Concierge.com's insider take:

Want your heart to leap? Spring for an opera-view room at the Four Seasons Sydney with an iconic vista of the Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House (room numbers ending in 14 are excellent; the higher up, the grander the panorama). It's a splurge at $600 or more, but you'll save on cab fare: The Four Seasons is located next to shops, restaurants, and the open-air Bridge Market. Also nearby: Circular Quay, the Rocks ferry, and the train to the airport. Renovated in early 2009, the 531 guest rooms are layered in rich fabrics and wall coverings in celadon and bronze, with a mix of contemporary and classic furnishings. The effect is that of a plush, sophisticated Sydney studio on the water. Mattresses are excellent and bedding lush. Environmental sensitivity came with the refurb—new systems minimize water use and energy consumption, invisibly to guests—and a skilled housekeeping team keeps the place gleaming. Typical Four Seasons service: The doorman dispenses cool bottled water on hot days. The spa is as good as you'd expect, but the weakest element is a smallish pool area within range of traffic sounds. The Four Seasons may be the quintessential five-star stay in Sydney, but nothing is perfect.—Lea Lane