This is a typical American chain hotel – everything working well, nothing fancy. We have chosen this hotel because they allow 2 adults plus 2 children in a room (not so common in Sydney) and because of the Opera House view. The surcharge for Opera view was certainly worth it, also because rooms on this side of the building are significantly larger than those towards city or bridge.

The Marriott is in an excellent position for transportation (ferries, trains, buses) and for business (post office in the same building and ANZ bank across the street, for instance). The immediate area is of limited interest for tourists, especially in the evening and during weekends when everything is closed. Darling Harbour might be a better location for family vacations.

Alpha Café is in the same building and it offers quick bites at reasonable prices (for the area). Friendly service, too. Recommended for breakfast. Closed Sunday.

One thing we particularly liked was the friendly maid service. The maid always cleaned our room early in the morning so it was ready when the kids returned for a nap.

A few things could be improved:
- The mattress was far too soft
- I don’t quite understand their policy towards early arrivals. They have the arrivals lounge, which is a very generous gesture. On the other hand, they only started checking in people after 11am. Checkout process was in full swing when we arrived at 8am, so it should be possible to have rooms ready a bit earlier (?)
- Morning newspapers and turndown service should be standard at 5 star hotels. At this Marriott, they are only available on request.
- Windows can’t be opened

Stayed here for 2 nights as part of a work awards night. It was a very pleasant stay, the room was spacious and decorated in heritage colours. Being a work package we were in the cheapest rooms, so didn't have a view, but no complaints as the room made up for it.

Very close to Circular Quay and MCA where the event was held.

My only complaint was the hotel didn't deliver the welcome letter explaining when to arrive at the event and that there would be a photographer outside to snap professional mementos of the evening, so as a result only about 10% of the guests knew about this.

Stayed at the Marriott Circular Quay for 4 days in March 2008 during the Easter break. Location was definitely one of the best available, very convenient and super easy access to all ferries, trains and buses. Arrived at 9am, and they were kind enough to let us check-in straight away. Eventhough it wasn't exactly the room that we booked, but it was acceptable (24th floor Harbour View Room), or otherwise we had to wait til 3pm. The view was not the best, but still could see the Sydney Opera House. All staff was relatively friendly and helpful, and the hotel condition was perfect. On the other hand, we were rather disappointed at the room condition and its cleanliness. It looked a bit old, definitely not one of their newer rooms, and cleanliness was slightly below average for 4-5 star hotels, especially the bathroom condition on the first day we arrived, let's not go into details tho :) One other point to mention, we did inform the hotel before and upon check-in that it was part of our honeymooon trips (1st leg), but we didn't receive any congratulation or special treatment or gifts from the hotel at all. I guess we expected more, as we did get married at Marriott Hotel in Jakarta as well and their service, cleanliness and the special treatment that we received over there was fantabolous!! Thus, we thought we would receive the same in Sydney. But overall, the hotel environment was excellent inside and outside. Highly recommended to anyone, but for our next trips, we might try other hotels near by.

Great location, terriffic service and wonderful view (from select rooms). We spent our 10th wedding anniversay trip (adult only trip is ex the 3 kids) at the Marriott and it was excellent.The hotel is a half block from Circular Quay which is the harbor area around the Opera house, Harbor bridge, dozens of excellent restaurants and shopping in the Rocks.

Restaurants Near by:

- Cafe Sydeny on the fifth floor of the customs house was our favorite. Need to reserve a terrace table overlooking the opera house and bridge, best inthe harbor.

- Quay on 3nd floor of Overseas Terminal has the best side view of the Opera house of any of the restaurants.

- Aria at the end of the pier just next to the Opera house was OK but I think over rated and we personally would not return to this one preferring instead to go back to Cafe Sydney or Quay.

Activities:

- Wine Country: "Red Carpet" tours out of the Marriott to the Hunter Valley vineyards was very nice. An all day event thouhg, 0730-1800...Visited three wineries, had brefast with the kangaroos on the way, choclate factory and a great lunch. We were lucky to have only one other couple with us.

- Live Music: "The Basement" litterally next to the Marriott is an excellent live jazz club (all AUS bars and restaurants are NON smoking:) )

-Bridge Climb: You get to go to the top of the Harbor Bride, makes for excellent photos overlooking the Opera House and city. It's a 3.5 hour event and is superbly organized, completely profesional and very safety conscious. You are connected to the bridge the enitire time by a cable but you are very free to walk to walk and climb ladders. A must do experience....

- Bondi Beach: A ~$20 tai ride away, it a very popular spoke for locals with a very nice cliff walk trail starting form here connecting to adjecent beaches. We enjoyed walking the trail, eating at one of the many side walk cafes and drinks from the bar over the swim club at the one end of the beach offers excellent views...

-Roayl Botanica Gardens: great place for liesurely walks and photo taking just next to the opera house

Shopping

- "Rocks Market" by the base of the Harbor Bridge was excellent for artisian type items of very good quality are reasonable prices. Most prices are marked and haggling is minimal. Lots of jewerly, photos, art work, books, puzzles, food items, kids plush animals, and some clothing items

- Pitt Street Mall area It's in walking distance to dozens of excellent restaurants.