Rendezvous Hotel Sydney The Rocks

The location was fabulous. I don’t have much time to visit and I wanted a good view of the opera house. The place was huge as well. I was able to see the opera house at night but by morning the cruise ship was already in the way. It was fine, for I knew that’s kind of what happens during a certain time of the day. I had intended to wake up earlier but I didn’t. I was sick but the location was near a pharmacy right in the corner and I was able to get what I needed. It was two buildings away on the same street. There’s a lot of great restaurants there and it was very safe. The bed was comfortable and clean. The shower was nice and it also had a kitchen. This would be a nice place for a family stay for a week or so. I gave it a 4 and not a 5 because it did have a little bit of wear in the sitting area and the ceilings. But overall it was a very nice place. I could hear the concert from the balcony but it was quiet once I closed it and was able to sleep well.

For those looking for a pleasant, odour free stay, opt not to stay in a terrace suite. Because it is on the ground floor, the establishment has taken steps to ramp up security. One of the measures is to seal windows and doors shut, with the exception of the front door. We were met with a very stale aroma that made us physically ill. The stairs, while they may comply with the heritage rules are a death trap. I'm an Australian size 6 shoe and my foot didn't fit on them. Everything from the carpet to the ceiling is increasingly dated and frankly, neglected. Cobwebs, hair behind the toilet, cupboard doors not closing, TV not working, no possibility for extra pillows or blankets, the spa was out of service, the pool, despite the ambient temp being 35-38 was ice cold. The teas and coffees used in the room were revolting, the bath was small and rusted, the water pressure was a trickle at best. Best thing about the hotel is the location. Once you're outside, everything assumes a joyous party atmosphere. At $435 per night, the Four Seasons offers the same rate for genuine 4 star quality. Being in hotel management, I would suggest a revision of the hotel's rating and change it to 3 stars maximum. Will I return? No.

For an expensive hotel - really not up to scratch. The location is amazing. We stayed in a restored ground floor apartment. 2 levels. Super quaint. The bed was amazing. The air conditioner sounds like a Russian sub starting up. It intermittently kicks in and out. Air vent is filthy Bathroom fan barely works. Outside- pool lovely. However- the broken down spa is a safety hazard. The barricade looks like it’s been there a really long time. It’s fallen over so it’s been screwed down. DO NOT let your small people near it. Buildings have green moss and paint peeling. And of course - management will say “ it’s the rocks, heritage buildings can be tricky”. This hotel lacks basic maintenance and cleaning. We loved the location but it presents like a 2 star roadside motel.

This is in no way an American 4 star hotel experience, but the intentions are in the right place. The staff and service were lovely, but the dingy, dated, and uncleanly room is not worth the inane price, even considering the views. The floor left black marks on our socks, we weren’t comfortable having our bare feet on the floor. The building desperately needs painting, as does the rest of the room. The location is wonderful, but the expensive price again is not worth the experience. I think they turned off AC in the middle of the night? But that’s not confirmed. Again, it’s a lovely place, but the price was outrageous and the standards need to be higher if you’re paying $500 USD a night. There was hair in the shower that did not belong to us.