Mercure Brisbane Spring Hill

I'd read some reviews that the hotel was run down. I can only comment about our room and can say that it was mostly fine from an aesthetic point of view as was the lobby area and terrace bar. Air conditioning was loud and I'm not sure the controls actually adjusted the temp. Vent in the bathroom clearly hasn't had the dust cleared from it for years. The big one though was that the bathroom completely floods when you empty the bath with the water coming back up through the floor drain - not very hygienic. I only just managed to stop it pouring onto the carpet of the room itself. Pool was deep which was a pleasant surprise for a hotel pool. The service though, and the phone system that didn't work, not so good. Reception was friendly enough and Platinum upgrade given. Breakfast is what I would class as bare minimum and the area it is in is small for the size of the hotel. Upon entering there were 5 vacant tables but all had not been cleared and there seemed no urgency to clear them - even when we were shown to the breakfast room by a staff member. We ate out on the terrace which was ok but a bit chilly without a jumper as we didn't know we'd need one. Coffee took 20 mins at the terrace bar in the afternoon when there were literally no other customers being served. There were clearly crumbs etc left over from breakfast under our table. Room had not been serviced by 4pm which was annoying as we needed to get ready to go to the Wallabies match. Rang reception who apologised saying that they were really busy. Told them not to bother as it was too late but did request fresh towels and a coffee resupply on the way out. Came back from the game, to find fresh towels but no coffee and wet pool towels not removed/swapped. In the end, lucky due to the overflowing drain. As a guest, housekeeping staffing levels shouldn't be our problem in an Accor hotel.

Positives: The Belgian gentleman who checked us in was so welcoming. Couldn’t fault him. The breakfast was good. Good variety and being able to order a latte was great. Negatives: The noise from the building sits next to our room was awful. The 7 am Saturday start was too much noise. Couldn’t use the balcony at all. Went down to reception at 6.50 Saturday morning. The man on reception was rude and uninterested. I also saw him being rude to another guest. No coffee available.

The location is great, we could walk to the center easily. However, it's mainly a business hotel. The rooms are getting old and poor decorated, although the bed was ok. We had a flood in the bathroom every time we shower. Plus, they put us exactly at the same floor and side to the next constructions, which means, loud noise early morning. Service is poor. Front desk couldn't even reply to if tap water was ok to drink. Breakfast service not good as well. They kept empty baskets and bottles for long time, no cups, coffee machine not working together with poor assistance and mood in general. Options were few, but ok in general, as well as cleanliness. It works for a few days, but would chose other place if I knew this first.