Australia, New Zealand & the South Pacific - A Luxury Sydney Hotel on a Budget?

I'm going to be in Sydney for a week in early September. (Coming in from CMB in Biz class on the A380 so you can guess what great "deal" I was able to book) ;)

Mrs. daveinsf and I enjoy a bit of luxury but try not to break the bank. Right now I've booked the Shangri-La in Sydney for the first two nights on their special rate that includes airport transfers, breakfast, internet and unlimited laundry. This rate at $499 per night is about $100 extra per night but I figure the extras are worth it on their minimum two-night stay. Our schedule is such that we probably will have practically everything we are carrying laundered.

Then we are thinking of moving to the Four Seasons for the other five nights in an Executive Opera View room for $415 per night.
By the way, although I am Diamond, I was less than impressed by the Sydney in Hilton (over New Year's) since the room was very small, the lounge very crowded (although I realize part of that was probably the busy time of year) and the location not as nice in my opinion as being closer to Circular Quay. So that's why we decided to check out other hotels.
Anyhow, I'd be interested in anyone's thoughts, whether my tentative plan sounds good, or if there is another option in the same ballpark price-wise that might be even better? Thanks much for anyone's ideas.

The Hyatt in Sydney is $1000pn, so I use the Sheraton on the park, where if you are able to book 21 days in advance (I never have) you can get an executive club floor room for AUD$345per night. This Sheraton is on Hyde Park, beautiful location and within easy stroll to all of the major shops, and close to subways to whizz you everywhere. regards bkkrop

Thanks for the suggestion. Where were you able to get the $345 rate for an executive floor room? On the Starwood web site it comes up as $500 per night and that's the city-view room during my dates, which are four months off.

How about going to the Blue Mountains or the Hunter Valley? They've decent properties at that price level too.

Check the Starwood Z6H promotion (http://www.starwoodhotels.com/promotions/promo_home2.html?promoCode=Z6H)(buy four night get two free) promotion for the week you'll be visiting. I'm seeing $2,000 for six nights in a Club Level room at the Sheraton (works out to AU$333/night), or $1,700 for six nights in a standard room (AU$283/night).

The Observatory Hotel (http://www.observatoryhotel.com.au/), part of Orient Express, is also a good choice, though it's a bit further away from Circular Quay and the Rocks.

Starwood offer at the Sheraton at the Park looks interesting. It would work out to about $2500 for my seven nights vs. $3,000 at the Shangri-La and Four Seasons. Deducting the value of the airport transfer and laundry, I'd save approx. $350. Minuses would be no harbor view and less desirable location, in my opinion, at the Sheraton. Do folks think the Sheraton is a much nicer hotel than the Four Seasons? Key items would which has nicer rooms and the best executive lounge.

.... Do folks think the Sheraton is a much nicer hotel than the Four Seasons? Key items would which has nicer rooms and the best executive lounge.They are comparable hotels overall (which is high praise for the Sheraton). Note that the Sheraton was defrocked by Starwood (downgraded from Luxury Collection due to not being able to meet the high standards for that chain in their operation -- the building does meet it). The better half of the rooms at the Sheraton are a lot better than the worse half, and better than the Four Seasons has. Particularly true for the club rooms. Overall I would pick this Sheraton over the Four Seasons (which was not built to be an FS, but for another chain, and not the best FS around). But I usually stay at the Westin, as that is a very well managed hotel and better than the Sheraton (to my taste). All it lacks is a view.

But I usually stay at the Westin, as that is a very well managed hotel and better than the Sheraton (to my taste). All it lacks is a view.

As an occasional guest at places on the weekend I agree the Westin has everything except a great view and rooms were refurbished in 2007 IIRC.

On FT the consensus has been that the SOP lounge is among the best in Sydney.
I was very happy with the Westin lounge and the people there.
For me, the Westin is perfectly located (aside from a 'city' view) and has what I want in a city hotel.