The hotel is a shadow of its former glory. When opened this hotel was romantic, great service, exceptional quality and classy. I understand some 20 odd years later it's older but it doesn't have to be as bad as it is. Because I travel a fair bit you can see the tell tale signs of a property giving the owners an unsustainable declining return which crushes their motivation while they consider what to do next.

I've learned how to get the best out of staff. They come across as bothered by you but a couple of polite words etc changes this. I booked via Qantas app and paid for a better corner room and instead got something different. I raised this and was upgraded to their best room so no complaints there. The room was fine, clean and well appointed. No complaints there but the minibar had not been restocked so I took and photo and raised it immediately to avoid over charging.

The parking is cheap but near a building site so my sports car was covered in dust from metro night works. The app didn't work properly so we had to work around it.

Speaking of apps, the service pushes you to online because lower end hotels who don't pay for enough decent staff want you to not interact with them. I couldn't use the check in kiosk and I was getting many "check out" text etc within 1 hr of checking in. Great welcome.

The restaurants were all shut, the downstairs sports bar is like sitting in a stainless steel TAB that they hose out each night. That's your dining option. The beer was flat and replaced but with not compensation. The food was greasy fried.

I had a great meal at Rydges many years ago but it looks like all those areas are now boarded up.

They don't run the AC in common areas (to scrape pennies to save money) meaning you feel humid when you leave your room.

The breakfast was included in my rate but they like to think it's worth $50 and then discount to around $20 at check in. Save your money and get Maccas drive through. The quality and range is poor.

Thing is, Rydges experience is not uncommon. We get what we are prepared to pay for these days and that doesn't seem to be much. Problem is when they target people prepared to pay more they just end up disappointing them and getting reviews like this.

It's a Meriton type of experience at best with basic / minimal amenities. Except it's a tired and old one at that. It's sad really, was such a great hotel in its day. I wished I had read more reviews other than my Qantas booking app which has been letting me down so much lately with experiences like this... you get no more than what you pay for and it should probably be a little less again. Next time I will stay somewhere else

Edit: A typical response from any organisation that doesn't take the time to acknowledge the content of your review. I don't believe they will do anything with the feedback as it wasn't unique to other recent feedback. Why bother posting a reply?! Any organisation that actually cared would a) acknowledge the short comings raised individually and b) has my details so could reach out to me for more personalised engagement but these guys have no idea and have simply given up trying I suspect. All the best!

Christmas Day lunch 2023... Disaster!!! Don't ever book with Rydges Parramatta. We paid $200 pp for an Elegant Lunch and it was the worse ever. Advertised we would get oysters... no oysters. Even after we asked many times. Lunch started at 12:30pm, we arrived at 12:35pm... the hotel told us they run out!!! Not good enough. Had to ask 4 times for more prawns... not good enough. Was served 1 small bowl of hot seafood for a table of 8... needed to ask if that was all we were allowed. Never replenished any cheeses or meats... the WORSE Christmas lunch you could imagine. Not exactly cheap either. Hotel offered a discount if we dine with them again... ah no thanks. I would avoid this place as you don't get what they advertise... very disappointed. Both my daughters work for Accor and IHG and said they were shocked that the hotel wasn't that concerned about my complaint. Obviously don't rely on repeat customers. Avoid Christmas lunch at all costs... it will ruin your day.

WORST HOTEL EVER! stayed here last year and still not over this night and since no one from head office has gotten back to me ill leave my review here

Stayed end of 2022, covid was still happening and also i can understand some under staffing it was disturbing that they could risk our safety with how little staff there was.

I stayed here as a family member has covid and i could go home and was 8 months pregnant. its ironic that from the moment i walked in the facility was filthy and i knew i would get terribly sick. my room was dirty they had to reclean it. the pool area was disgusting and mouldy.

i gave them a chance to stay but at 6pm a fire alarm rang out with my children in the shower, i had to rush them out only for them to know and my door and they said it was a false alarm. then again i finally calmed the kids down that were panicked and got them to sleep by 9pm. they normally sleep 7 but were so freaked out it took me extra 2 hours! then at 9 pm the alarm when off again and took another 45mins for the fire warden to turn it off. when I called head office they said if I left now I would not be given a refund. You forced me into being your hostage. so we tried to sleep... again alarms at 4 am ... 6:30 am all taking 30-45 MINS to switch off. (I have recordings of times) by the last alarm at 10am with soothing my screaming children and 0 sleep and being 8 months pregnant. i had a panic attack and was struggling to calm down i called down for assistance and instead of giving me a paper bag to breathe into and giving me 5 mins to calm down. They called the ambulance which has now stuck me with a $350 bill just to give me basic first aid which their staff should have done!

