$$
Intercontinental Sydney By IHG
A luxury hotel near Circular Quay and the Opera House with top-floor harbour views and club lounge perks.
Exceptional · Deep coverage · read from 24 sources · 227 traveler insights
86
RoomExpert Score
Exceptional
The verdict
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Situated between Circular Quay, the Opera House, and the Botanical Gardens, the InterContinental Sydney provides full-service upscale lodging anchored by harbour views. The property excels with its comfortable king beds, electronic blackout blinds, and club lounge dining options. However, guests frequently complain about erratic housekeeping schedules, missed turndown service, and high add-on costs for items like the minibar. 1071215
Every line below traces back to something a traveler actually wrote — open a line to read the original sentence and follow it to the source.
What travelers noticed
- Guests consistently praise the views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge, particularly from the upper levels and the rooftop lounge. 11018
- The location between Circular Quay and the Botanical Gardens makes walking to central Sydney attractions straightforward. 71210
- Sleep quality earns reliable praise thanks to king-sized beds, breathable linens, feather-down pillows, and bedside controls for electronic blackout blinds. 956
- Club lounge refreshments, covering afternoon tea and evening snacks, receive steady commendation. 6
The catch
- While some guests describe the rooms as quiet retreats, others report audible disturbance from nearby pubs at night and daytime construction. 5
- Service experiences vary widely between seamless check-in at reception and erratic maid service with missed evening turndowns. 2218
- Bathrooms draw praise from some for modern finishes and lighting, but others find them compact and note the absence of a separate bath and shower. 2211
Who it's for
- — Harbour and Opera House sightseers
- — Club lounge travellers
- — Visitors wanting proximity to Circular Quay
Skip it if
- — Light sleepers sensitive to street noise and nearby pubs
- — Guests who require flawless daily housekeeping schedules
- — Travellers trying to avoid steep extra fees for snacks and ice
Seen on camera
5 moments · 1 video · Intercontinental Sydney By IHG
Each moment is pulled at the second a cited reviewer said the words. Play it here, or open the original video at that timestamp.
“Come into the main room and I got to tell you, this has got to be one of the best views in Sydney. Uninterrupted looking…”
youtube.com0:31“So, yeah, just had a refurb. Not exactly sure how much they spent on the rebur, but it looks a million dollars compared…”
youtube.com0:40“Now, you have to probably agree with me here that this has to be one of the best hotel bathrooms in Sydney. The finishin…”
youtube.com0:58“Jennifer Aniston, Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, the Boss Hunting Boys, and they've all enjoyed this little alfresco space…”
youtube.com1:11“Entree was sublime. I had about 50 prawns as you can see. Seven scolops. I am pretty full.”
youtube.com2:11Frames are citations: each one links to its second in the source video, attributed to the creator who filmed it. Nothing here is supplied by the hotel. Creators who want a moment removed can ask and we take it down.
Ways to book
Direct with the hotelRoomExpert pick
$252est. per night
IHG One Rewards member rate · King Guest Room
Keep: IHG One Rewards points · elite nights · eligible benefits
Expedia
$244est. per night
Public rate · King Guest Room
Forfeit: IHG One Rewards points · elite nights · eligible benefits
IHG One Rewards benefits may not apply.
Award stay: about 38,000 IHG One Rewards points a night. Availability not checked.
RoomExpert read
Paying $8 more direct is likely worthwhile if you value IHG One Rewards points, status credit, or on-property benefits.
Prices shown are an estimated range, not a live quote — the booking site confirms the real rate for your dates.
RoomExpert rate estimate
$252est. per night
Estimated range: $233–$339
Around our estimate
This sits inside our estimated range for this hotel.
Confidence: low · modelled estimate, not a live quote. Check the supplier for the real rate on your dates.
Score breakdown
How the 86/100 is built, category by category — each one with the strongest thing travelers actually said, and the source it came from.
