Expert reviews
“Towering above Walsh Bay from its prime position alongside the Sydney Harbour Bridge, this sleek hotel is the place for a room with a bird’s-eye view. North-facing rooms overlooking the water are the best.”
Featured as Fodor’s Choice in Sydney.
“Many hotels along Sydney’s harbor feature views of their spectacular surroundings, but none quite like Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney. Towering 36 stories above Sydney Harbour, the Shangri-La stands alone in the city for the highest unobstructed views, boasting the largest windows of any harbor-facing hotel.”
“A modern Asian style focused on the Oriental blossom ties things together. A nice touch, but nothing tops sitting in your room and staring at the Opera House and Harbour Bridge.”
“The Shangri-La distinguishes itself among the cluster of five-star chain hotels in Sydney’s Circular Quay, with its famous Level 36 bar and restaurant – one of the best spots in town for a drink or a meal with a view. All the rooms feature harbour views from enormous windows and have cosy window-seats.”
What guests liked
- Amazing views
- Great rooms
- Friendly staff
- Excellent Wifi
- Great location
- Comfortable beds
All you need to know
Shangri-La Hotel is situated at 176 Cumberland Street in the Central Business District of Sydney where it offers the best in hospitality amenities and facilities to tourists and travelers looking to enjoy the best of Sydney. The hotel is strategically located close to the city financial, economic and entertainment hub which will make sure guests get the unique adventure they desire.
The hotel is rated five-star for its quality services, and it also offers excellent views of iconic places such as Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House.
The Shangri La Hotel offers luxury and stylish room options such as Executive Grand Harbour Twin, The Rocks Suite with Club Lounge Access, Premier Grand Harbour King, Executive Grand Harbour King and Deluxe Grand Harbour King. The hotel features room options with lounge access such as the Horizon Darling Harbour King with Club Lounge Access, Horizon Opera House City with Club Lounge Access and Executive Grand Harbour Suite with Club Lounge Access.
The hotel is about a 5-minute walk away from the Sydney Opera House while the Museum of Contemporary Art is about 300 m away from the hotel.
The rooms in the hotel are fitted with standard amenities such as free Wi-Fi for high-speed internet access, a flat-screen TV with cable channels, a minibar, air conditioning and a comfy bed.
The hotel provides other services, facilities, and amenities such as concierge services, luggage storage, 24-hour front desk, airport shuttle, daily maid service and room service.
Hotel deals & lowest price guarantee
We partner with Booking.com and Agoda. Both booking websites offer the lowest price guarantee so you can be certain you will always get the best deal for this hotel. If you have seen a better price elsewhere, all you need to do is contact the booking website and they will refund you the difference immediately. You can price match right up until the day before check-in.
Location
Recent guest reviews
7 February 2026
Amazing Stay Great Location
Location so Amazing & staffs really nice & Helpful.
7 February 2026
Great stay for a couple of days within easy walking distance of everything
Great location and very attentive staff
7 February 2026
Lovely views of the Opra House
Great views from a comfortable room, two large single beds which we slept in very well. Colin the concierge was the star of the show, so helpful throughout our stay.
They had no bath robes for the quests, also for a lovely hotel to try and get a few extra dollars by selling crisps and drinks out of a fridge brought down our estimation of the Hotel, we paid top dollar for a lovely room and these two things just spoiled our stay it a bit.
6 February 2026
Exceptional
The view is amazing
A little dated in its decor
6 February 2026
Fabulous
Great staff, great views, good location
Rooftop bar was always busy
6 February 2026
Very good
Amazing location
Pool area ..lots of kids and cold water
6 February 2026
Super hotel, well looked after, great tourist location, would recommend.
Room was really super. Probably the most comfortable bed have ever slept in! Great location for tourist stuff. Swimming pool and gym facilities excellent. Couldn’t believe had whole pool to myself - bliss! Staff all very friendly and helpful.
Extremely slow service in the bar on our first evening - enough staff? I don’t understand hotels who display “green” notices about hanging up towels if you’re ok to use them again - but then ignore what you do to comply! We had 3 days of clean towels, which is obviously very nice, but extremely unnecessary.
6 February 2026
Amazing views, central location.
The room was great, the view was amazing! I would have liked a bit more of a rundown of how we can get higher, we were on the 8th floor. I don’t know what we would have been if I had not of paid for the upgrade.
We could not get into the room until well past 3pm. I did ask for an early check-in if possible so I understand that it may not have been ready. It was 37 that day we walked around the city and really wanted to have a shower. We tried to go to the restaurant on top of the building but were turned away because of what we were wearing. I would have liked a bit more of an explanation of where we could have gone to freshen up and get changed.
6 February 2026
Very very enjoyable from start to finish.
