Shangri-La Hotel Sydney

A wee bit run down but still offers a lot. Spacious bedrooms. great views of the Harbour and welcoming staff. Breakfast room nice and well laid out.. 10 minutes walk to CircularQuay and further 20 to the opera house So great position in the Rocks

The hotel itself is lovely, with a welcoming atmosphere and a pleasant scent in the main lobby. However, the $105 parking fee (plus credit card surcharge) feels excessive for hotel guests — $50 would be far more reasonable. The rooftop bar on level 36 offers stunning views over the harbour and Luna Park, but the cocktail list is limited and extremely expensive. Standard cocktails are $26–$30, while their “signature” drinks reach an eye-watering $55. The property is perched at the top of The Rocks, so if you’re not fond of steep hills or stairs, plan on using Ubers. That said, walking through the historic laneways and discovering hidden courtyards was a real highlight — it’s a charming time warp. Our room was quite basic considering the price ($600 per night for the most affordable option). The view was disappointing — we faced the freeway leading to the Harbour Bridge, with no bridge or pylon in sight. It also appeared that the TV’s HDMI ports were disabled, as I couldn’t get my media player to work. Staff were consistently friendly and eager to help, which deserves recognition. The rooftop bar team seemed a little overwhelmed during pre-dinner service, though we did arrive as a group of six (our kids joined us for the pre game), which may have added some pressure. Breakfast was easily the standout of our stay — a generous spread with plenty of variety and excellent presentation. After checkout, we appreciated being able to leave our bags and car while exploring the nearby markets, which was a nice convenience. Overall, it’s a pleasant hotel in a prime location, but fairly basic for the price. You’re largely paying for the name and the setting rather than exceptional value.

The lounge had a terrible smell when we entered. Food needs a serious overhaul. It was not at all appealing. Just bits and pieces. It looked terrible. Bed mattress was lopsided. I wouldn’t return. Four seasons is so much better.

Great view from the top floor bar, average service overall, mediocre in room dining Actually not mediocre Revolting And of course bad is always overpriced

We stayed in a Horizon Opera House room with a spectacular view of the Sydney Harbour. Everything was first class; staff, room, bed, bathroom…and the breakfast at the Horizon Club was the breakfast with the best view in Australia on a sunny morning! Can’t speak more highly of this world class hotel. ❤️