Are there any recent updates on the renovations? Any idea when they’ll be completed? And will it be a huge improvement ‘cos after reading many reviews on Tripadvisor there seem to be a problem with housekeeping ( which I think has a lot to do with the old rooms)

I’m planning a trip to Sydney in October, and I can’t decide where to stay, Hilton or the new Curio as a diamond or even the Sofitel Darling Harbour.

Renovation will keep going in Oct but they’re not doing the renovation sequentially from lowest to highest floor, they’ll move around a bit. I visit this hotel quite often and if you’re here on business, you won’t even know renovation is going on. I think the noise from the remaining tram line construction would be more annoying for guests on the lower floor but looking at the progress it’ll be well over by Oct. If you book the hotel, perhaps make a note in the special request section to avoid being close to the floor that is being renovated.

Thanks for all your replies, very helpfull. Just out of interest, the tragic attack this afternoon in Sydney was that in the Curio area?

It was right in between Curio and Hilton, happened in the corner of Clarence and King Street.

Hilton Sydney

Here for two nights paid stay as a Diamond. Booked lowest cat and upgraded to an executive room the night before the stay. Was offered a room on floor 36 right next to the executive lounge online, so I took it.

Arrived about 8pm from the airport by taxi at 46aud. Fast and friendly check in with good diamond recognition but no suite upgrade.

I was worried about the room condition given the reviews up thread. I must have been in a new room because there was nothing wrong with it. Also, I never heard any construction noise. The room is a little small as is the bathroom. There is an odd, small, uncomfortable designer sofa. The desk and chair are good. The view is quite good.

Breakfast downstair is really very good. Many items of high quality. Also the service for a breakfast buffet is excellent. We had our own friendly waiter. The restaurant is really classy with a great view.

The lounge is the best of the 5 Hiltons that we have stayed at over the last two weeks here in Australia. It is huge with views in three directions. At happy hour, there seemed to be at least six staff on duty. There were several excellent hot items that were quite substantial and very well cooked. There were also large steamed shrimp. There were about four salads and two desserts. Drinks were at a temporary bar with a bartender. More spirits were available than the other Hiltons. Very nice.

Again this thread has some concerns but we must have lucked out as we had no issues. Indeed, the place is really very nice and as a diamond, you are in for a treat. We will be back.

I should have mentioned that my wife was with me which justified the taxi. Btw, she loved the hotel. She was also quite impressed by the massive gym and pool in the basement.

The steam room and sauna are my favs, especially in the colder seasons. For those who are interested in the newly renovated rooms, floor 20-22 are ready with a couple more floors to be released in the next 2 weeks.