So not I am down the cost of the stay as again I begged for them to let me leave and they wouldn't then I am also down an ambulance fee! I will never stay at Rydges anywhere until i am reimbursed

I recently had the misfortune of staying at The Rydges hotel in Parramatta and my experience was nothing short of a disaster. From the moment I checked in, it became evident that this establishment lacks even the most basic standards of hospitality.

First and foremost, the service was shockingly rude and unprofessional especially the male staff member in reception who was terrible. He seemed disinterested and indifferent to guest needs, making the overall atmosphere unwelcoming. Any attempts to address concerns were met with dismissive attitudes, leaving me frustrated and dissatisfied.

Now, let's talk about the amenities - or lack thereof. The absence of hot water was a major inconvenience, turning what should have been a relaxing shower into a chilly ordeal. To make matters worse, the television in my room was non-functional, robbing me of any entertainment during my stay.

The presence of cockroaches and bugs in the room was not only unsightly but also a severe hygiene concern. It was clear that the cleanliness of the rooms was severely lacking, with dirty towels, blankets, and pillows providing a disturbing backdrop to an already unpleasant environment.

Safety was another major issue. The windows on the top floor were wide open, posing a significant risk to anyone unaware of the potential danger. This negligence on the hotel's part is not only irresponsible but also raises serious concerns about guest safety.

Parking at The Rydges came with a hefty price tag, and to my dismay, the facilities were far from satisfactory. The parking area was not only expensive but also dirty and poorly maintained, further adding to the overall disappointment.

The WiFi, touted as a basic amenity, was consistently unreliable and frustratingly slow. For a hotel that charges a premium for its services, this level of incompetence is simply unacceptable.

To add insult to injury, the meals at the hotel's restaurant were overpriced, leaving a bitter taste in my mouth - both figuratively and literally. The exorbitant prices did not align with the quality of the food or the overall dining experience.

My stay was an absolute nightmare. The combination of rude service, lack of basic amenities, cleanliness issues, safety concerns, and overpriced facilities makes this hotel a place to be avoided at all costs. I would strongly advise potential guests to steer clear and choose accommodations that prioritize customer satisfaction and uphold the standards expected from a reputable establishment.

We stayed here for 3 nights. Unfortunately the line to our phone was not working so my husband had to order room service by going down to reception. The Fridge didn't work so a new fridge had to be installed. The TV didn't work. The friendly reception lady was very accommodating and took us to another room later. Parking option is very handy.

Great place to stay, very warm and welcoming team members, the room was simple but clean and fresh (super comfy bed!!) Great location too, short 15 minute walk to the large Westfield and train station or buses to and from right out front and was easy as. It may be a four star hotel but the staff here treat you like 5 stars. I would have no hesitation about coming back here.

We booked this hotel on Expedia but we didn't get to hotel till after 11pm due to flight changes. The hotel marked our reservation as no show and told us we didn't have a reservation when we showed up. The front desk reception was friendly and professional. She was so kind to us after a long day and was able to find our reservation. Wish we didn't get a the handicap room due to shower water going everywhere but it was a nice room with comfy bed. The breakfast is very nice but has limited if no vegan options. Coffee bar was excellent. The hotel is a 25 min cab ride with average Uber $70-90.

Edit-this was not a last minute booking. We booked this hotel several months in advanced and we're very frustrated they did not have our reservation when we arrived from a long flight delay. Please see the owners comment below and confirm your booking if you use Expedia because hotel may 'lose' it.

We enjoyed staying at Rydges Parramatta.
We have stayed here several times when we are going to see concerts at Olympic Park or visit family in the area. They treat all their customers fairly and respectfully and go above and beyond for their regulars. They recently upgraded us to their penthouse suite for our anniversary. Highly recommend this hotel.

As with all Rydges properties I've stayed at the room was lovely, the staff were very accommodating and the location was incredibly useful for my needs.

I found everything clean and tidy. The food was lovely, the hotel breakfast was well stocked, but standard fare.

I will say that it seems that the hospitality areas did seem a little understaffed. Not a major disruption but noticeable that the staff seemed a little stressed, which was disappointing.

I'd be very happy to stay here again.