Bathroom
93read from 1 source · Deep coverage
- “Despite that the shower, over a full-sized tub, is excellent and not the usual enviro-dribble you often find in hotels.” 6
- “The king-sized signature cloud mattress is exceptionally comfortable, and the marble bathroom, complete with a giant rain shower and Byredo pump bottle toiletries, adds an extra touch of indulgence and sustainability.” 18
Food
93read from 15 sources · Solid coverage
Location
97read from 1 source · Deep coverage
Noise
86read from 3 sources · Light coverage
Room
87read from 1 source · Deep coverage
- “A Harbour-view Club room in the IC Syd must be one of my favourite-ist stays ever! Okay, it was also New Year's Eve 07/08, and the view of the fireworks from the Club at the top of the hotel was nothing short of spectacular.” 23
- “Come into the main room and I got to tell you, this has got to be one of the best views in Sydney. Uninterrupted looking east all the way out to Bondi in the Heads.” 110:31
Service
88read from 1 source · Deep coverage
Bed & Sleep
91read from 1 source · Deep coverage
- “After some scrambling I find the bedside switch that electronically opens them and sit on my thousand count, oh so delicious king size bed with my four pillow companions and watch the show hundreds of metres below me unfold.” 14
- “Bed: King size and comfy. I sink down slightly as I stretch out and I feel like I am being cushioned and cossetted by the ample feather-down pillows.” 6
Value
79read from 1 source · Deep coverage
- “The Club InterContinental Lounge looks very nice and the views of the harbor that the lounge affords are simply spectacular - If I was to return (and if pricing wasn't too bad) I'd book a room that gives access to the lounge just so I could enjoy the views.” 12
- “Major-Dragonfruit371 • 2y ago • Edited 2y ago We stayed in a lounge-access high floor suite at the Intercontinental. We stayed in a lounge-access high floor suite at the Intercontinental. It was the most we've ever spent on a hotel stay and it was money well spent.” 10
Where it is, how to reach it
16 Phillip Street
New South Wales
2000 South Pacific
Details checked 2026-08-26
Stay value
How this property reads against the hotels we cover alongside it. Measured on review evidence, not on a nightly rate.
Right in line
On par with what $$ usually buys
Scores 3 points below the mid-range median of 89, across 494 hotels in the same bracket. In Sydney it sits 1 point below the local median of 87.
Price bracket
$$
Mid-range
- This hotel
- 86
- Bracket median
- 89
- Index median
- 90
Based on 494 comparable hotels.
Which room to ask for
What reviewers say about where to sleep inside this building — by room number where one is named, and otherwise by floor, wing, aspect and position. Every line opens onto the quotes behind it.
Ask for
- 8 mentions
- 3 mentions
- 1 mention
- 1 mention
- 1 mention
- 1 mention
Avoid
No location within the hotel draws repeated complaints yet.
Where travelers agree — and don’t
The topics reviewers split on most. A wide bar means your experience depends on which room you get — or whose opinion you trust.
Noise
73
Value
72
Service
71
Room
61
Bathroom
59
Food
57
Location
25
Bed & Sleep
5
View the 156 things travelers said behind this verdict▾
Quotes run exactly as travelers wrote them — spelling and all. We trim for length, never for tidiness.
