Mercure Sydney

Rooms and decor

There are roughly 517 contemporary rooms here, and reviews suggest asking for a high floor — pull back the curtains and you'll get a genuinely good look at the Sydney skyline. Every room has a smart TV, a rain shower and a pillow menu, the kind of small touches that help you sleep well. Everything feels clean and current, as you'd hope from a place that's been fully renovated.

Food and amenities

The standout is the heated indoor rooftop pool — you can head up for a soak with city views in the evening even when it's cool out. There's a gym and a sauna too, plus the Platform 818 restaurant and bar serving Australian and international plates, and a second spot in Eve's Bar. The confidence here shows in the numbers: more than 900 reviews on Trip.com at 8.8, among the most in this list.

Location and getting there

Mercure Sydney sits on George Street in Chippendale, at the southern edge of the CBD. It's about a 4-minute walk from Central Station to the door — the closest to the rail interchange in this list. For anyone landing late or catching trains around the city every day, that kind of location is worth a lot. The hotel is part of the Mercure (Accor) group and has been fully renovated.

Things to know before booking

It's a large hotel of around 517 rooms, so the lobby can get busy at peak times. Private parking costs extra rather than being bundled into the rate. And while Central is right there, the southern edge of the CBD is a fair way from Darling Harbour, so factor that in if the harbour is where you want to be.

Our take

Mercure Sydney works best for business travellers and anyone who puts a walk to Central Station first — a freshly renovated 4-star hotel with a rooftop pool at a fair price. If easy transport is your top priority, this is the one that delivers, with rates from about $120 a night.