Paid
Children allowed

Facilities

Fitness facilities
WiFi available
Free WiFi
Parking
Non-smoking rooms
Air conditioning
Fitness center
Swimming pool
24-hour front desk
Restaurant
See all facilities

Review Highlights

Pros:
Friendly, helpful and professional staff (concierge, check-in/out)
Excellent central location near transport and attractions
Spacious, bright rooms and comfortable beds
Good breakfast/buffet variety and pleasant dining areas
Thoughtful gestures (e.g., anniversary bottle/treat)
Nice restaurants and bar on-site
Cons:
Cleanliness concerns: bites reported, hair in drain, unclean toilet, shower tiles needing scrubbing
Breakfast inclusion confusion and buffet replenishment issues; some restaurant staff unfriendly
Early check-in not accommodated despite request (room delayed)
Pool area small and underwhelming, no umbrellas
In-room Chromecast not working for at least one guest

Categories

Cleanliness
6
Multiple guests reported cleanliness issues: one guest woke with bites, another found hair in the bathtub drain, and there were notes of an unclean toilet and shower tiles needing scrubbing upon check-in.
Service
10
Service is a standout: frequent praise for polite, professional and helpful staff, concierge assistance, check-in/out counters and a thoughtful anniversary gesture. Some staff apologised when rooms were delayed, indicating attentive service overall.
Location
9.5
Location is consistently praised: central, close to light rail, ferry, Entertainment Centre, restaurants and attractions — convenient for sightseeing and events.
Room Quality
8
Rooms are often described as spacious, bright and comfortable (comfy beds), though some rooms showed minor maintenance/cleanliness wear (shower tiles, occasional toilet issues).
Amenities
7
Mixed amenities: dining and bar areas are spacious and family friendly, but the pool is small and underwhelming (no umbrellas), and in-room Chromecast failed for one guest.
Value for Money
6.5
Value perceptions vary; while breakfast and service justify cost for some, at least one guest felt the room quality did not match the price paid, stating it wasn’t worth what they paid.
Food and Beverage
8
Breakfast/buffet is generally well regarded for variety and quality, with standout moments; however multiple reports mention slow replenishment, dry pastries, occasional unfriendly restaurant staff and confusion over whether breakfast was included.
Overall Experience
9
Overall experience trends positive: many guests described wonderful stays, repeat visits, excellent staff interactions and memorable gestures, tempered by isolated cleanliness and breakfast service issues.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2026-11-05 14:12

Property Description

Premier Location
Located a stroll away from Sydney's dining and entertainment hub, Novotel Sydney Darling Harbour offers spacious rooms with city skyline views.

Luxurious Amenities
Enjoy a fitness centre, outdoor pool, tennis court, and complimentary 30 minutes of daily lobby WiFi. Indulge in modern rooms with flat-screen TVs and 24-hour room service.

The Ternary Restaurant
Experience relaxed sophistication at the Ternary Restaurant with its Grill Kitchen, Asian Kitchen, and Wine Bar offerings in an open-plan setting.

Book your stay at Novotel Sydney Darling Harbour to immerse yourself in luxury and convenience, steps away from Darling Harbour's top attractions and transport links.

Important information:

Please note, there is a 1.4% credit card surcharge when using a credit card.Please inform of your expected arrival time in advance. You can use the Special Requests box when booking, or contact the property directly using the contact details in your confirmation.
Guests are required to show a photo ID and credit card upon check-in. Please note that all Special Requests are subject to availability and additional charges may apply.
Guests under the age of 18 can only check in with a parent or official guardian.
A deposit may be required at the property.

Check-in and check-out hours:
Check-out: 11:00 AM
Airport code: SYD

Location

Guest Reviews

8
Based on 9856 reviews
Cleanliness: 6
Service: 10
Location: 9.5
Room Quality: 8
Amenities: 7
Value for Money: 6.5
Food and Beverage: 8
Overall Experience: 9
K
Kylie • couple • au
9
2026-10-29 • via Nuitee
J
Justine • couple • au
8
2026-10-29 • via Nuitee
D
Deb • family_with_children • au
9
Central location allowed us to discover the harbour sights
Pros:

Closeness to light rail and ferry

Cons:

On two occasions I was led to believe that breakfast was included in my booking. Even my daughter understood that breakfast was included for both days of stay. Very disappointed when informed no upon arrival at dining room

2026-10-29 • via Nuitee
B
Barbaro • couple • au
6
I stayed one night only to wake up with bites all over my face and upper body , I embarked on my cruise that day and had
Pros:

Property was amazing

Cons:

Everything was great except for the stay overnight

2026-10-28 • via Nuitee
C
Courtney • family_with_children • au
7
Pros:

Staff were polite and professional.
Room was spacious and clean.