All of it mostly
The mini bar fridge was very grubby on the outside which was disappointing. I expected a higher standard from the Shanghai-la maybe I’m too fussy
5 February 2026
Great location, friendly staff and stunning view
Great location, friendly staff and stunning view.
5 February 2026
A two day wedding night. Bliss
Lush
5 February 2026
Exceptional
Amazing high floor room as requested with the perfect harbour view , our room was simply very luxurious , every small detail This is the BEST hotel in the world we have ever stayed in The staff are exceptional , every single member !!!! So so kind , polite and professional ! John greeted us and we will never forget him , what an asset to your hotel
Nothing
5 February 2026
Friendly staff, clean room
Room, facilities and staff, bed was comfy
Location on a steep hill - difficult to walk to with bags
4 February 2026
Lives up to its Shangri-la fame
Our room had a great view of the Sydney Opera what more could you ask. We enjoyed the 36th floor bar and staff were helpful. Close to restaurants, transportation, wharf, entertainment, shopping.
The toilet was low, felt like it's for a child. I prefer a more crisp and modern design so I feel like our room needs a more refreshed vibe, it's a bit traditional. (NOT the hotel's fault) Hotel was located top of the hill, it's a pain walking up:(
3 February 2026
Perfect location with lots of space. Highly recommend.
Fantastic location near The Rocks, Circular Quay and the CBD. Quiet (no traffic noise), very spacious room and great views.
Gym isn't huge but that wasn't a priority for us.
3 February 2026
Very pleasant stay and will return
Room was spaciousness clean overlooking Harbour Bridge and Opera House. Good amenities and staff were accommodating
Nothing
3 February 2026
Fabulous
Location, staff, breakfast
Was on too low floor would have liked a higher floor to get a better view
2 February 2026
An absolutely delightful stay - immaculate service
From the bell staff to the front desk staff Everyone was a delight!!! The facilities were pleasant and the spa experience was sensational!!
I was however a little unclear regarding charges to rooms and parking as no receipt was provided Sone of the fittings were a little dated and worn out
2 February 2026
Great hotel in a fabulous location
Fabulous location right by Sydney Harbour bridge and Circular Quay. Large comfortable room.
Club Horizon was good but staff could have been better organised
2 February 2026
Luxury stay
Very high end luxe
Hard to fault
2 February 2026
Excellent service and location.
We were given a bottle of complimentary wine after arrival when we mentioned that it was our anniversary.
2 February 2026
Exceptional
Fabulous views over the harbour and Opera House. Perfect to watch Australia Day’s celebrations
2 February 2026
Exceptional
Perfect location for our trips Clean , comfortable and friendly staff
1 February 2026
Our stay was more than we expected.
Exceptional room with fantastic views. We both loved our stay. A bonus was watching the Australia Day celebration on the harbour from our room.
Nothing. To stay longer
31 January 2026
Excellent location and staff were really helpful.also the gym was great had plenty of equipment. Everything you need .
Location and views
It was all perfect
31 January 2026
Enjoyed it would return but I need to book it with breakfast
Location
I booked two rooms one for my self one for my brother and his wife there’s had breakfast included mine didn’t . I understand the single occupancy for the room but my bill was the same as my brothers and they had breakfast for two
31 January 2026
Exceptional
Just fabulous, exceptional staff, exceptional views
30 January 2026
Everyone was so friendly
Comfortable,friendly staff,good location,clean environment
Opera house and Sydney bridge view
29 January 2026
Exceptional
The food was amazing and the view was breathtaking. Staff were attentive and helpful.
Nil
29 January 2026
Fabulous
I paid for upgrade of room w early check in. Perfect choice. I got to rest before going out.
The restaurant at the lounge has a very limited menu. Didn’t quite feel like a restaurant lounge.
29 January 2026
Exceptional
Big rooms great staff
Nil
29 January 2026
Fabulous location. Beautiful Opera house views. Very central to Circular Quay.
N/a
29 January 2026
Some of Sydney’s best views. Staff very helpful. Could improve with little extras to make it that little bit more specia
Amazing views from the rooftop bar
Not sure about the shampoo, body lotion hand wash brand. Unimpressed.
28 January 2026
Excellent break in the city with fabulous views and easy access to the bridge and opera house
The view was fantastic
NA
28 January 2026
Stay was too short, Customer service from the team and in particular Lo at check in was outstanding
King Sized bed, and a room View that overlooked the Harbour and Opera House.
28 January 2026
Iconic views
The view from the room really was a highlight, incredible view of the harbour. The facilities were amazing and the bathroom especially was beautiful. The staff were exceptionally helpful and friendly, particularly the bell team and the breakfast staff.
Found the check in process to be a little hectic and rushed, we weren't given much information about basic things like breakfast which we had prepaid for and had to go back to ask later which was a very slow queue.
