Just stayed at this hotel for a couple of days. May be repeating some things already mentioned upthread, but these are my thoughts.

The Exceptional:

• The Staff. Issues have been worked out, as everyone was very helpful and got us the answers or what ever else we were looking for. Remembered us quickly even though we only stayed 2 days.
• Breakfast. Buffet breakfast that went above and beyond. Being Canadian, my definition of bacon is different from the Aussies, but the breakfast here had bacon that we are used to. Pancakes, eggs to order, pastries and a whole bunch of stuff that didn't even register on my radar(likely stuff for the Asian crowd). Service is excellent, and the food is very good.
• Beds. Very comfortable, slept as well as I could given a 15 hour TPAC flight.

The good:

• Fitness amenities. Two pools, one is 24 hours, one is the "Wet Deck" with bar service after 6 pm I believe. The gym is quite large, and has a decent amount of equipment, all of which is in good working order from what we could tell. As someone who likes barbells, I can't call it great since it's not really black iron, but it's a good gym for a hotel.
• Security. You need to swipe your room key to get the elevator to go up. Not fool proof but helps keep trespassers down.
• Location. At the south end of Darling Harbour, easy access to the wharfs and that part of the walk. If you're looking to be near the Opera House it's not ideal, but for our purposes it was a very good location.

The Bad:

• Room layout. Once again, the epitome of "hotel room designers who don't actually stay in hotels." The "bar" cabinet takes up a lot of space, in a room that has rounded edges. There is a long chair, and only a small table, covered with items the hotel provides. Had to move a lot of stuff to make room for the laptop. I wouldn't be looking to work in the room we had. It's possible other rooms have more space. But for the size of the room, the space is not used well. Also, barn door to the washroom. For the love of god please stop with these. Doors have purposes and these things do not achieve them.
• Shower. Was it Nate Bargatze who did a whole skit about water on the floor in hotel washrooms? There is a tub but the shower is simply.... there. Water somewhat drains in the floor drain, but it also goes everywhere. You end up spending 5 minutes toweling up the water in half of the room so that you don't walk in and sock your socks later.

Overall this a pretty good hotel. The price is up there, and using the Fine Hotels and Resorts program through AMEX probably colors our opinion a little bit, but none of the nice hotels in Sydney are cheap. It's a luxury hotel and many things are up to snuff. I can't say we know enough to know when a luxury hotel falls short, but this one seems to fit the bill. We are staying there again in a week and change for a few nights before we head back to NA. We definitely enjoyed our stay here.