very well run and comfortable hotel - if you can get a room with bridge and opera house view - room 2609 was the best city view i have experienced. right location for all sight seeing. try the rockport for a special meal and bonza bike rides for sight seeing

On our recent holiday to Australia we stayed at the Shangri La twice once for three nights at the start and then for one night before flying home.

As other reviewers have said first experiences are important and our first experience of the Shangri La could not have been better. Arriving at 7am in a downpour after a long flight from London the friendly and efficient service was most welcome. We were immediately checked in to a Grand Harbour view room on the 29th floor which was immaculate. Our luggage was in our room before we were. The staff were friendly and helpful through out both our stays.

The rooms do vary in size and layout the Grand Harbour view rooms on the north side are more expensive but the view is worth it and the extra size is generous. On our second visit we were on the 11th floor, again on the north side, the room was marginally smaller - the hotel has a curved north side - but again in good condition. One nice feature is the ability to sit on the window sill and look out on the ferries coming and going from circular quay.

On our first stay we had complimentary breakfast as we were staying for 3 nights - indeed they generously gave us a fourth breakfast free as we had arrived early. Other reviewers have commented on having to wait for a lift which was not our experience the 6 main lifts being fast and intelligently programmed with one usually appearing in under a minute even during busy times.

We ate in the Altitude restaurant on out last night in Sydney the view from the 36th floor is staggering - having booked during our first stay a couple of weeks before we had a table by the window. The food was interesting and not particularly expensive for a city centre hotel with the bill for two including a good bottle of wine being under $300. The hotel buffet breakfast is $36 if you have to pay and was usually very good.

All other nights we ate in the Rocks area finding excellent places to eat within 5 minutes of the hotel - walking back takes a while longer as it is a bit of a climb. As a base to see Sydney the Shangri La is just about perfect

The Shangri-la has an impressive address and impressive view from almost every direction. The lobby is nice and Hart's Pub is kinda cool, the staff are professional and friendly , but other than that it is really just a downtown travellers hotel.

Rooms were very average size, bordering on small with limited amenities available. - In Room Coffee, very important to us North Americans. The bathroom was nice and large with I think the same designer as the Belagio in Las Vegas. The view is fabulous and that alone makes it a nice hotel.

Overall, there was nothing Bad about the Shangri-la, but there was also nothing FABULOUS.

Don't get me wrong this is a good hotel but it is overpriced and not as good as most five star hotels I've stayed in.

Yes, it does have some fantastic views but our room seemed to be populated by quite old looking and not well maintained furniture and fittings.

Room service and restaurants were expensive even for a hotel of this type. Some of the staff were fantastic, others were actually not anywhere near the calibre to be expected of a top hotel.

Personally, I would look elsewhere if staying in Sydney again and would not take a chance on any other Shangri-la resort or hotel after experiencing this one. There are much better hotel options out there!