The Menzies Sydney

The 446-room Menzies has a grand but casual appearance from the outside, and has the somewhat generic look of an office building. The lobby is dark, and the decor is on the dated side, with burgundy leather pincushion sofas, crystal chandeliers, light-wood paneling, and lots of large leafy plants. The Menzies Central Business District location, size, and numerous meeting rooms attract a large number of business travelers, but the location should suit tourists, too, as it's a short walk to the Sydney Harbor and The Rocks tourist precinct. 

The Menzies is located in Sydney's CBD, right across the street from Wynard railway station. There are a couple of convenience stores and a massage place right by the hotel, and a good number of bars and restaurants in the immediate vicinity that cater primarily to businesspeople who work in the area. The Rocks is a 10-minute walk away, and the Sydney Opera House is within a 20-minute walk. Bondi Beach Taronga Zoo are within a 20-minute drive. The Sydney Airport is a 15-minute drive but  and can also be reached on the Airport Inner West and South Line of the train (T2) in about 30 minutes. 

There are 446 air-conditioned rooms and suites at The Menzies, all of which have plain, neutral decor, with painted or wallpapered walls in hues of cream, tan, and gray, white sheets, and light-wood furniture, and blue or tan carpets. Although the rooms are well-maintained, the furniture and decor could use a refresh. Rooms come with small wall-mounted flat-screen TVs, writing desks, minibars/mini-fridges, coffeemakers, and spacious closets. Bathrooms come with shower/tub combos and wall-mounted hairdryers. Some rooms have views of adjacent Wynyard Park, although some of the windows have hazy glass and need to be cleaned or replaced. Suites have separate bedrooms and living areas, and two marble bathrooms, and the Deluxe Suites come with kitchenettes. 

There are four bars and restaurants on-site. The Carrington is the hotel's breakfast restaurant and offers a buffet of hot and cold items every morning (breakfast is not included in the room rate). One Four Kitchen, the on-site cafe, serves coffee and a variety of hot dishes at breakfast, and a small lunch and dinner menu is available. It also has live music on Wednesdays. Sporters Bar and Bistro is open for lunch and dinner, serving meat-heavy Australian classics (think lamb and veggies) in a laid-back, convivial atmosphere. The Piano Bar is a tad snazzier, with cocktails and live piano most evenings. The Menzies is also a popular venue for meetings and events, and its large ballroom can be split up into smaller meeting or event spaces. The business center  flat-screen PCs for guests' use. There's also a fitness center with treadmills, exercise bikes, elliptical machines, and weight machines, as well as a sauna, and a small indoor lap pool with a tiny whirlpool at one end. Wi-Fi is available throughout the property for a fee.