Good room, enough space.
I loved the bed and space in the room.
*areas for improvement*
Large lamps in the corner didn't work after checking power sources and bulbs.
Sound coming from external windows can impede the quietness of the room. It looks to be a sealing issue.
I needed all 4 little milk containers for just 1 coffee, which was a real shame.
Carpet from exiting bathrooms could pose a slip hazard without shoes on. Due to being on a decline, the carpet was not slip resistant.

The room was fine. Staff were friendly. Unfortunately that's about all the positives. I paid for the breakfast option but when I got there I was asked if I wanted to pay for it again. I assumed that meant that I must have not got the option by mistake but when I worked out how much I paid per night I realised I did pay for it and just didn't get it. No information in the room about hotel services so who knows what else I could have missed out on. Ordered room service and 2 days later the tray was still in my room. Right near a busy road and not much else. Definitely wouldn't stay here again and will be warning my workmates to avoid too.

Can't attest to the standard of the rooms as we were only attending a function, not staying in the hotel. Very impressive as a function venue, although did find the food a little pretentious and sparing. Also, found the temperature setting for the air-conditioning was a little too cool especially walking inside from a 36� day.

Stayed in Rydges Paramatta for 8 nights, one of the longest ever in a hotel I have ever stayed. It happened to be a great one. Started on a Christmas evening, so the first breakfast was on a Christmas. The tables were beautifully made with Christmas theme, we loved it. Buffet breakfast was good, variety of options to choose. Check-in and check-out were easy with no hassle. We had breakfast included, the menu was good and the service was good as well. Room was refreshed daily, we had option to go green by not opting to room service one day, to compensate it, they used to give us a $10 service offer which you could use on food and other services. It was a good option for us, as some days we didn't really need a room service. The room was spacious and good. There was free parking within the compound, and with additional charge closed parking was also available. Overall, a goo d stay here.

The hotel was simple but nice. Rooms a little old. Hotel itself quite nice. The service was excellent. The restaurant manger was lovely when he found out we were driving back to Melbourne and the hot breakfast was not ready. He went over and beyond to make sure we left happy and feed.

I stayed at this hotel for work. Very friendly staff at checkin. However I could hear all the traffic from the busy road in the room. I had a meal at the hotel restaurant and chose the steak fillet with triple cooked chips. This is where everything went down hill. The steak tasted and looked like it had been defrosted and cooked (dare I even say thawed in the microwave) and the chips resembled supermarket frozen chips. So the second night I decided to eat elsewhere.

I was amazed to walk in and see no reception desk just three computer screens to self check in. Fortunately a lovely lady came out to help and did it for me quickly. The lobby etc was very clean and tidy. The rooms are another story. Although clean and tidy they certainly are dated and well worn. The ceiling had obviously been flooded but the repairs were terrible. The room needed fresh paint and a deep clean. We went down to the bar for a drink and some food which was outside and very good. Nice staff. Breakfast the next morning was a very busy buffet and a wait for everything. I think they were understaffed and so things needed replenishment. It was good though. An inside pool and small gym if needed. Nice friendly check out by 3 staff just standing talking but I think you just leave your key and go. Forgot to mention, the best shower ever. Really powerful and hot.

Stayed here after the races on a Saturday night, we were lucky enough to score an earlier check in which we were grateful for. We were on the 3rd floor facing the road the road noise was fine, however, the noise from the outside bar was UNACCEPTABLE. the music permeated the whole room well into the evening. Having never stayed here before I was unaware of the exterior (marquee) bar. A warning to guests staying would have been appreciated. It's literally impossible to go to sleep until the bar closes. Not great when you've had a big day and just want to retreat to a quiet room. Having said all that, the staff were pleasant and capable, the rooms are dated but serve their purpose, the location is excellent for the racecourse. The food in Champs was a bit blah for the prices. $45 steak was tough unfortunately. We also splashed out on the mini bar which was adequate. The shame of our experience was we probably wouldn't return. The music escalating through the night was unpleasant (and I like a dance and a drink as much as the next person.) I feel Rydges has decided to cash in on the passing parade from the races by catering to the party goers looking for somewhere to drink at the expense of the patrons who are actually shelling out to eat, drink and stay. It's a pity.

