It is a lovely hotel in one of the top hotel locations worldwide. Wonderful staff, nice ambiance. Loved the bed and linen. The club lounge is definately one of the best I have been in...if not THE best. The magic botanical gardens are outside the door, as is the Opera House. While an InterCon, it has a boutique feel. The rooms are familiar as they follow the formula, but it manages to be intimate.

Stayed here for business for one night and would recommend it.

PROS
Good location - short stroll to Circular Quay
Clean modern furnishings
Spacious rooms

CONS
Slow valet
Bathrooms not as well kept as rooms
No balcony

I would not hesitate to stay here again however to take advantage of the views would try one of the hotels directly in Circular Quay e.g. Grand Quay, Holiday Inn. I did prefer this hotel over the Shangri-La.

Stayed in the Intercontinental during a business trip for more than a week.
Typical business hotel with very litlle offering for family travel or similar. Best feature is definitely the location, right next to the beautiful botanical garden and close to the ferry pier.
The check in was smooth and efficient and amazingly my room was ready although it was only 11am. The room overalls are very small, the bathroom even smaller.
Housekeeping did an excellent job and the room was spotless and they went to great lenght everyday to tidy up the place.
The gym on the top floor has an excellent view and not much more. Unfortunately during my stay the pool was closed for renovation so cannot comment on that.
The lobby cafe shop is a good place for a drink at any time of the day, with a nice old fashioned touch to it and the staff was extremely friendly and courtouse. However, charging 5 Dollar for a simple croissant is close to dailight robbery.
The breakfast in the restaurant was ok, but nothing really to write home about.
Very dissapointing that after my business partner and myself stayed there each more than a week, they only granted late check out for like 1 hour.

Stopped off in Sydney for 7 nights after 4 weeks in New Zealand. Researched several hotels but kept coming back to the Intercontinental. Booked a Club Watson's Bay view room and we were not disappointed in any way. 9pm check in smooth and effortless. Room spacious, quiet and comfortable.
Breakfasts on top floor Club lounge offered a good selection to suit all tastes. My only criticism was that some mornings the bacon was thin and overcooked. Complimentary newspapers and free internet access made for a leisurely start to our day. Tea and sandwiches were available from 2.00pm and now the best bit - from 5.00pm till 7.00pm complimentary drinks and a chef's tasting plate were served. This was the highlight of the Club option as well as the views from the top floor lounge and open air deck. The Club staff were friendly and helpful in every way and because we were staying for 7 nights they got to know us and took an interest in our day and plans for tomorrow in a discrete and professional manner. They suggested an all day ferry ticket with trips to Watson's bay first then Manly for lunch and a good walk and the evening ferry to Darling Harbour for Dinner (after the complimentary drinks of course) . The lounge manager gave good advice on a day trip to the Blue Mountains and where to have lunch and she was genuinely delighted when we took her advice to the letter.
Other highlights included the Botanic Gardens opposite the hotel with the legend beside the Wattle (or Acacia tree) including the quote from Monty Python " This here's the Wattle, the symbol of our land ,etc etc "
Check out was arranged by the club lounge manager with our suitcases collected from our room while we had afternoon tea on the club deck.
Most impressed by the hotel and so glad we opted for the club option as part of our retirement treat.