Cons:

Early check in (30min-1hr only) was requested prior to our stay, however room wasn’t ready until after the check in time. We were given a key to the room around 4pm. Staff were apologetic ofcourse, however we were waiting for quite some time.

2026-10-28 • via Nuitee
L
Lux • couple • au
9
2026-10-28 • via Nuitee
M
Milagros • family_with_children • pe
8
2026-10-27 • via Nuitee
W
White • family_with_children • au
9
2026-10-27 • via Nuitee
M
MinxiiT • couple • au
9
Wonderful city stay
Pros:

Whilst our stay was brief, it was perfect. The staff at the check-in/out counters & the breakfast cashier were wonderful. The location was convenient to the Entertainment Centre, which is where we needed to be and also convenient to the many restaurants and activities in Darling Harbour.

Whilst we were out for lunch, the hotel thoughtfully brought up a bottle of sparkling & treat to our room for our wedding anniversary. Thank You so much, it was a lovely gesture.

The room itself was clean, spacious and bright. The only fleeting comment is that the city view (not the hotels fault) from our room/end of the hotel, is now hindered by a new high rise being built smack bang in the middle.. However looking toward the left or right, you are looking out at the city.

Our stay included breakfast and whilst the area was busy, there was enough of everything and a great hot and continental variety at the buffet.

2026-10-27 • via Nuitee
S
Sheree • family_with_children • au
10
Can’t wait to come back!
Pros:

Everything, thanks to the team for a wonderful experience! The buffet brekkie was amazing!

Cons:

Nothing to complain about here

2026-10-26 • via Nuitee
M
May • family_with_children • au
8
Good stay overall.
Pros:

Staff were very friendly and courteous. Location was easily accessible to TikTok arena and food venues. Convenient with the tram line close by.

Cons:

There was hair in the bathtub drain.
The breakfast restaurant could be better. Food was nice, but was not replenished quick enough. A lot of the offerings were almost all empty. The pastries was dry, not a great selection.
It should also be noted that you get expresso coffee included in the breakfast. I did not see this until I was walking out. The
restaurant staff should tell you this upon arrival.
Restaurant staff not the friendliest.

2026-10-26 • via Nuitee
P
PAT • solo_traveller • au
9
2026-10-26 • via Nuitee
C
Cheryl • family_with_children • au
10
Pros:

The friendliest staff. Fantastic location. Comfy bed. Fabulous restaurants and bar. Loved the cocktails.

2026-10-26 • via Nuitee
S
Suzi • extended_group • au
10
2026-10-26 • via Nuitee
K
Kelly • solo_traveller • au
7
2026-10-26 • via Nuitee
L
Liza • family_with_children • au
8
2026-10-25 • via Nuitee
S
Shaheen • couple • gb
8
2026-10-25 • via Nuitee
J
Jennifer • family_with_children • au
7
Pleasant but not worth what we paid
Pros:

The staff on check in and departure were lovely. The concierge were very helpful & knowledgable. Best of all were the breakfast staff, run off their feet every morning we were there (as short staffed) but still smiley and welcoming, food selection was unbelievable and worth the expense. Room was ok but not worth what we paid (even in off peak rates) - bathroom shower tiles needed a scrub in the shower, toilet wasn’t clean when we checked into the room.

Cons:

The pool area looks better online but it did not deliver in size or location - it’s a really small area & not on the roof. No umbrellas. Could’ve made it a little more atmospheric.

2026-10-25 • via Nuitee
B
Brad • family_with_children • au
8
2026-10-25 • via Nuitee
H
Huynh • family_with_children • au
6
Pros:

Relaxing

Cons:

Chrome cast did not work so couldn't have movie night with my daughter

2026-10-25 • via Nuitee