This hotel exceeded our expectations. It is an easy block to Circular Quay across from the botanical gardens and yet removed from any noise. The hotel has a lot of old world charm, antique furnishings and paintings and a very courteous, caring staff. We had everything we could ask for in a hotel and would most certainly stay there again. It was like coming home at the end of the day. Try to book a room with an inclusive breakfast - the best we had on our trip.

The location is very good. The hotel needs to be closed for major renovation. The rooms also need renovation. The heating in my room did not work well. The pool is smaller than a bath tub. The exercise facilities are very small. All in all, the stay was nothing special. However for the money there are many better options in the area. My real gripe with the hotel is that I was over charged. I had 2 gift certificates. I used both while I was at the hotel, but forgot to write on the receipts that I was using gift certificates. Upon checking out of the hotel, I saw an extra $100 on my bill, but when I explained to the front desk that I had used 2 gift certificates they agreed to correct my bill. However, a months latter when I was home, my credit card was charged the additional $100. I sent an email to the hotel and their corporate office, however neither has had the courtesy to respond in the last 2 months.

I would not stay at the hotel again because if you look at the property you can see it used to be a grand dame when it was part of the Ritz Carlton chain, but as the hotel began to deteriorate the Ritz choose to abandon the property since obviously the owners of the hotel choose not to upgrade. If you want to stay at a hotel that used to be nice this is the place for you. I used to work in the travel industry and can assure you that when a Ritz Carlton drops a hotel it is a sign that the hotel is going down hill. If you are looking for hotel that is top notch than this is not the place for you. This hotel is better situated for someone who doesn’t feel comfortable at a true 5 star property. I would not say here again.

I have stayed at Sir Stamford, Circular Quay for about 4 years now on every visit to Sydney from my hometown of Melbourne. Even though I will note some shortcomings here, I still rate it as excellent. Firstly, the staff are fantastic, very friendly. Secondly, the rooms are lovely. It is a classy hotel, with a lovely sitting area off the lobby. The rooms are kept close to meticulous by housekeeping. The rooms are larger than the average Sydney hotel room, very spacious. The beds are so comfortable. On my most recent stay I was looking forward to watching the US Presidential Primaries on CNN. Since my last stay six months ago the hotel has ditched CNN and the only news channel is BBC. When my back went out and I was confined to the room for 3 days with only two music cable channels, three sports channels and the Discovery channel for company (I am female!) I was not thrilled. I hope the hotel reads this review because I do not plan to stay here until CNN is returned. Being an international hotel, CNN is a minimum requirement and I would love FOX news and/or Sky News as well. Room service meals continue to be dodgy, one night great, the next bland and ordinary. To sum up, if you don't want to watch the news or eat in your room, this hotel is great, I particuarly recommend it for older travellers as they will love its style.

Few hotels would permit less than 3 night bookings over new years so we grabbed a two night reservation at this very well located hotel, just behind the opera house. The hotel is clean and the beds have luxury sheets and duvets but the carpets are worn, and the feeling is also worn. Yes, its clean and well located but incredibly overpriced. No restaurant to eat a light snack or a la carte breakfast, so we went next door to the very attractive intercontinental. Time for a face lift for this hotel.