Hotel Mercure Windsor Auckland^{(3 stars)}

This hotel is the strangest Mercure I've ever been to, and a sum of contradictions. There's one awkward (not bad, just awkward) point for its every good one. The brilliant location is undeniable, as you exit directly to Queen Street, a stone's throw from the harbour, train and bus stations. However, the views range between looking at the building on the opposite side and glancing at the industrial complex below. The lobby entrance looks pretty ornate, but signs of age are visible everywhere, even though the maintenance staff are trying their best to keep up with the polish. The architecture ... seems bizarre, with the lifts placed before you reach the lobby, while every room seems to have its own configuration and amenities. We stayed in two rooms of supposedly same type in quick succession. On our first visit, we were given a 7th floor room with a view of heavy-duty industrial machines, albeit with a kitchenette. On our second visit, we were given a 1st floor room with ceiling windows facing an immediate construction site, so we were forced to keep our curtains down for the entirety of our stay. The bathroom was elevated and the feel of the room was that of an impoverished suite. The rooms themselves were decent in every way, the beds were comfortable and the bathrooms fairly spacious. At the same time, ventilation was poor, there was no fridge/minibar and some parts of the furniture seriously dated. All in all, the stay wasn't unpleasant in any way, but the hotel is just too inconsistent to warrant a future visit. read more