There aren't many positives to this hotel. I have stayed here many times for work, each time expecting an improvement (insanity I know).
The rooms are dirty with greasy hand prints on the walls, splashes and general grime around the bathroom walls. There are dribbles of what looks like coffee and toothpaste down the fronts of the vanities. The edges of the carpet look like they have never seen a crevice tool and I would hate to see under the bed.
The walls in the rooms are paper thin so say goodnight to a sound sleep if you have chatty people in the room next door.
Room service is quick but the meals are average. The breakfast buffet has much on offer but the best bit about it is the barista made coffee they charge extra for.
Having said all that, the staff a lovely! Friendly and helpful and the meals in Champs restaurants are delicious.

Garlic bread for $16! 40 minutes later 4 x pieces of overcooked bread came out. Manager told me that I was overcharged but it's clearly written on the menu at that price 🤷🏿 Previous guest hair on my pillow. Lamp in the room didn't work. Lifts didn't work so had to use service lift which is fine - but it was in pretty ordinary condition, granted it wasn't built for public use. (No access to my room via stairs was awkward). Good location but these smaller things really soured my stay

I'd not recommend this hotel, even for someone attending a conference at the racecourse function centre across the road.
The check-in and check-out procedures were self-service, which I hated and it seems everyone else felt the same. There's one concierge who was spending all their time helping people with check-in/check-out procedures. Self-serve is not good customer service.
The room was not particularly great and the bed was DREADFUL. It was supposed to be king-sized, but in reality was two narrow beds with the mattresses joined together with a strip of Velcro. That meant there was only two narrow strips of mattress either side of the centre that could be comfortably lain on.
I felt un-safe because of a connecting door between my room and the next, so I pushed a coffee table in front of the door to prevent unwanted accidental intruders in the middle of the night.
I was woken up in the early hours of the morning (3am or so) both nights by the person in the next room talking on the phone. The sound insulation between the rooms was so poor I could hear both sides of the phone conversation!
A colleague was unlucky to be assigned a room that faced onto James Ruse Drive, which was a busy six lane road and EXTREMELY noisy so she had a lot of trouble sleeping.

Attended a 1 day workshop at this place. Room was spacious and had all the facilities for a group of 30 people. Parking was easy and lunch was not too great.
Did not stay in the room so not able to comment.

My room was freezing, staff were happy to switch rooms. The accommodation was fine, it was just a room, absolutely no facilities if you want to eat food in your room, unless all you need is a teaspoon and coffee cup. Good location short drive to everything in Parramatta.

Loved staying here. Rooms were very clean, bed was comfy, and staff were friendly and helpful.
Food at the restaurant was delicious and our waitress was brilliant

Staff were amazing and friendly. The moment I checked in to check out every staff member was helpful friendly. The restaurant food was delicious the service was excellent and the room was clean and spacious. I will definitely stay again.

Very helpful reception staff and no dramas after entering late night also.. offering free parking is big advantage I think in Sydney...

The service and hotel are both amazing. The room is spacious and worth the money. We just had an issue with the bed sheets, they were too noisy while you moved in bed or anything. That required some getting used to.

Last time I had my card skimmed and bank sorted that. This time they would not accept work credit card as pre arranged, had to pay myself. No choice but to pay for room service or sit on bar full off TAB players for a meal. Food was good.Bed, superb. THEN, no towels. Ran late for course I was attending. Shame as it seems it could be excellent.

I have been in the industry many years, and have never experienced a hotel with such high standards across the board. Spotless room, delicious in room dining, excellent facilities and best of all the service. From the warm welcome and check in, to the polite phone service with no request too small, every single staff member during my stay was outstanding and went above and beyond. They have truly made this stay a positive experience. The room itself is a cut above the rest in the local area, and this hotel presents more as a 5-star hotel. All the small details were well thought out creating a seamless guest experience. I will certainly be staying here again.

A nice staycation spot! Love the indoor jacuzzi and heated pool as well as the sauna and Turkish bath. Free parking too! Views from the rooms at level 6 towards either Parramatta skyline or towards the city.

Nice hotel. Great staff. Called me a day later to return my phone charger. Unfortunately breakfast under COVID took over half an hour. But breakfast was nice and the staff were trying hard.

Nice place. Have been a ciuple of time there for function events. Nice service. Small parking place. Good food.

The customer service was exceptional! Everything from the receptionist staff, to the lady at the restaurant. Breakfast was delicious, My kids had nice showers (loved how high pressure they were) the room was very clean, pools were clean and the sauna was so relaxing! Thank you for making our trip memorable- wont look anywhere else in Sydney for a hotel, we will be staying here again!

Not sure why it came up as 1 star. Your service was 5 Stars