Housed in a modern seven-story building, the Ibis Sydney King Street Wharf has a casual, friendly vibe. Common areas include a small lobby with a few red vinyl sofas and a rack of brochures on area attractions. A sectioned-off breakfast room is located off to one side of the lobby. Elevators lead up to the rooms. The hotel attracts plenty of leisure travelers, and while it doesn't have the facilities to host meetings or business events, it's a convenient and affordable choice for business travelers making a pitstop in central Sydney. The overall atmosphere is sleek and modern, though the property lacks amenities.

The Ibis is located in a commercial area, near office buildings and right by a supermarket and a few cafes. It's a two-minute walk from the King Street Wharf, from where visitors can catch ferries and tour boats.

It's about a 15-minute walk to the heart of the Central Business District, while the Australian Museum and Hyde Park are a 20-minute walk away. The Sydney Opera House takes about 10 minutes to reach by car, the Taronga Zoo is a 15-minute drive away without traffic, and Bondi Beach takes closer to 20 minutes. The Sydney Airport takes a minimum of 20 minutes by car (without traffic) and can also be reached by the Airport Line (T2), which stops at Wynyard Station, a 10-minute walk away. 

The Ibis has 91 rooms, all with air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs with cable, safes, electric kettles, and mini-fridges, as well as safes that are awkwardly placed at the bottom of closets. Room decor is simple, but sleeker than what's found in many of the budget chain's other Sydney properties, with dark hardwood floors, light-wood furniture (including glass-top desks), and stark white beds with olive-colored velvet throw cushions. Some wear may be visible and rooms can be quite small. Small bathrooms have walk-in showers, pedestal sinks, and a couple of shelves for storing the free basic toiletries provided to guests. Rooms with king, queen, and two twins are available, and some look out on the harbor (but others face the highway). Wi-Fi costs a steep fee.

A continental buffet breakfast is served daily in a sectioned-off breakfast room, but it's expensive (although there is a reduced rate for children). Wi-Fi is available for free in the lobby for a limited time, and there's an Internet kiosk guests can use, but there's a steep fee for in-room Wi-Fi. There's also a pricey fee for parking. Tours and babysitting services can be arranged through the front desk.