In June I spent 2 days exploring Sydney at the end of a long business trip. I stayed at the Crowne Plaza Darling Harbour. The hotel lobby and dining area's were all really new and nice. I strayed down to the bar to have a few glasses of wine and was surprised at how expensive it was. The wine served at the resturants around the city seemed much cheaper then at this hotel. The food on the dine in menu was the same way. I wouldnt reccomend spending the money and eatting or drinking at the hotel. However Darling harbour is right across the street and there are plenty of nice resturants and places to eat.
The rooms with a view of the harbour are more expensive then the rooms that do not have a view. In general, the room was clean, however they very small and very dark. So dark that it was acutally difficult for me to put my make up on in the a.m.

Overall, the hotel was clean and the most resonably priced for that particular neighborhood but you are really just paying for the location as the hotel is right across the street from the famed Darling Harbour.

We spent 6 nights here as part of our honeymoon. Over all the hotel was quite good, very clean, spacious and comfortable but there were a few issues:

1) upon arrival (7.45am) we were told we couldn't check into our room until 2pm....not what you want to hear after a 13 hour flight. the hotel had been given advance notice of our arrival time so after a bit of an arguement we got our room about an hour later.

2) the breakfast buffet is very, very expensive. We chose to eat most mornings at one of the many restaurants in Darling Harbour

3) Access to Darling Harbour itself is a 5 minute walk via some very busy roads and bridges. There was extensive building work in the area at the time which may have caused this but I wouldn't have fancied the walk with kids or a disabled person.

All in all not a bad hotel but not worth the money we paid in my opinion.

The hotel believes in good service and big smiles. I definitely saw a big smile from a check-in staff. Impressive. The room is big and clean. It is rated as 4 star which is accurate. Not as luxury as Hyatt or anything like that but much better than some hotels that have been rated 4 star as the Menzies Sydney. I can't comment much on the hotel as I stayed there for a night only. It would be nice if the hotel has a swimming pool and a sauna.

Stayed in September 2007 for a seminar held in the nearby Convention Centre (less than 10 min slow walk).

Hotel is also easy walk to the Chinatown district (and some cheap eats!).

Service at check-in is fast and efficient.

Room (City View/Queen Bed) was well presented, although the desk was somewhat underlit.

Foxtel, Skynews and Free to air TV on offer.

Good range of in room complimetary tea (black, green, and varied range from Husk). Caution - additional serves of Husk variety will cost $4,

Bathroom has separate tub and (large) shower cubicle.

Buffet breakfast is good, if somewhat ordinary in terms of offerings. A chef is on hand to fry or omelette eggs for you. Pastry range is limited to one type of danish and croissant.

Staff at the restaurant were very helpful and friendly.

Concierge offers short term luggage storage after checkout which was handy for our final day.