I found the Harbour View online after looking for a serviced apartment with a view to stay for a week or so in Sydney. The view, as promised, did not fail to impress, and the close proximity to the McMahon's point ferry terminal was fantastically convenient - a perfect base from which to give Sydney a whirl. There are many excellent restaurants on Blue's Point road, a short walk away if you don't feel like catching the ferry, and a small if expensive corner store for the basics.

The hotel itself was a little disappointing - it was clean and well maintained, but quite dated. We had a top floor apartment with a view of Rose Bay, which was lovely. No harbour view rooms were available but the rate was better anyway. The room itself looked nothing like the website. The decor was disappointingly mid-80s and the kitchen was just old (though clean and maintained.) The pictures made me think I would be getting something more modern, and for that price, frankly, I would have expected something that had been brought up to date at some point. The bathroom was sterile and poky and looked like a hospital bathroom.

The staff we amazingly unhelpful, and with one exception, just plain unfriendly. I had emailed ahead to ask for advice on a few things (gyms nearby, availability of grocery store etc) and this was ignored even though I sent it to a couple of different addresses I had for the property. My boyfriend had the temerity to ask whether there was a drycleaner's nearby that might do a quick clean for us and was told 'you should not have left it this late.'

After accidentally locking ourselves out of our apartment one evening, the 'duty manager' took about 20 full minutes to answer the door to us (though how she could not have heard her dog barking continuously while we waited is beyond me.) On another occasion the 'after hours' number referred us to another number that was out of service. The expensive internet to our room only worked intermittently and front desk staff were no use at all. They unsmilingly answered queries from back at their desks while guests stood at the reception desk. They charged for laundry soap and the use of washing machines.

All in all, the only thing to recomend this property is the great view and location. The rooms were so-so, the service appalling. We will not return, though we enjoy telling our friends about the comically sour and unpleasant front desk staff.