January and February 2020 AD. Timothy and I embark on a 21st century Odyssey. On the Majestic Princess from Sydney to New Caledonia, Vanuatu and Fiji. Back to Sydney, then to Melbourne and flying back home.

After a smooth and early arrival on Thai Airways from Bangkok we took a train from the Sydney International Airport Terminal to the city centre. Our hotel, the InterContinental Sydney was located in between Circular Quay and the Royal Botanical Gardens.

As we had booked a club room we could immediately head up to level 32 and check in in the Club Lounge. We had a very early arrival before 9 am and where offered a tea when arriving in the Club Lounge. We waited about half an hour before our room was available which was excellent as this meant it was not yet 10 am when we had our room to drop our bags, take a shower and change clothes.

Unfortunately due to there being a lot of Ambassadors in the hotel they were not able to give us an upgrade to a higher room category so we received our booked King Club Room with city view.

This meant we were overlooking a building site but did not suffer too much from construction sound. The hotel did however send us an e-mail beforehand explaining the situation, something I truly appreciate because honesty and openness is something I really value.

The room itself was not the most spacious and a bit dated but it was comfortable. It had a huge and very inviting bed. Near the window was a shelf – seat combination which was a nice use of place,. The television was against the wall together with a chaise longue.

 

The command central next to the bed operated the different lighting options as well as the automatic blackout curtains.

In between the bed and the dressing was a nice big working desk, it just lacked a proper desk light.

There was a small minibar and coffee/tea facilities in the corner between the room and the corridor with the closet. the hotel even offered an adaptive plug to use between the Australian style plugs on the room and your own home style plug.

 

The bathroom was a traditional style but with a small window to the bedroom for ventilation and to allow in natural light. The hotel also did not have the standard Agraria products but used a nice alternative brand.

 

The hotel consists of a classical building fronting Macquarie Street and the Royal Botanical Gardens while most rooms are in the more modern main hotel tower behind it.

 

Our room was located on the 30th floor while the gym and pool where located on the 31th floor, the gym was nicely equipped for a hotel gym while the pool area was a bit barren. The pool itself was sufficiently large and the water pleasantly warm while a corner of the pool had some sprays to serve as the Jacuzzi.

 

The top level of the hotel, floor 32, was dedicated to the Club Lounge offering a magnificent view over the bay, the Harbour Bridge and the opera house. The lounge itself had some nice seating possibilities but a distinct lack of power plugs, combined with the visible wear and tear you could see it was a bit older and due for refurbishment in the coming years.

 

Food and beverages where mostly served to you, using a high number of staff present (up to 8 people were working the lounge, which is the most we’ve ever seen) they offered a menu sporting the free and paid items.

 

In the morning there was breakfast with some mains you could order off a menu and a reasonable buffet with hot and cold items which you could plunder yourself.

 

During the day there where complimentary tea, coffee and soft drinks together with some bites, some on the buffet and some more on the menu. If you wished for something more you could also order some things of the paid menu, which is a first in a lounge for me. We tried it out by ordering a plate of sushi one afternoon.

The afternoon tea was very well executed, with a nicely filled étagère featuring some High quality sandwiches and pastries.

 

In the evening there where complimentary alcoholic drinks, even featuring some delicious cocktails of the menu (I volunteered to try them all). You were served some canapes upon request, all of a very high quality, one night we were served oysters and another night lobster. If you wished you could stuff yourself from the buffet with charcuterie, cheeses, vegetables and fruits.

 

In our opinion the InterContinental Sydney was a very good hotel with a perfect location and polished service. The only downside we could think of was that it started to look a bit tired and worn and might be due for refurbishment in the coming years.

What was your most prime located hotel stay? Let us know in the comments below!