - two blocks from the harbour). Awesome staff - especially, Zafar Raza, Concierge who is of the old school - knows his stuff and can get you into restaurants to die for (such as Cafe Sydney). He truly was the frosting on the cake!! Rooms are spacious with great views (we were upgraded to a king, harbour view). We left the city twice during our visit - but, always came back to this property - staying in three different rooms...all wonderful! Do try to experience the Club Lounge with views to die for. Did a lot of ground work before booking and, once there, truly felt we picked the right place.

Stayed in Sydney many, many times but first time happened to stay at Intercontinental. And the first time I have had a room with a harbour view! (well, part of it).

Location: perfect for visitors as is a short stroll to Circular Quay (where Opera House is, views of Harbour Bridge, access to Ferries etc). Also great for business, right in the heart of CBD.

Rooms: very good. Clean and uncluttered. Bed was very comfortable. Climate control settings worked and no noise.

Fitness Centre: quite big. A lot of weight equipment and some heavy lifting free weights for those who need them. Plenty of cardio machines.

Breakfast / Dining: didn't eat at hotel however I liked the atrium area for a quick coffee, phone calls and business meetings.

Overall, thumbs up.