Mercure Sydney Parramatta

The bed was comfortable and the location works well for events at Rosehill, but there were a lot of problems during my three nights. The parking machine charged unpredictably: sometimes nothing, sometimes $25 after an hour, and sometimes $50, despite the stated $25 daily rate. The shower had only three settings, burning hot, hotter, or freezing. My room was very dark even with all the lights on, and the TV had no WiFi for streaming. Staff said the TVs were new and needed someone to fix them. Room service was frustrating. I had to ask specifically for the room to be made up, even though I left the sign out all day and housekeepers passed nearby. They made the bed with the same linens, rehung the same towels, and left empty bottles and rubbish. Rubbish wasn't collected at all during my stay. The toilet seat had a nearly loose bolt and slid around, so I fixed it myself. For a four-star hotel, they need to lift their game.

Getting through to reception was the most frustrating part. Each time I called, I ended up waiting in a phone queue, and when I went down to ask about it, they just said they were busy. For the price, the service and value weren't there, and I'm sure nearby hotels do better. The location is good, but that was my only positive. I stayed for work and won't return. The rooms felt outdated and not properly cleaned, and the overall upkeep and presentation disappointed me. Breakfast was very limited, with so little variety beyond fruit that it felt more like a fruit buffet than a proper meal.

The location was very good, and the meal was lovely, though restaurant staff weren't very attentive. The beds were comfortable, but the room was too hot overnight. Adjusting the air conditioning didn't change the temperature. There was no information booklet, WiFi guidance, or details about the hotel facilities. The TV remote was odd and finding channels wasn't intuitive. In the bathroom, the water got dangerously hot, the shower pressure was poor, and its floor was unclean and mouldy. The toilet paper holder was broken, too. The hotel is dated and needs painting. With these room issues, it wasn't good value. The air con, in-room information and bathroom facilities need attention.

We stayed for a concert, and the hotel arranged a shuttle bus, which was great. Breakfast had lots of choices and was very good. The rooms are spacious and nice, although they could use a bit of a refurb. Otherwise, we had a very pleasant stay and would recommend it.