Australia, New Zealand & the South Pacific - Hotel in Sydney - Sheraton 4pts vs. Shangri-La

I'm heading to Sydney soon, and while prices seem to be high overall, I found decent rates at both the Sheraton 4 points and the Shangri-La. In fact, they're pretty much the same price. A Four Points and a Shangri-La the same price? What gives?

So this may seem like a dumb question, but which one should i stay at? I've heard very good things about the 4 points, and some not so great things about the Shangri-La, but then again, the expectations of these places are vastly different. am i crazy to even be asking this question?

Is there any difference in location? I'll be in town for over a week, and will be working downtown. I don't mind a bit of a walk, and would rather be in an area with a bit of character than in a desolate financial district, if that makes a difference.

Any color commentary is welcome.

Thanks!

The Four Points is in a tourist trap zone. I didn't particularly find Darling Harbour to be oozing with character. On the other hand, the Shangri-La didn't appear to be more than a few minutes' walk from Circular Quay, so I wouldn't say it's buried in a financial district.

My three nights at the Four Points over NYE were filled with highlights such as all 620 guest room door locks becoming inactive when the calendar flipped to 2005 (a problem which took up to five hours to fix), a room with more than its fair share of nicks and scratches, a shower surround with quite a bit of mildew, and some rather lengthy strands of hair in the sink. As a Starwood Gold member (which admittedly doesn't mean much, but is certainly a notch or two above the majority of the hotel's guests) I was given a harbour view room but it must have been one of the smallest rooms in the place.

I have not read any reviews on the Shangri-La, but needless to say I was not impressed with my stay at the Four Points. That's just my opinion though; I had a great time at the W a couple of weeks later, which a lot of others seem to think is overrated, so good luck.

Normally the Shangri-la is 3 categories higher than the 4Pts, but the SYD Shangri-la is one of the worst in the chain and the 4Pts is the best in that chain....so it is closer than you would think. Plus the 4Pts happens to have a good pub and a great seafood buffet (maybe the best value in sydney and competitive with Vegas). Overall the Shangri-la is a better hotel (significantly better) and the low price reflects its poor performance with its core market (and general glut of hotel rooms in sydney), while the 4Pts rates are high due to very good bookings from Japan. I wouldn't hesitate to choose the Shangri-la for the same price, but the 4Pts does have some features which might be worth enough to make it competitive (also has free business centre and gym, both very small but a plus).

thanks to you both for your informed opinions. Based on these, am leaning towards the Shangri-La now, despite my near-addiction to Starwood points.

But just to throw another factor into the mix: Now our corporate travel dept. is suggesting the Rydges Jamison for the same price. It sounds lovely. Anyone have any experience here?

But just to throw another factor into the mix: Now our corporate travel dept. is suggesting the Rydges Jamison for the same price. It sounds lovely. Anyone have any experience here?They must be getting a huge kickback from Rydges. It is a full notch down from the Shangri-la and not much better than the 4Pts (more uniform, but then no hotel in Australia has the room variation that the 4Pts has thanks to its Nikko heritage). The Rydges Jamieson would have to be 25% cheaper than the Shangri-la before I'd consider it to be a fair deal (to be fair I've never stayed there, but know someone who has and have been in the lobby).

Based on these, am leaning towards the Shangri-La now, despite my near-addiction to Starwood points.



For a few 1000 SPG points they will upgrade you to a Cockle Bay Suite at Four Points, with balcony, looking right over Darling Harbour.

Best deal in town. I stay there many times a year, last time a couple weeks back. I have 5 or 6 suites booked for Feb actually.

For a few 1000 SPG points they will upgrade you to a Cockle Bay Suite at Four Points, with balcony, looking right over Darling Harbour.

Best deal in town. I stay there many times a year, last time a couple weeks back. I have 5 or 6 suites booked for Feb actually.The catch is that the furnishings are a bit shabby, even in the suites (which are much nicer than the regular 4Pts rooms). Don't expect nice furniture, sheets or bathroom; otherwise the room is spacious (unlike most of the 4Pts rooms) and the view is superb. It is a good deal (and I got that suite sans points, as a Plat upgrade) but it is quite a step down from the Westin or W or Shangri-la if you care about furnishings.

Well I have not stayed in all the Suites. But say half a dozen, and the furniture was OK in all the ones I have seen.

Glen

Just stayed at the Shangri-La in a very large Deluxe (or maybe Premier) Grand Harbour View Room and it was an excellent experience. Great view of the Harbour incl. bridge and opera house. Service was mainly good, housekeeping so-so. Excellent location for The Rocks and Circular Quay and CBD. Can recommend it!

Well, I ended up at the Shangri-La after all and couldn't be happier with it. Not only is it seconds from the office (a nice bonus, and unanticipated) but the Rocks location is much better (more charming, more convenient to the rest of the city and buses, ferries) than Darling Harbour would have been for me. The bathrooms are huge, the service excellent, and the bed is the most comfortable I have ever slept in (on par with Heavenly Bed, maybe better - it's been a while since I've been to the Westin.)

Thanks to everyone for their input. A fine hotel and very good value for the money, I highly recommend the Shangri-La. Wonder how long these good deals will last ...

What WAS the "good deal"?

You never mentioned. :)

Glen