ibis Sydney Darling Harbour

Getting around Sydney was easy from ibis Sydney Darling Harbour. Barangaroo ferry station was walkable, the Convention light rail stop was nearby, and the overall connections were excellent. What didn't feel right was how we were treated. I got a strong impression of bias, perhaps because we were Indian guests, though I can't say for certain that was the reason. Most interactions felt cold, dismissive and monosyllabic, as if we were expected to work things out on our own. I stopped asking staff for help unless I had to. One Indian staff member was the exception, polite and helpful, and explained things properly. We'd arrived around 9 AM after a long flight, but official check-in was 3 PM. I understand there are policies and rooms may genuinely not be ready, but the process felt rigid: we were simply told to leave our bags and return later. With international travellers arriving at different times, more flexibility, empathy or clearer communication would have made a real difference. The stay was manageable, but hospitality is also about making guests feel welcome and comfortable, and that part felt off to me.

The location was the one real upside, but the price felt like a complete rip-off. I paid over $400 for a stay of less than 24 hours. I would have been better off paying less to stay farther away, where the quality might have matched my money better. The staff were polite and helpful, with good customer service, but the hotel itself was dismal. The room smelled of chemicals without seeming fresh or hygienic. The bathroom hadn't been cleaned properly, and that chemical smell made it hard to sleep. At least the linen and bed were clean. I appreciated the complimentary tea and instant coffee, but that's the bare minimum. Check-in was inconvenient too. We'd travelled with baggage and wanted to drop it off and freshen up before our meetings.

The location worked well, and our trip was generally good, but the rooms and toilets could use updating. The bigger issue was my sunglasses. My husband, cousin and I checked in May 7-9, 2026, and left our luggage with the hotel while we explored because our room wasn't ready. When I unpacked after collecting it later that afternoon, I noticed my police brand sunglasses were missing. I first assumed I'd left them at home, but once we got back to Melbourne I confirmed they had been in my luggage when we handed it over. The hotel said it would investigate, but the response was that nothing suspicious had been found while the bags were in the lockers. I trusted that our things would be safe, and this has taught me to lock my luggage before leaving it with anyone.

The bed was comfortable, and for the price the room had what we needed. It wasn't very large, though, and the amenities could use an update. The location is great. Service could be much better: the shorter man was very slow and didn't smile or engage. He didn't seem helpful or keen to be there.