My husband and I will be spending a week in Sydney at either the Marriott or Renaissance next month. If anyone has any first-hand information on either of these two hotels, I would really appreciate having your comments on the matter. <BR> <BR>On the surface, it appears that the Renaissance is in a better location for most of the activities and transportation than the Marriott. Still, I have heard that the Marriott is quite a nice hotel. <BR> <BR>We need to make a decision very soon, please help us to make a somewhat intelligent one. <BR> <BR>Thanks, <BR> <BR>Maureen

Maureen, <BR>My husband and I stayed at the Marriott a number of years ago. Room was very nice, good view but location was not great. I thought it was a bit far from the 'touristy' sites. If the Renaissance is closer to The Rocks area, or closer to Darling Harbour, I'd go with the Renaissance. <BR>Kay

We stayed at the Marriott last November and it was a really nice hotel. For $33AU per room (we were 2 couples) we upgraded to concierge. For that we had a continental breakfast each morning on the concierge floor (cereal, fruits, cheeses, some cold cuts, sometimes hard boiled eggs, juice,etc), the waiter gave each of us a bottle of water for the day, then from 5:30pm to 7:30pm is cocktail hour. This included beer and wine, caesar salad, cheeses, fruit. it was great and we met some wonderful people. In fact it was there they convinced us to do the Bridge Climb. <BR>The hotel is across the street from Hyde Park which makes for wonderful walks. We walked to the Monorail to go to Darling Harbour, and it must have been a good 20 minute walk to Circular Quay. We did take a cab, twice back to the hotel when it was later in the day. <BR>Friends stayed at the Renaissance in February and said it was very nice too. Their room had a great view of Harbour Bridge (but we did not spend too much time in our room). We had walked past it once when walking from the Rocks to QVB for shopping. <BR>A lot depends on what you plan to do. Darling Harbour would still be a walk (I think) from the Renaissance. I know we met an Australian Travel Agent during one cocktail hour that swore by the Marriott. <BR>When we arrived at 8:30am, the Marriott did everything to get the room ready so that my the time we had breakfast and made some travel plans, 2 hours later, we were able to get in, shower and go out for the day. The breakfast/cocktail room is like on the 19th floor or so with a view of the Park and skyline of the city. If you are doing any day tours (we did Aussie Bush for Breakfast with the Kangaroos and Blue Mountains) they pick you up at your hotel. <BR> <BR>I am sure which ever one you choose will be good. It is a terrific city! <BR>Have a wonderful trip. <BR>

I will give this one more try, it would not take the first post. <BR>We stayed at the Marriott in November and it was great. We upgraded for $33AU per room for concierge and it included continental breakfast (cereal, fruits, cheeses, beverages), bottles of water each for the day, coctail hour (5:30-7:30pm) with beer, wine, caesar salad, fruits,etc) we skipped dinner the first night. We enjoy walking so we walked across Hyde park to the monorail for Darling Harbour and walked to Circular Quay. It was a wonderful hotel, when we arrived early the first morning (8:30am) they had the rooms for us in 2 hours. We met wonderful people at the cocktail/breakfast room which over looks the Park. A couple was an Austrailian travel agent which swore by the Marriott. <BR>Friends stayed at the renaissance in February which they liked very much, had a view of Harbour Bridge, you still have a fairly good walk to Darling but not the Rocks. <BR>Tours will pick you up at your hotel anyway. <BR>Either one is a great place, I am sure you will have a wonderful trip, Sydney is a great city.

Maureen, the Renaissance is located much closer to Circular Quay/Rocks area of the city. It is a good mostly business hotel, but I think would probably work very well for sightseeing. <BR>As the previous posters have stated the Mariott is also good, but is located quite a distance from the main 'touristy places'. Hope this helps.

Thanks very much Kay, Mary Ann, and Lynn. Your input was a real help! <BR> <BR>Maureen