Rendezvous Hotel Sydney The Rocks

I was sick during my short visit, so having a pharmacy just two buildings away on the same street was really handy. There are lots of good restaurants nearby, and the area felt very safe. The location was fabulous, and the place was huge, with a comfortable, clean bed, a nice shower and a kitchen. I could see the Opera House at night, but by morning a cruise ship was blocking the view. I knew that could happen at certain times, and I’d meant to get up earlier, but didn’t. There was some wear in the sitting area and on the ceilings, which is why I gave it a 4 rather than a 5. Still, it would be a nice place for a family to stay for a week or so. I could hear the concert from the balcony, but once I closed it, it was quiet enough to sleep well.

The location is the best thing about this hotel. Outside, there’s a joyful party atmosphere everywhere. At $435 a night, though, the stay was nowhere near worth it. The terrace suite was incredibly stale smelling, to the point that it made us physically ill. It’s on the ground floor, and security measures include sealing the windows and doors shut apart from the front door. The stairs may meet heritage rules, but they’re a death trap. I wear an Australian size 6 shoe and my foot didn’t fit on them. Everything from carpet to ceiling felt dated and neglected. There were cobwebs, hair behind the toilet, cupboard doors that wouldn’t close, and a TV that didn’t work. We couldn’t get extra pillows or blankets, the spa was out of service, and the pool was ice cold despite the 35-38 ambient temperature. The tea and coffee in the room were revolting, the bath was small and rusty, and the water pressure was barely a trickle. I work in hotel management, and I’d suggest lowering the rating to three stars at most. The Four Seasons offers genuine four star quality at the same price. Will I return? No.

We loved the location, and the restored ground floor apartment was super quaint, with two levels and an amazing bed. The pool outside was lovely, too. But for an expensive hotel, it really isn’t up to scratch. The air conditioner starts up like a Russian sub, repeatedly switching on and off, and the air vent is filthy. The bathroom fan barely works. There’s green moss on the buildings and peeling paint, and the place lacks basic maintenance and cleaning. The broken spa is a safety hazard. The barricade looks like it’s been there ages, and it has fallen over and been screwed down. Keep small people away from it. Management may say the rocks and heritage buildings are tricky, but the hotel presents like a two star roadside motel.

The staff were lovely, and the location is wonderful, but the room was dingy, dated and unclean. Black marks came off the floor onto our socks, so we didn’t feel comfortable walking barefoot. There was also hair in the shower that wasn’t ours. The building and room both badly need painting. Even with the views, the price was outrageous for the experience. At $500 USD a night, the standards should be much higher. This was in no way an American four star hotel stay. I think they turned off the AC in the middle of the night, though I can’t confirm that. It’s a lovely place, but it wasn’t worth the expensive price.