Location31 mentions
- “With its prime location offering dazzling views of the Sydney Opera House, Harbour Bridge, and Royal Botanic Garden, the 509-room InterContinental Sydney, housed in the beautifully restored Treasury Building of 1851, seamlessly combines the timeless charm of its heritage with the sophistication of a modern design classic.” 18
- “The main attraction of this hotel is its fantastic location.” 5
- “Great choice!! We stayed there at the Four Seasons earlier last year before commencing our cruise to New Zealand as detailed below. Wonderful, handy location.” 15
- “Location meets luxury with subtle sophistication and rooms with stellar views.” 16
- “The views from the rooms are spectacular(providing you get a full or partial harbour view room) also very close to Circular Quay 2 - 3 minute walk. We have stayed at the four Seasons several times pre-cruise. We love it. Wonderful comfy beds, a view of the harbour and great staff.” 15
- “On the other hand the ic is a much more convenient location.” 1
- “This is a five-star Sydney stay with all the bells and whistles in a dress circle location that had us in the heart of the action for our stay during Vivid Sydney.” 9
- “However, there is no doubt if arriving by car the lobby area is very small and congested. It is certainly convenient to most parts of the CBD, and obviously very close to Circular Quay, the Opera House etc.” 22
- “Where: 117 Macquarie Street, Sydney. A two-minute walk to Circular Quay, an easy five minute walk to the Opera House, and a 15-minute walk to the Pitt Street Mall and main shopping district.” 6
- “For location, either of the other two are good options - both are close to Circular Quay and transport links - the Shangri-La being more ideally situated for the 'hustle and bustle' of The Rocks and Harbour Bridge; the Intercontinental being great for its proximity to the Botanical Gardens and Opera House.” 10
- “The location is great for getting to the ferries (about two blocks), the Opera House or the park.” 22
- “The location is absolutely perfect for Circular Quay and The Rocks.” 13
- “The heritage aspect, location, views, and overall vibe would definitely exceed all expectations for anyone travelling from overseas.” 18
- “Situated between Circular Quay, the Opera House and the Botanical Gardens, the Intercontinental Sydney couldn't be in a better location.” 7
- “Had a great veiw of the Opera House and Harbour. It was in a very convenient location within walking distance of the Rocks area, Opera House and other tourist sites etc.” 22
- “InterContinental Sydney is ideally located, just a stone's throw from many sights and museums, including the Royal Botanic Garden, Museum of Sydney, Museum of Contemporary Art and Art Gallery of NSW.” 19
- “Comments Section ParticleHustler2 • 3y ago We stayed at the Intercontinental in Sydney a little more than a couple weeks ago and enjoyed it. We stayed at the Intercontinental in Sydney a little more than a couple weeks ago and enjoyed it. Easy walk to the Opera House, royal gardens and pier.” 4
- “IC better located for Sydney Harbour tourist attractions, as pointed out above it's right at Circular Quay.” 23
- “What I most appreciated were the convenient location and efficient customer service.” 5
- “I have stayed at both hotels and would recommend the Four Seasons. The views from the rooms are spectacular(providing you get a full or partial harbour view room) also very close to Circular Quay 2 - 3 minute walk.” 15
- “Beyond that, the Intercontinental is a solid hotel in a great location.” 13
- “The location is very good (but take note of my warning about the steepness of the hill upon which the property sits)” 12
- “IC Melbourne is a great option. Centrally located and close to Docklands and Southern Cross station.” 4
- “The location isnt great for stuff to do but great for a view of the harbor bridge and opera house. I much prefer restaurants in town than at the rocks. You're far for a taxi and have to walk back to circular quay to get public transport.” 1
- “There's a good Kimpton there too. There's an InterCon in Melbourne, which has a great location.” 4
- “The InterContinental Sydney is located between Sydney's beautiful Botanical Gardens and Circular Quay, so it's well-positioned for anyone looking to explore the city.” 12
- “Location is still excellent for work and tourism.” 24
- “Conveniently located in the heart of Circular Quay, InterContinental Sydney is a stroll from the city's Central Business District and shopping hub.” 3
