Background
Occupying the former Treasury Building, which was built in 1851 on the site of Sydney’s first Government House, the Intercontinental Sydney, is one of the city’s oldest historical monuments. The building was renovated in the early 1980s to accommodate a 30-storey wing where the bulk of the hotel’s 509 rooms were built. The 250 sqm Australia Suite is perhaps the hotel’s most famous attribute: allegedly the largest suite in Sydney where celebrities such as Cher and Frank Sinatra have stayed. With views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Opera House and Art Gallery of New South Wales, the Intercontinental Sydney is well placed for travellers who are keen to be reminded of their iconic surroundings.
What it’s like?
With its stately Federation façade and ionic columns, the Intercontinental Sydney is more impressive from the outside than when you first enter. Guests are greeted by an often-crowded reception, but the Cortile Lounge does well to make up for the bottleneck. The Cortile is enclosed by three floors of redbrick arches and what is said to be Australia’s oldest functioning elevator. In the lounge, afternoon tea and scones are served, while the evenings are known to host dinner soirees with performances by the Sydney Symphony Orchestra.
Where is it?
In downtown Sydney, the Intercontinental Sydney is located on Macquarie Street, near Circular Quay train station and 12 km from Sydney International Airport. The hotel is a jogger’s paradise, situated within reach of Sydney’s top running tracks, which pass monuments such as Mrs Macquarie’s Chair and the opera house. It is also near the Justice and Police Museum and the site of the International Convention Centre in Darling Harbour, due to open in 2016.
Room facilities
The rooms are most easily defined by their viewpoints, which include city side, Eastern harbour, Opera House and Harbour Bridge views. There are 27 suites (discounting the Australia Suite) that vary in size between 70 sqm and 150 sqm. The Australia Suite offers views of the city from all the above angles.
My Deluxe Eastern Harbour View Room was spacious at 32 sqm, and though the décor was the cream and brown of a 70s palette, the views were ample compensation. I was lucky enough to witness a spectacular sunrise over the city’s botanical gardens and harbour.
A long desk jutted from the wall next to the bed, and was large enough for two people to work at comfortably. Each room has a flat-screen tv with satellite cable, and a cushioned window seat for those who prefer to work or read with a view.
Wifi is not free, although the service is made available if guests opt for the hotel’s loyalty brand, IHG Rewards. While the sockets do not support international devices, an adaptor was available in the room. The bathroom was small, but the chequered floor tiles and period faucets and bath were more twee than passé this time. Opposite the bathroom, the closet was kitted out with iron, ironing board, twin robes and slippers. A full-length mirror hung on the wall, while mirrors next to the bed and TV made the room appear larger.
Restaurants and bars
The hotel's two restaurants, Café Opera and the Cortile, are set within the hotel’s iconic 19th century architecture, and offer dishes with ingredients sourced from Sydney’s local markets. The Cortile is a lovely setting for casual coffees or all-day light meals while Café Opera is better suited to grander meals with both a la carte and buffet set ups, offering live cooking stations and extravagant dessert displays.
The Cortile is the hotel’s pièce de resistance, and at night, huge cylindrical lamps light the courtyard’s dramatic architecture. It’s an impressive venue for cocktails with its vaulted arches and caged elevator.
Business and meeting facilities
In keeping with the hotel’s heritage, meetings take place in 15 restored rooms, most of which are on the second and third floors of the original Treasury Building. High ceilings and period furnishings are featured in all, however the facilities are better suited to medium-scale gatherings with a maximum capacity of 500 for a reception and 300 for a banquet setup. AV equipment is available, although in-room wifi is available only for a fee.
Leisure facilities
On the 31st floor, the Club Intercontinental rooftop lounge is available to VIPs and guests of Club rooms – a fantastic place to enjoy a continental breakfast with a 360-degree view of Sydney Harbour and the city’s suburbs. Complimentary bar snacks are available throughout the day, while at dusk, an aperitivi and antipasti menu is served alongside cocktails. Private check-in and check-out is also available in the Club lounge – a service I was grateful for at 6am when dashing for a 9am flight.
On the same floor, there is a 24-hour gym and small indoor pool with views of the botanical gardens and harbour. I was disappointed by the size of the pool though, hardly large enough to swim five strokes.
Verdict
The Intercontinental Sydney is a great option for business travellers looking for an experience rooted in Sydney’s history. While the room facilities and aesthetics are a little dated, travellers who are more interested in exploring the city will value the hotel’s unmatched location and striking views.
FACT FILE
- HOW MANY ROOMS? 509 rooms: Deluxe Eastern Harbour View Room (32 sqm), Premium Opera House View Room (32 sqm); 28 Suites (70 sqm-150 sqm)
- HIGHLIGHTS Rooms have views facing the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Opera House and the Royal Botanical Gardens.
- PRICE Internet daily rate for a midweek Deluxe Eastern Harbour View Room is AUS$509 (US$445).
- CONTACT 117 Macquarie St, Sydney NSW 2000,+61 (2) 9253 9000; ihg.com/intercontinental
Marisa Cannon
