Sir Stamford at Circular Quay - Pub in Sydney New South Wales

Part 1 of 2 ---- Sadly the Sir Stamford's glory days are gone. Before Covid, when I flew into Sydney I loved the nostalgia and attention to detail - live pianist in the Bar/makeshift restaurant, friendly service, cleanliness of the rooms and entire hotel. It was like taking a moment to walk back into Australia/Britian's yesteryear and have a view into the past - while feeling spoiled at the same time.
Today, there is a dank smell in the reception area - it's either mold or mildew - you cannot hide the muskiness - plus they have defusers everywhere to try to hide it. The young lady tried to tell me it was her perfume - I don't think someone that young would wear something quite so skanky smelling. It was not a perfume.
If you called into the hotel in the old days, with cheaper online rates, they would always match them, today you call and they have online issues and can't help you. When you booked direct with them, you got little perks - when I tried to tell them that I tried to book direct, they didn't care and some story about after Covid they changed their system, so I am no longer in there anymore. However when I was online, it still recognized me. I couldn't work out the truth but the bottom line is the reception team - didn't care.
I went to the bar/makeshift restaurant. There were no smiles, as there were in past, there were no personalities of people serving there - just boredom. I ordered a drink and a meal. I asked that my meal didn't get put into the system until after I finished my cocktail, I was greeted with a good hard look at the watch - it was 7:50 pm and the kitchen closed at 9:00 pm. So it was obvious that they wanted to make sure we didn't go one minute past kitchen closing time. I had the satay on recommendation. The chicken was delicious, the beef was yesterdays or the day before - tough, dry and the sauce had been sitting under a heat lamp so got that burnt dark brown look about it. I told them I would pay for half but not all of it because I couldn't eat the entire meal. The cucumber was the day before's it was dry and nothing attractive. Disappointing. Nothing like in the past.
At about 8:50 pm, the servers started walking around turning off lamps, just to make sure you were out as quickly as you could so they could go home - obviously their main priority.
In the old days there was someone at a piano playing - today, it's just piped music.
In the old days there was an air of sophistication about the hotel, the staff were proud of it, today that's sadly lacking. The doors, particularly service doors and even the doors to the rooms have chips and stains (and I mean seriously - it's terrible - check out the picture its just a small example) - this beautiful old hotel is not getting the TLC it deserves. It's just above a one star hotel these days.
Part 2 of 2 ---- I asked today about the magician's event - and was told that the signage for it was completely out-of-date - they no longer serve champagne and canapes, they serve nothing. The gentleman who performs doesn't do it on Friday and Saturday night - it alternates. The start time is wrong. And it's gone down from $110 or $130 to $50. They can't even be bothered to update the hotel entertainment ad which is a revolving TV screen and I was told it has been like that for some time.
So, sadly, The Sir Stamford is no longer a glance into the past with pride and elegance. It's just a run down old hotel that needs a LOT of TLC and paint and people who like to work, and want to work there.
The location is great however it's about the only saving grace.
For a few dollars more and a lot more light, friendly staff and a beautiful ambience you can go to the Intercontinental Hotel

Part 2 of 2 -
I asked today about the magician's event - and was told that the signage for it was completely out-of-date - they no longer serve champagne and canapes, they serve nothing. The gentleman who performs doesn't do it on Friday and Saturday night - it alternates. The start time is wrong. And it's gone down from $110 or $130 to $50. They can't even be bothered to update the hotel entertainment ad which is a revolving TV screen and I was told it has been like that for some time.

You can buy a room with breakfast added for about $50 extra but don't. The walk in rate is $39 and if you buy a ticket the day before its $32. The food is good, not the standard before where they had , for example real honey comb - and I literally mean a honey comb where you could get a jar of honey from - it was lovely. Today, it's good with a nice variety. The don't bother labeling everything, so there are some things that you need to try - one of them was a sad cake thing that was dry. The people who collect the plates, etc. are very professional and friendly. Sadly some of the managers just hang around people who have American accents because they know they will get a tip. I'm Australian and I live in America - and I do still give tips when i'm here and I gave mine to the people who collected the plates because they were pleasant, consistent and weren't money hungry and ignored the other guests. It was quite disgusting to watch the manager grovel for a few bucks.

So, sadly, The Sir Stamford is no longer a glance into the past with pride and elegance. It's just a run down old hotel that needs a LOT of TLC and paint and people who like to work, and want to work there.

The location is great however it's about the only saving grace.
For a few dollars more and a lot more light, friendly staff and a beautiful ambience you can go to the Intercontinental Hotel - literally within walking distance - they have two locations were you can drink and eat and they are open much later than the Sir Stamford and their staff don't look at their watches every five minutes to check that they get out of there before the kitchen closes. They actually enjoy their jobs and talking to their guests. They make you feel welcome.

I'm also a member there, and I truly regret not booking it. Next time.

Sir Stamford, you would roll over in your grave if you could see your hotel these days, and may you RIP.

We chose to stay at the Sir Stamford to celebrate my wife's 40th birthday, as it was the same hotel where we spent our honeymoon years ago. Initially, we had booked another hotel but decided to switch to Sir Stamford for the nostalgia and the excellent service we remembered from the past. Before booking, I called to confirm that the sauna and spa services were available, as these were important to us.

Unfortunately, upon arrival, we discovered that the sauna had been out of order for quite some time and the spa services were no longer offered, as the company managing them had left the hotel. This was extremely disappointing, and to make matters worse, the management and staff seemed completely indifferent to our concerns.

As a member, I received a complimentary upgrade to a suite, which was a nice gesture initially. However, the room had a window facing the pool, which became a significant issue. Guests in the pool could see directly into our room, and the blinds didn't fully close, compromising our privacy. On top of that, pool noise continued until 1 a.m. every night, with people talking loudly right outside our window. The manager claimed she had called me to offer a room change, but I received no calls or messages on my provided mobile. It's unreasonable to expect guests to remain in their non-private room all day waiting for such calls.

At breakfast, our coffees took over 30 minutes to arrive. Initially, they weren't charged due to the poor service, and I was honest enough to inform the staff at checkout. Instead of appreciating my honesty, the manager had the nerve to call me a liar and added the charge to our bill anyway, further souring the experience.

If you're considering a hotel in Circular Quay, I strongly recommend looking elsewhere. Don't be misled by Sir Stamford's outdated advertising - other high-quality hotels in the area provide far better service, privacy, and professionalism.

After staying here for 20 years or so, I found the room very disappointing on this occasion.
Certainly not as the promo photo indicates.
The common areas are still displayed nicely as always.
I can see that the sumptuous atmosphere in the room that I had has certainly gone.
The only plus is the location.

Customer service is excellent. Check in check out very quick. I asked if they could put champagne and flowers in room for our anniversary and they did a superb job. I was offered an upgrade to a king with a view and wow ! Great view, great room !
Would definitely stay here again