Checked in 2 days ago for a 5 night award stay. As a diamond, received an upgrade to an opera view room, though to see the opera from the room you have to be on the balcony or at the table in the room. Cannot see the opera from the bed or bath or anywhere else in the room other than the table. Clearly the least desirable "opera view" room in the hotel, as it is on the bend of the hotel between the other, more desireable opera view rooms (some with larger balconies) and the city/harbor view rooms. It appears that the opera house can even be seen from city/harbor view rooms by going out on the balcony and turning your head. Was disappointed not to receive a deluxe opera view room (they were available for our entire stay), but am making the best of it. Balcony is TINY, a semi-circle with a single small chair and a footstool -- really only a 1 person balcony, though a second can sit on the footstool (though not terribly comfortably). Biggest drawback to the room is the utter lack of drawer space -- only 2 tiny drawers and a few small shelves not already in use for minibar, magazines, etc. Would be fine if I was traveling alone on business, but difficult for a month long leisure trip with partner, thereby necessitating LOTS more luggage than usual and living out of the suitcase for a 5 day stay gets old.

Check in was without issues -- was shown to elevator and given instructions on how to reach room. Baggage arrived promptly (even the bags we had stored a week earlier with the bellman following a cruise and preceding a trip to Ayers Rock and Cairns.) A VERY nice bottle of Australian red wine was in the room upon our arrival and a turn down amenity of VERY nice truffles/bonbons arrived shortly after our arrival.

Booked a passport escapes package to include breakfast daily (which is meaningless, since already entitled to breakfast as diamond) and 3 dinners. I KNOW it isn't great points value, but wanted to book one before Hyatt does away with the package. Dinner is nice -- it is taken in The Dining Room and you get 3 courses off the a la carte menu. Can't use it for the tasting menu, but no other restrictions regarding what can and cannot be ordered. Dinner last night (3 courses each for 2 people) ran about $200 with wine by the glass (beverages not included in package) so value is about $150 - $160 per meal. As I said previously, NOT a great value for diamond members since breakfast is already comped, since the 35K Hyatt points equate to about $450 to $480 in value.) View of the opera house from The Dining Room is great

I'm here for another 3 nights, so please let me know if you want me to check something out while I am here or if I can answer any questions.