Was staying here for business, as I had done back in January. Back then I had a pleasant stay, but this time around there were more issues. As ever, the room was clean, large and comfortable, although the bed was a little firm for my personal preference. There were additional pillows available in the wardrobe, but I was surprised that they didn't have their covers on them. These has just been stuffed inside the bag. It was too late at night for me to attempt to put them on the pillows, and I don't see why I should have had to in the first place. This is a hotel built in the last five years and had fully sealed windows - they don't open. Whilst the room ventilation systems seemed to be working, it wasn't very efficient, so the room got quite stuffy overnight. Enjoyed a few drinks in the bar with local friends - they have a good selection of whiskys! Was up early for breakfast. Despite the fact that this starts at 6.30, the numerous service staff didn't seem too worried about assisting guests. They took forever to bring me a pot of tea, by which time I'd almost finished eating. Then the fun began. My company were hosting an early morning seminar in the hotel's basement function suite. The hotel had, overnight, managed to lose items we had left with them for save keeping (although they were eventually found). Staff at reception just didn't seem to care. They were also setting up our room against our original instructions and this had to be quickly sorted out, whilst our clients were arriving. This is a good hotel, but is starting to 'fray' around the edges.

My husband and I stayed at the Mercure for 3 nights 20-23rd June. We booked a Superior Room, which was well worth the premium - the room was more than large enough for our needs and we had a beautiful view of the fountains. The location was perfect, right in the city centre, next to the town hall, with plenty of shops and restaurants nearby. We had massages booked when we arrived, (a great way to unwind after a long journey) these were excellent and the beauty rooms were very relaxing. The massages were incredibly reasonable, ?40 for an hour-long full body massage, plus 10% off as a guest of the hotel. I went for a swim on Sunday afternoon and had the pool all to myself. It was a proper full length pool, rather one of the usual tiny hotel ones. I also used the lovely steam rooms/saunas afterwards, which were again almost empty. Entry to the spa facilities was free to hotel guests. Breakfast was included in our rate and the buffet had a good range of hot food, cereals, fruit and pastries. The only negative was that it took the front desk 25 minutes to contact housekeeping to find out if our room was ready when we checked in. Apart from that, our stay was perfect, all the staff were extremely friendly and helpful and I would definitely come back again.

Had occasion to briefly stay for business trip. Initial impression was quite unfavorable - a morning arrival at hotel with request to check in was denied. All desk clerks sternly recited the hotel's firm 2:00 p.m. check-in policy. This clearly was not the desired response to hear after an all-night airplane ride followed by an hour-plus car ride. I expected more out of a hotel that clearly caters to business clientele, I'd asked the front desk personnel if the hotel were completely booked; the response was that it wasn't. I'd asked if I could then check-in and the hotel check-in policy was again recited to me. If I'd made the reservation with a standard chain such as Hilton, Hyatt, or Marriott, I wouldn't have had to worry about such a response. Business travelers, be forewarned and either plan to spend the coin for a partial day or go without a room for part of the day. Other comments... Bed spread was somewhat dirty - not worthy of contacting front desk staff, but... Bed was hard and uncomfortable - but given the hours of my trip, a bed of nails would have been more than accomodating. Room had no alarm clock - would have been nice to have. Location in town is quite nice - view of town square was enjoyable. Front desk staff, conceirge were helpful after check-in. As for food, there's an Italian restaurant literally 100 feet away from the hotel that's quite good.

When i called the hotel to make the booking the person i spoke seemed unsure on some details, however evenutally the booking was made. Upon arrival at the hotel the blond receptionist was having a conversation with a fellow member of staff and ignored myself until she had finished, not a very good start. When i was checked in i went straight to my room. Upon entry of the room it was not clean, the bed wasnt made, the bathroom was still dirty, so i went down to reception without an apology i was moved rooms, to then enter a room which ws occupied by someone else. So once again i returned to reception and was just given a different room again without apology. When i finally entered my room the bed was comfortable but my mini bar was empty, there was no shower gel, shampoo or body wash had to ask about 4times at reception for more. There was no remote in my room so once again i had to ask for this. I choose to meet a colleague and have a meal in the Zucca restaurant as i had heard good reviews from friends to then turn up and find out if wasnt open, which meant i had to eat in the Yard restaurant. The food was terrible, i had ordered my steak to be well done and it came out rare, so had to send it back to have a new steak made correctly. My colleague wasnt happy with her meal either. I went out for the evenig as the drinks in the bar were to expensive and the bar staff were very slow and i heard other customers complaining about waiting so we just left. I did have a comfortable night sleep but was woken by the housekeepers early in the morning, they were hoovering outside my room and talking really loud outside my room. When i went down for breakfast there was a little wait which could be expected as it was busy, but when i was seated i was given a dirty table which was cleaned once i asked, but when i went to get my items for my breakfast i had to wait whilst they were topped up as many items had ran out. In the end i only had toast and some fruit because i didnt have the time to be waiting around. On checkout it was the same persn who checked me in, i explained all my issues to her and the reply i got was "ok then, i will pass that on" there was no apology or anything. For the price that i was paying all of the service was terrible. I will never ever stay at this hotel, to be honest i would rather stay at the Premier Inn as i got better service from a budget hotel. I would not class this hotel as 4* at all.

This is meant to be THE place to stay in Sheffield. I was there for business trip for 2 nights. The room was a decent size and had a big window overlooking a crowded Town Square- no net curtain - the whole of Sheffield could see me dress unless I did so in the dark (of which more). Lighting in the room was awful. LIght above desk didn't work. Only other light in room was a lamp and wall lights beside bed, so impossible to work in the room after dark. Free internet access in the room didn't work and the staff were both clueless and uninterested in how to help resolve this very important problem. In case you need to know - you can just about get free wifi in the lobby bar from the Winter Gardens next door. Staff in the lobby 'Champagne' bar walked past me for an hour as I sat alone from 6.30 - 7.30pm. Then messed up my G&T by bringing lemonade. My dry cleaning wasn't returned to me and the receptionist was clearly put out at having to go and look for it. The restaurant was CLOSED (Monday and Tuesday) evenings. Staff were surly and unhelpful. Apart from that it was fine !! Best part of the stay was the gym, which was small, but clean and not busy in the early evening. This hotel has ideas way above its station