28 January 2026
Marvellous place to enjoy New Years Eve
Wonderful position
Nothing
28 January 2026
Enjoyed our stay
Location and service
Wrongly delivered someone else’s dessert to our room. And staff was annoyed because we had opened it and they could not deliver it to the correct room.
28 January 2026
Shangri-La, the best of everything.
Service - the large, African lady who greeted us on arrival and walked us to the lift completely set the tone for our wonderful stay. Views the best, food world class.
Room not ready for nearly 2 hours after check-in - tje $50 discount was not an acceptable compensation, disappointing and never experienced this at any other 5 star hotel around the world.
28 January 2026
Exceptional
Great place, views exceptional as were staff.
Coffee unbelievably expensive. I feel Coffee should be free or at least a reasonable cost to paying guests.
27 January 2026
Clean spacious room breakfast over priced
Spacious well equipped room, very clean and well maintained; large wardrobe and plenty of storage which was not the norm in the other hotels we stayed in. Staff all helpful and friendly.
Breakfast was poor value, we only had it once, it was 62 Australian Dollars each, unripe fruit, poor bread selection and generally not good value.
27 January 2026
Starting to feel like our holiday home away from home!
Our room for this stay was 3305 facing west. We enjoyed our stay and as always the bed and room were excellent. We enjoy watching the sun set to the west and value the different curtain options at the window. It was special to be there for Australia Day and we loved the view from the Horizon Club area! It was also lovely to see Rose in the Club room as she always remembers us when we go and has been there for many years now.
There is nothing we could say to criticise our stay.
27 January 2026
Exceptional
We had a brilliant stay. We had family visiting from the UK and chose Shangri La based on previous stays, as well as its location, being Australia Day. We were all impressed with the hotel and staff, and the breakfast experience and options were better than anywhere weve stayed. 100%.
27 January 2026
Cannot wait to come back!
Everything! This has been the best hotel we have ever stayed in! Thank you to the amazing staff who looked after us.
The pool wasnt heated.
27 January 2026
it was ok
the size of the room
low level floor. mattress was hard and pillows were the worst, too soft
26 January 2026
Loved the location but $10 extra on top of room delivery charges is a bit excessive
View from Room was excellent
The over the top prices for room delivery and costs of cocktails in Blu Bar
26 January 2026
Exceptional
Staff were extremely helpful and friendly, service was very efficient, view was amazing.
Have room ready at check in time, our rooms was an hour late
26 January 2026
Had a wonderful time and would definitely stay again.
Great location, the room was very comfortable and the staff were friendly and helpful.
N/A
25 January 2026
Exceptional
Great location, beautiful view, staff where all lovely and courteous!
Hotel facilities
Food & Drink
- - Restaurant
- - Bar
- - Breakfast in the room
- - Special diet menus (on request)
- - Kids' meals (additional charge)
- - Wine/champagne (additional charge)
- - Fruits (additional charge)
General
- - Room service
- - Non-smoking rooms
- - Facilities for disabled guests
- - Family rooms
- - Lift
- - Soundproof rooms
- - Packed lunches
- - Car hire
- - Heating
- - Non-smoking throughout
- - Air conditioning
- - Designated smoking area
Business facilities
- - Meeting/banquet facilities (additional charge)
- - Fax/photocopying (additional charge)
Reception services
- - 24-hour front desk
- - Express check-in/check-out
- - Currency exchange
- - Tour desk
- - Luggage storage
- - ATM/cash machine on site
- - Concierge service
- - Private check-in/check-out
- - Invoice provided
Activities
- - Sauna
- - Fitness centre
- - Spa and wellness centre (additional charge)
- - Massage (additional charge)
- - Hot tub/Jacuzzi
- - Indoor pool
- - Indoor pool (all year)
- - Beauty Services
- - Facial treatments
- - Body treatments
- - Body scrub
- - Body wrap
- - Spa facilities
- - Steam room
- - Spa lounge/relaxation area
- - Foot bath
- - Spa/wellness packages
- - Couples massage
- - Full body massage
- - Fitness
- - Fitness/spa locker rooms
Outdoors
- - Terrace
- - Sun terrace
- - Outdoor furniture
Entertainment & family services
- - Babysitting/child services (additional charge)
- - Strollers
Cleaning services
- - Laundry (additional charge)
- - Dry cleaning (additional charge)
- - Ironing service (additional charge)
- - Trouser press (additional charge)
- - Daily housekeeping
Parking
- - Parking garage
Accessibility
- - Wheelchair accessible
- - Toilet with grab rails
Pool and wellness
- - Heated pool
- - Swimming pool
- - Swimming pool
Miscellaneous
- - 24-hour security
- - Key card access
- - Security alarm
- - Smoke alarms
- - CCTV in common areas
- - CCTV outside property
- - Fire extinguishers
- - Delivered food is securely covered
- - Access to health care professionals
- - Face masks for guests available

More photos

8 February 2026
Amazing