- “Park Hyatt has an AMAZING location and definitely a little more upscale, but IC has a rooftop bar/restaurant with unbelievable views of the Opera House, the Harbor Bridge and the harbor itself.” 1
- “I've never stayed at the Intercontinental, but the location is good - in the business district, but not far from Circular Quay and the Botanic Gardens, Opera House, etc.” 22
- “And, of course, it's one of the best located hotels in Sydney.” 9
Service40 mentions · 1 filmed
- “We arrived at the property at a little past 3pm and the first impression offered wasn't great - there was no one manning the elite check-in desk and there appeared to be too few staff members available to deal with the number of guests wanting to check-in/check-out.” 12
- “The Four Seasons and Park Hyatt are wonderful hotels, with top notch friendly service and location, (OK the Hyatt is a bit pricier).” 22
- “It's still staffed service lounge; and staff in this hotel tend to be the issue. Been ignored and scowled at in the ground floor bar more than once - and weirdly very over attended to at most breakfasts...” 24
- “Service wasn't great. I'm platinum ambassador and there was no recognition whatsoever.” 23
- “Edit: I stayed in July, am also IHG platinum. The room was fine, nice but nothing special. We had a small housekeeping issue.” 1
- “Found the rooms and service at that time to be good so am hoping this has not changed as we are returning to Oz in May and will spend a few days at the Intercontinental again before continuing on with the rest of our trip.” 22
- “What I most appreciated were the convenient location and efficient customer service.” 5
- “Jennifer Aniston, Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, the Boss Hunting Boys, and they've all enjoyed this little alfresco space that I have here to some extent. Now, it's obviously been redone and it looks fantastic and it's actually a really nice way to enjoy sort of a bit of fresh air without having to venture to the rooftop or go down and mingle with the roof raft on New Year's Eve.” On camera111:11
- “Jacob Ransom the bar manager (who we first met at Nashville inspired Jolenes) is the ultimate host.” 14
- “The Club is Fabulous Great views and great food selection with a friendly staff! I'd stay again!” 12
- “Brilliant views, a blissful spa, seamless service, and a clientele of international elite, the Shangri-La delivers in spades.” 16
- “My stay felt like a decadent treat, marked by exceptional service, luxurious comfort, and stunning views.” 18
- “We loved the friendly service and dizzying array of dishes on offer, and the fact that espresso style barista coffee was complimentary, unlimited and very, very good.” 9
- “The property can be slow to act when the number of people wanting to check-in/check-out starts to build up. As it's not hard to work out when peak times are going to be, there's no real excuse for this issue.” 12
- “The room was fine, nice but nothing special. We had a small housekeeping issue.” 1
- “The lilies at reception added to the elegance of the surrounds and their perfume wafted under my nose as I waited for check-in to be completed. Their scent and style all added up to a pretty special welcome.” 6
- “The staff was efficient, but no smiles and no warmth.” 23
- “Check-in was fast and friendly for me and the housekeeping staff were smiley and efficient.” 5
- “The attentive and friendly staff make me feel genuinely welcomed and thoroughly informed about the hotel's must-do's.” 18
- “The service is warm and professional.” 13
- “Stayed at the Shangri La 3 times... It is the best in my view, breakfast not as good as others. but nicer rooms. and service.” 15
- “Maid service was somewhat erratic. On one day I returned to my room at about 5pm to find the room still hadn't been serviced. It also seemed pot-luck as to whether you got the promised nightly turn-down service.” 22
- “The room was dirty, the bathroom and linens hadn't even been cleaned from the previous guest, and the lock on the door was broken. I was able to get the room cleaned (but not to satisfaction; the shower still had someone's hair all over it), but the lock on the door remained broken for 4 days.” 10
- “I found the service to be somewhat lacking in this 5* hotel, and overall I would not recommend it to you.” 22
- “You only have to look at the hotels in places like Hong Kong and Singapore to realise that it doesn't have to be that way. We have stayed at the Intercontinental several times in the past 2 years and have received excellent service each time.” 22
- “Check-out didn't involve the same kind of wait-time as check-in, but it was far from a smooth experience.” 12
