Mercure Sydney

The Mercure is housed in a contemporary, 15-story building with a sleek, corporate aesthetic. Guests pass below a funky, wave-like awning to reach a bland but pleasant lobby with tile and wood floors, and wood-paneled walls. The seating areas have a few tan leather seats, and there's a long wall of purple-hued panel lighting, in line with the chain's signature color scheme. The small gift shop has souvenirs and snacks, as well as an ATM and a branch of Europcar car rentals in the lobby. The Mercure also has an outdoor terrace space with clay-colored tile and stylish, white patio furniture below huge umbrellas; the space can be rented out for corporate events and small parties, a boon to the clientele, which includes a significant number of business travelers. The hotel also appeals to tourists, though, and while its amenities are more geared towards adult travelers, spacious family rooms make it a reasonable option for those traveling with children. 

The hotel sits on George Street, one of the main thoroughfares running through Sydney, in the southern part of the Central Business District (CBD). It's a few minutes' walk to Central Station, and there are plenty of shops, restaurants, and cafes in the immediate area, including a branch of Australian cake shop Michel's Patisserie. Chinatown is just over 10 minutes away on foot, while the Australian Museum and Hyde Park are both a 20-minute walk away. Without traffic, guests traveling by car can reach The Rocks neighborhood and Sydney Opera House in 10 minutes, Bondi Beach in 15 minutes, and the Taronga Zoo in around 20 minutes. The Sydney Airport is a 15- to 20-minute drive away, and can be reached via Central Station on the Airport, Inner West & South Line of the train (T2) in just under 30 minutes, door to door. 

The 517 rooms and suites at the Mercure Sydney follow a similar color scheme, with lots of the brand's signature purple on accent walls, curtains, sofas, and bed-runners. All rooms have air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, safes, minibars, tea kettles, pillow menus, and work desks. Rooms with balconies are also available. Standard Rooms are the smallest available, and come with a single, queen, or double bed, while larger Family Rooms have two beds and free cots (interconnecting rooms are also available). The best views begin from Superior City View Rooms on the higher floors; all have queen beds. Corporate Privilege Rooms on the 13th-floor have extras for business travelers, including Wi-Fi, Nespresso machines, and welcome kits with chocolates. Deluxe Rooms have separate work areas, while Suites have microwaves and lounges with sofa beds. Bathrooms in all room categories are pretty similar, with white and dark gray tiling, hairdryers, free basic toiletries, and bog-standard shower/tub combos. 

On the hotel's top floor is a heated, indoor swimming pool with views of downtown Sydney rooftops. Just next to the pool is a fitness center with several cardio and weight machines. There's also a sauna, and while the hotel lacks a spa, in-room treatments are available through partner Rejuvenators Heath Massages. Like many hotels in central Sydney, the Mercure has a variety of well-equipped conference and meeting venues -- eight in total, including an outdoor terrace and Grand Central, a room that can hold 400 people, cocktail-style. There's a fee for Wi-Fi, although guests are allowed 30 minutes of free use at the three computers in the business center, which also has a single printer. Along with 24-hour room service, the Mercure offers Eve's, refurbished in 2017, for craft beers and pub food; Four Elements Restaurant for breakfast buffet and Australian and international dishes at dinnertime; and the restaurant bar, for many wines, and casual fare such as pizzas and salads throughout the day. There's a self-laundry room with five washers and dryers, and an adjacent, small waiting room with comfy chairs, a flat-screen TV, and a tabletop PacMan game. The hotel also offers on-site parking, for a fee.