Intercontinental Sydney review: Luxury hotel with harbour views that are hard to rival

THE LOCATION

Located on Macquarie Street near Circular Quay, the InterContinental Sydney is within walking distance of the city's most popular attractions, including the Sydney Opera House, the Harbour Bridge and The Rocks. The hotel's Cafe Opera got its name because it was the closest restaurant to the Opera House when the hotel first opened three decades ago. It's less than a five-minute walk to Circular Quay train station, which is also one of the main bus stops and the main ferry hub in the city, making it easy to explore other corners of the city, such as Pitt Street mall and Chinatown, by public transport.

THE SPACE

The InterContinental Sydney has one of the best locations for a luxury hotel in Sydney, with rooms and a roof-top balcony that offer harbour views that are hard to rival. Housed inside Sydney's old Treasury Building that was built in 1851, the hotel is home to the oldest heritage lift on this side of the hemisphere, which dates back to the late 1800s. It's also home to Australia's first vault, which dates back to October 1851. The vault remains untouched and can be found behind the old florist shop (currently not in operation) on the ground floor of the hotel.

The hotel has 509 guest rooms (including 28 suites) that offer views of Sydney Harbour from a window seat or chaise longue. It's the only luxury hotel in Sydney to feature an outdoor wraparound terrace. Club lounge (Club International) guests have exclusive access to the terrace on level 32, which offers sweeping views from Sydney Harbour through to Woolloomooloo. The terrace is open to the public during Supper Club, a champagne and cocktail-inspired evening, which opens Thursday to Saturdays from 8pm til late. For non-club guests, it's the perfect opportunity to see some of the best views of Sydney and boy, are the views worth it.

THE ROOM

I'm staying on the 24th floor in a King Opera House View Room which has a king-size bed, an executive style desk, a chaise and a window lounge with views over Sydney Harbour (I can see both the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House from the window, unfortunately a tall residential tower spilts the view). The room is 32 sqm with burgundy and neutral tones, and features two large wall-to-window mirrors on either side of the window frame, which makes the room feel more spacious and brighter. The bathroom retains heritage features, including a wooden and marble basin with drawers. There's an extendable clothesline where I hang my swimmers (the indoor pool is on level 31). Next to the bathroom mirror is a small window that opens into the bedroom; and I can see the Harbour Bridge while I brush my teeth. My favourite thing about the room is being able to lie down in bed and still see the Harbour Bridge. The fact that the right bedside lamp is not working and the left one is letting out a humming sound doesn't distract from the views. I switch them both off, falling asleep under the glimmer of the Harbour Bridge.