- “Eventually more staff arrived and we were checked in by a smiling and pleasant front desk agent.” 12
- “Friendly and professional staff” 5
- “The only glitch during our stay was the additional reservation at Aster on our final night at the hotel that we requested on check-in was forgotten (or unavailable but no one called to let us know).” 9
- “I head to reception which is now modernised into desk pods removing the 'us & them' feeling which older hotels have.” 14
- “Refined, tailored and authentic, InterContinental Sydney's passionate team delight in treating each guest to a unique service experience.” 3
- “Arriving by car, you drive to the lobby entrance, entering what looks like the car park. Check-in is a very small and crowded area.” 22
- “Stepping into the adjacent reception area, I'm impressed by the stunning spotted gum desks and the seamless check-in process from the team behind them.” 18
- “Reception staff were not so friendly Four Seasons and Park Hyatt are far superior.” 5
- “Reception was busy but there were plenty of staff and we were quickly given our keys, a list of hotel amenities and had our dining reservations reconfirmed.” 9
- “We found the staff to be both friendly and attentive when we visited. They got us an excellent dentist on a Friday afternoon and handled a complicated drop off and pick up between our visits.” 22
- “Entering through the elegant four-storey lobby, I'm greeted warmly by the staff at the front desk.” 8
- “Arriving at the InterContinental Sydney on a stunning winter day, we stepped out of our Uber and the dapper porters swooped, our doors were opened, luggage was retrieved, and we were ushered into reception with a warm welcome and many smiles.” 9
- “I have stayed at the Intercontinetal 3 times and find the service outstanding breakfast is fantastic rooms are great.” 15
- “On check out there was the usual quibble over something on the bill, which was resolved in my favour. This certainly isn't unique to the Intercontinental and seems to be the norm these days.” 22
Noise4 mentions
- “There are two types of rooms on offer at the InterContinental Sydney. Although I was on the third-highest floor (Level 27), I heard nearby pubs during the night and construction all day.” 5
- “Despite being in the middle of the city hub, the room was also very quiet, providing a peaceful retreat.” 18
- “A swipe of the card sets the tone for the stay - it's a smart elevator which whisks me up to the 27th floor without touching a button. Fancy that?” 14
- “Noise from nearby pubs and construction” 5
Room30 mentions · 1 filmed
- “The room itself was of a reasonable size, and well furnished.” 22
- “A Harbour-view Club room in the IC Syd must be one of my favourite-ist stays ever! Okay, it was also New Year's Eve 07/08, and the view of the fireworks from the Club at the top of the hotel was nothing short of spectacular.” 23
- “Edit: I stayed in July, am also IHG platinum. The room was fine, nice but nothing special.” 1
- “The room size is okay, definitely not small-ish, although maybe the bathroom is a bit small-ish.” 23
- “...but the room lets itself down with a distinct lack of power outlets. There were no power outlets by either bedside, so the only useable outlets were by the desk...and two of these were taken up by a light and the in-room alarm clock (which were both quickly disconnected!).” 12
- “A new non-smoking double was then somehow found! The new room was off a corridor that smelt a little damp.” 22
- “For both of the hotels, you will be paying a premium for the good views from your room.” 10
- “Back inside the main area of the room, there are tea and coffee making facilities together with a selection of over-priced snacks on top of a cabinet...” 12
- “Already a significantly better experience than the previous night. There weren't any Opera House view rooms available but we were given a city harbour view room. The view was fantastic and you could still see the Opera House from the balcony.” 13
- “Arriving on level 27, we opened the door to our East Harbour Room and were instantly impressed with its modern decor and the views of Sydney Harbour and the Royal Botanic Gardens (a bonus during Vivid as the gardens had an evening light show that we could see from our room).” 9
- “The lack of power outlets on either side of the bed is something that needs to be addressed.” 12
- “First time wasn't good - A/C not working, carpet not vacuumed and room disappointingly old and drab.” 5
- “The outdoor balcony with big cushioned lounge chairs is the ideal spot to enjoy a cocktail.” 7
