Mercure Sydney Potts Point

While the Mercure is a business hotel, its location near the city center and public transportation options make it a good choice for tourists who don't mind the sterile chain-hotel atmosphere. From the outside, the Mercure Sydney Potts Point resembles an office building, and its corporate ambience continues in the common areas. Guests pass through a hallway -- bright pink on one side, and black-and-white faux mosaic pattern on the other --  to reach the main bank of elevators, which connect the entrance to the reception area two floors above. Thee front desk area has a slightly more relaxed vibe, with cream marble floors and countertops, and retro 1970s-style low seating. Unusually, the hotel also has its own art gallery off to one side, which attracts a steady flow of non-hotel-guests throughout the day. 

The Mercure Sydney Potts Point is located in the southern part of Potts Point in central Sydney, just outside of the Central Business District. It's across the street from Kings Cross station, and while near the area's notorious Red Light district, the hotel is not right in the midst of the rowdier bars and sex shops. There are takeaway restaurants, bars, and a liquor store in the immediate area, and a Holiday Inn just across the street. Sydney Opera House is about five minutes away by car, while The Rocks neighborhood is about a 10-minute drive (or 15 minutes on the T4 train). Bondi Beach and the Taronga Zoo are each a 15- to 20-minute drive away. The Sydney Airport is about a 15-minute drive, or about a half-hour via public transportation (T4 to T2 trains). 

The Mercure offers three different room types. Standard Rooms were refurbished in 2011 with new beds and bedding; Superior Bay View Rooms, also renovated in 2011, have views over Rushcutter's Bay; Superior Harbour View Rooms are the largest available, and have views of Sydney's Harbour Bridge and Opera House. All rooms have flat-screen TVs, safes, tea kettles, irons, mini-fridges, and 24-hour room service. Decor is mainly brown and white, including the carpeting, walls, drapes, and accent walls. Floral-patterned wood panels above the beds are a nice touch, with similarly patterned easy chairs tucked into boxy wood desks. Most rooms have an orange throw cushion, and each has at least one long window, but the ambience is still pretty dark. Bathrooms are likewise stark, with black and white tiling, small wall-mounted hairdryers, and shower/tub combos.

The Cursa Restaurant is open daily for breakfast and dinner, and serves local and international dishes. Delta bar serves cocktails, beer, and wine from late-afternoon until well into the evening. As a business hotel, the Mercure Sydney Potts Point has six meeting spaces with audiovisual equipment; the largest can fit 80 people. There is also an outdoor terrace with its own bar that can be rented out for events. Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel for a fee, and there's an Internet terminal with three desktop computers for guest use, but it's not free. On-site garage parking is available for a fee. There's no fitness center on-site, and while guests can request passes to the nearby Fitness First Gym from the front desk, it costs extra.