My partner and I stayed at the Shangri-La in Sydney for a week at the end of April. Our primary gripes are with the cost of breakfast room service and the availibity of the concierge.
Firstly, the concierge. We'd hired a car and parked it at the hotel. 90% of the time we called the concierge, the number would be engaged. It would take at least 10 mins of repeated dialling to get through. Quite a few times, we would just go down to the lobby and ask for the car there. On one occasion, the concierge on duty asked us why we didn't call first. We told him the line was permanently engaged. He could have said that he would look into it etc; but all we got was a shrug of the shoulders and a look that said 'too bad'. On another ocassion, we'd arrived back at the hotel at around midnight and we couldn't find one of the concierge staff to give the car keys to. We gave them to one of the receptionists. The next day, we called down for the car. They kept us waiting for 20 mins as they couldn't find the car. When they eventually found our keys, we were told that there were 5 other people in front of us. By this time we had been waiting for 30 mins and were late to meet friends. To the hotel's credit, they did refund the days parking - but the lack of urgency by the staff was infuriating. The last point is that cost of the room service breakfast. AU$9.50 for 3 pieces of sliced white bread that I then have to toast myself is a rip-off. Not to mention the AU$12 for half a grapefruit. The cocktails at the Blu Horizon bar are also ridiculous. We paid AU$50/GB£25 for 2 martinis! We live in London and drink in places like the St Martin's Lane Hotel and the Sanderson...The Shangri-La is not in the same league and they charge more for their drinks. Avoid eating and drinking in this hotel at all costs. You can go to a cafe on George St and get toast and a coffee for AU$4.

We stayed at the Shangri La for three nights while on our honeymoon travels en route from Thailand to Queensland. The hotel is well positioned and is a short stroll to the harbour. It is at the top of the hill so it is not ideal for anyone who would find an uphill, steep walk hard. The hotel is pretty new. It has all the conveniences you would expect of a hotel that is part of a well known international chain. The harbour view rooms on the Horizon Club level are excellent and well worth the extra cost. You also get drinks and canapes (all very good) in the Horizon Club itself and a complimentary contintental breakfast unless you wish to venture down to the main breakfast area for the full works. The rooms are spacious and clean. The bathrooms are very good with lovely L'Occitane toiletries and a powerful shower and reasonably roomy bath. It's not unique or cosy, but it does what big hotel chains should do with panache.

We read a few of the reviews on Tripadvisor and thought the Shangri-la hotel sounded lovely.

On arrival the staff were very helpful our bags were collected immediately. We were shown to our rooms and as promised the rooms are a very nice size. All the soft furnishings are new and the views from the opera house view rooms are very nice.The bathrooms are comfortable and the showers are big enough. There is also a mini - bar in every room.

Our television set was broken o the second day of arrival and within minutes it was repaired.

The front desk was willing to help with every possible requirement and would arrange anything.

The buffet breakfasts were very nice and the selection was fine. Although for supperd I would try and eat at one of the other restaurants as the selection at the hotel restaurant is not that large and is very expensive. The staff are very polite.

This hotel really is what all the reviews say and I would defintely return for another trip.

very well run and comfortable hotel - if you can get a room with bridge and opera house view - room 2609 was the best city view i have experienced. right location for all sight seeing. try the rockport for a special meal and bonza bike rides for sight seeing