- “I'm staying in Room 2024, one of the Harbour Bridge Rooms, and it's spectacular. The 32m² space feels huge and is beautifully appointed, with a harmonious blend of classic and contemporary decor.” 18
- “I particularly love the chaise window lounge. It's the perfect place to relax, stretch out and take in the city skyline views.” 8
- “Space: The room is very airy and light with the large picture windows revealing Sydney at its best. The room includes a full-sized desk which would make working there a delight, however the ever-changing view may prove to be a serious distraction.” 6
- “Overall, the room is a good size and the bed is comfortable but the overall feel that it gives off is one of being dated.” 12
- “I realise if you get a room on the North side of the building the views are incredible and the Club Intercontinental has some of the best views in the city.” 13
- “Come into the main room and I got to tell you, this has got to be one of the best views in Sydney. Uninterrupted looking east all the way out to Bondi in the Heads.” On camera110:31
- “A quick survey of the mini bar area reveals something astonishing - champagne glasses. Something most hotel rooms NEVER have! Two shelves of artful teacups and saucers are companions to a well stocked fridge including Mumm, Little Creatures and soft drink favourites.” 14
- “Here, guests can soak in spectacular sights from a roof terrace and wraparound balcony. This is, without doubt, one of the most picturesque views of Sydney Harbour you'll find.” 8
- “The Four Seasons has magnificent views over the Harbour IF you get a room that specifies harbour views.” 15
- “For my stay, I'm booked into a plush Club room, which offers a generous amount of space.” 8
- “hotel with a fantastic club so if you are able to book a club room - go for the Intercontinental for the club. The rooms are a bit ordinary really.” 15
- “We stayed in a lounge-access high floor suite at the Intercontinental. It was the most we've ever spent on a hotel stay and it was money well spent. We had views of the Opera House and the bridge and loved watching the cruise ships and ferries come and go.” 10
- “Room 2207: Has sweeping views out over the eastern part of Sydney Harbour and out to the Heads. Ferries and sailboats skip across the dusty blue water leaving sheer white trails in their wake.” 6
- “With its prime location offering dazzling views of the Sydney Opera House, Harbour Bridge, and Royal Botanic Garden, the 509-room InterContinental Sydney, housed in the beautifully restored Treasury Building of 1851, seamlessly combines the timeless charm of its heritage with the sophistication of a modern design classic.” 18
- “An enormous rectangular window with a stylish black frame offers breathtaking panoramic views of Sydney Harbour, a feature that truly sets this room apart.” 18
- “Another that I have tried is Pacific International Suites. It's only 5 minutes walk away from Darling Harbor and the shopping areas in George Street. Decent room, clean, and relatively affordable.” 23
- “We stayed at the same room via Amex FHR while booking the lowest category room so we can use the $200 credit. We decided against PH because none globalist get a wall view room, Shangrliahas dated room and Four Seasons entry rooms only 250 sq ft (gasps).” 1
Value12 mentions
- “At the right price I'd stay here again because the location is good and, despite the occasional bit of incompetence, the staff are friendly too...but the nearby Sydney Harbour Marriott is better value and would still be my first choice when visiting Sydney” 12
- “The rates were quite competitive give the view and the proximity to the Circular Quay.” 22
- “As you would expect, a loaded minibar is in place to cater to every taste however the price tag is as luxurious as the decor.” 6
- “The breakfast is wonderful, but all high end hotels are way overpriced for breakfast.” 15
- “Most prices were quite reasonable then given the Aussie$ but Intercontinental provides a great view of the harbor and bridge at better rates than the hotels over by George Street.” 22
- “The Club InterContinental Lounge looks very nice and the views of the harbor that the lounge affords are simply spectacular - If I was to return (and if pricing wasn't too bad) I'd book a room that gives access to the lounge just so I could enjoy the views.” 12
- “I really enjoyed the Four Seasons and their rates are very competitive.” 1
- “Major-Dragonfruit371 • 2y ago • Edited 2y ago We stayed in a lounge-access high floor suite at the Intercontinental. We stayed in a lounge-access high floor suite at the Intercontinental. It was the most we've ever spent on a hotel stay and it was money well spent.” 10
