As we drove into the city for our first Sugar Hit of the month with tastebuds Lisa and Andrew, we joked how the Intercontinental was one of those Sydney hotels only popular with business travellers, celebrities and American dignitaries – including one George W. Bush. It’s expensive for one, easy to miss for another and there’s no real personality to the place.

Once we stepped inside the hotel, we sheepishly ate our words.

The Cortile, though only a lobby lounge was impressive in its own quiet way. The hanging light features and sandstone arcades brought a real sense of elegance and drama. You can’t say that about many lobby lounges!

Not long after we sat down, our dessert arrived. It was a triple chocolate gateau with homemade amarena cherry, orange honeycomb and a Bailey’s macaron. This dessert was full on – rich, heavy and sweet. We could only afford a few bites each, before pushing the plate away to seek refuge in the accompanying glass of Brown Brothers Orange Muscat & Flora, which was light and refreshing.

We were deeply disappointed with the macarons, which must’ve been made well in advance as they had lost their freshness. The shell was dry and unforgiving, nothing like the fluffy soft macarons we expected.

Yet the biggest slap in the face was paying $7 for a very average cup of coffee. In fact, half the coffee was foam – I paid $7 for half a cup of coffee and air!

I can’t say I had the best experience with this Sugar Hit, though other bloggers have raved about the Sugar Hit here. Tread with caution is my advice!

Cortile Lounge
InterContinental Sydney
117 Macquarie Street
Sydney NSW 2000
# 02 9240 1396
www.sydney.intercontinental.com