- “It was the most we've ever spent on a hotel stay and it was money well spent. We had views of the Opera House and the bridge and loved watching the cruise ships and ferries come and go.” 10
- “But the PH ended up being better value as a Globalist. With the Intercontinental you need pay a lot extra for their club lounges and everything.” 1
- “One of life luxuries is to have a single malt as a night-cap, I was amazed to find that I was expected to pay a service charge to have ice delivered to the room. This is completely unacceptable in a 5* full service hotel.” 22
- “Ph is better value on points cuz cash rate is absurd.” 1
Food21 mentions · 1 filmed
- “Stayed at the Shangri La 3 times... It is the best in my view, breakfast not as good as others. but nicer rooms. and service.” 15
- “Club Intercontinental on level 32 has one of the best views in the city and serves breakfast, afternoon tea and twilight drinks with canapés.” 7
- “No judgement if you want breakfast at 9pm! It's nice to see Australian botanicals feature across the menu and our plate of salt bush and pepper squid is nicely golden, soft and crispy.” 14
- “I only used the hotels restaurants for breakfast. The breakfast was okay - standard buffet.” 22
- “We could have had breakfast downstairs in the Conservatory Restaurant on the first floor which has a larger buffet range, but we take advantage of our club status and say hello world with the most ridiculous views across the harbour.” 14
- “A luxe sanctuary for the well-dressed and well-off, including a renowned spa, delicious dining, and even an urban tennis court.” 16
- “Regency used to have great breakfast until they reopened the lounge last year and globalists were told to take it there instead of the main restaurant off the lobby.” 1
- “Breakfast this morning at Hotel Indigo downtown Los Angeles 10/10” 4
- “The main eatery, Stillery Bar and Dining, offers meals throughout the day, including a decadent high tea.” 8
- “Breakfast at the InterContinental Sydney comes in the form of an impressive multi-room buffet at The Conservatory Restaurant.” 9
- “On my visit, the offering included a range of quality Australian wines, cheeses, seafood, hot bite-sized morsels, dessert and more.” 8
- “Breakfast with a view and drinks at sunset in a great lounge was a huge plus.” 10
- “Refreshments are laid on all day - breakfast, lunch (duck spring rolls and pumpkin and rocket salad), afternoon tea, and 'happy hour' drinks and delicious snacks until 7pm.” 6
- “Entree was sublime. I had about 50 prawns as you can see. Seven scolops. I am pretty full.” On camera112:11
- “I have stayed at the Intercontinetal 3 times and find the service outstanding breakfast is fantastic rooms are great.” 15
- “W has probably the best breakfast in town.” 1
- “While IC breakfast was free, idk if it was worth it and I would have rather eaten somewhere else.” 1
- “You'll get all the usual tea, coffee, drinks and snacks. There is a basic worktable. I found the seat to be really uncomfortable after working for a few hours.” 5
- “When it's time to eat, you're spoiled for choice with three hotel restaurants, plus the renowned Meat & Wine Co. residing on the ground floor.” 19
- “The breakfast room was quiet pleasant - apart from the morning I was squeezed into the small room off the main restaurant, which definitely feels 2nd rate.” 22
- “Though they are amenable to please bring me 2 diet cokes. It's far better than the double bay lounge in terms of food and unlike DB it's not a dark hole.” 24
Bed & Sleep4 mentions
- “Obviously, the most important aspect of a hotel room is its bed. I found the king-sized mattress, linens and pillows to be comfortable and breathable.” 5
- “After some scrambling I find the bedside switch that electronically opens them and sit on my thousand count, oh so delicious king size bed with my four pillow companions and watch the show hundreds of metres below me unfold.” 14
- “There were also bedside controls for lighting and blackout blinds/curtains, a Bluetooth speaker with a docking station, and a large-screen TV. We enjoyed the king-sized bed, coffee pod machine, fancy French tea selection, and Swedish Byredo bathroom products during our stay.” 9
- “Bed: King size and comfy. I sink down slightly as I stretch out and I feel like I am being cushioned and cossetted by the ample feather-down pillows.” 6
View6 mentions
- “View from lounge is still as good as it gets there though the benefit is diminished now there is a bar on top and I remember it as having the walkway now.” 24
- “Spacious rooms and suites offer sophisticated décor and balconies overlooking the harbour or leafy surrounds.” 8
- “Centrally positioned in the heart of Circular Quay, InterContinental Sydney extends breathtaking panoramic views of the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge.” 3
- “The club lounge has gorgeous harbor view though...” 23
- “The interior is a mix of lush carpets, velvet fabrics, greens, blues, creams reflecting the view.” 14
- “But what we loved the most was the view from our room which overlooked the eastern section of Sydney Harbour, Garden Island, and the Sydney Botanic Gardens, which were lit up for Vivid.” 9
Bathroom8 mentions
- “The king-sized signature cloud mattress is exceptionally comfortable, and the marble bathroom, complete with a giant rain shower and Byredo pump bottle toiletries, adds an extra touch of indulgence and sustainability.” 18
- “Despite that the shower, over a full-sized tub, is excellent and not the usual enviro-dribble you often find in hotels.” 6
- “The bathroom is a decent size with grey marble surrounds. Sadly there is no bath, instead a large rain shower is beaconing me.” 14
- “The bathroom was not particularly large, and didn't have a separate bath and shower.” 22
- “The room size is okay, definitely not small-ish, although maybe the bathroom is a bit small-ish.” 23
- “Moving onto the bathroom it's nice enough but not overly spacious.” 5
- “Sadly there is no bath, instead a large rain shower is beaconing me. It is lacking in the 'power' shower department with low water pressure, no problem for Mr G who doesn't have the 'hair problem'!” 14
- “Bathroom: The bathroom is a little tired and shows its age (the hotel was constructed in 1985 however I am sure it would have been renovated a number of times since then).” 6
What we still don't know
What we can’t tell you yet, said plainly. These close as we read more coverage of this hotel.
- Nothing reliable said about room types.
- Nothing reliable said about building or wing.
- Nothing reliable said about which side it faces.
- Nothing reliable said about position on the floor.
- Noise rests on 3 sources — too thin to rely on.
- 24 sources carry no publication date, so we cannot tell how current they are.
Ask about Intercontinental Sydney By IHG
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How much we read
Deep coverage · 57/100We read 24 sources for this property, and pulled 227 traveler insights worth knowing. Last checked 2026-08-28.
0
Editorial
23
Blogs & sites
1
Video reviews
0
Podcast segments
Breadth
38
Depth
54
Freshness
99
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Sources
Everything quoted on this page, grouped by traveler insights, outlets, and video & podcast. Counts beside each group show everything we’ve read of that kind; no one kind can carry the score on its own.
7 of 7 summary lines above are traced to specific quotes. The rest summarise the read as a whole rather than any single document.
View all 24 cited sources▾
Everything quoted on this page.
- 1Sydney: PH or Intercontinental? : r/awardtravelreddit.comForum threadDate not stated16 quotes used
“Edit: I stayed in July, am also IHG platinum. The room was fine, nice but nothing special.”
Read originalreddit.com - 2Intercontinental Sydney Reviewaustralianfrequentflyer.com.auReview siteDate not statedRead originalaustralianfrequentflyer.com.au
- 3InterContinental Sydney | Luxury 5-Star Hotel | Sydney ...sydney.intercontinental.comReview siteDate not stated3 quotes used
“Centrally positioned in the heart of Circular Quay, InterContinental Sydney extends breathtaking panoramic views of the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge.”
Read originalsydney.intercontinental.com - 4Hey guys, need any IG recommendation/advice for sydney ...reddit.comForum threadDate not stated4 quotes used
“Breakfast this morning at Hotel Indigo downtown Los Angeles 10/10”
Read originalreddit.com - 5Review: InterContinental, Sydneypointhacks.com.auReview siteDate not stated20 quotes used
“There are two types of rooms on offer at the InterContinental Sydney. Although I was on the third-highest floor (Level 27), I heard nearby pubs during the night and construction all day.”
Read originalpointhacks.com.au - 6Hotel Review – The Intercontinental, Sydneylifeonebigadventure.comReview siteDate not stated9 quotes used
“As you would expect, a loaded minibar is in place to cater to every taste however the price tag is as luxurious as the decor.”
Read originallifeonebigadventure.com
Showing 6 of 24 cited · 24 read
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