Mercure Bendigo Schaller

Last minute stay due to a hospital visit next door. Platinum Accor member, but no upgrade available even though plenty of rooms available for sale online. Breakfast benefit not honoured because they insisted on seeing the physical card (haven’t needed it for any other stay elsewhere ever). For a basic hotel, will stay elsewhere next time if no need to be this close to the hospital and no Accor benefit.

Very tiny rooms but a comfortable bed. Not condusive to working after hours away from home- too small and cramped. Amenities in the room need improvement- basic liquid hand soap, conditioner and shampoo. Could do with a microwave, toaster, moisturiser. However, i was given a diffrent room to what was booked- the disabled room, which may have been different to the one I booked (this was on me and not the hotel fault at all). The room was noisy due to location near to elevator. The food at the cafe downstairs is okay - not delievered, pickup only. I did have the calimari with pickled salad- both nights. The salad was awful and I asked for a plain salad instead and they said I couldnt change this. I asked them to leave it off as it was inedible. They still served it- literal waste of food. This is not owned by the motel - think it would be in hotels interest to improve service and quality as they clearly get reviewed for this judging by other reviews.

Stayed one night (and one breakfast) recently on a group trip through the area. The hotel has a boutique-ish vibe (reminded me of European hotels for some reason, maybe the size of the rooms), with very small rooms, but they were clean and had everything you needed. I was a single and I think two in my room would have been quite cramped. The staff was helpful and pleasant and the breakfast was good for our needs (sort of fast food plus), with a decent menu. You ordered at the counter near the check-in and they let you know when it was ready. I had a breakfast wrap. A nice, interesting hotel.

We spent 3 nights at the hotel which I had booked largely on the basis of the Mercure brand. The room we had (which seemed a very typical one) was very small, with a very small balcony (wouldn't accommodate more than two). Breakfast was not the usual buffet: you ordered what you wanted at a counter next to reception, and they brought you the food. Nothing wrong with that, in principle, but we could see orders at the pass waiting for waiter service - waiting too long. By the time we were served the food & drinks were just tepid! Positive note: Free parking. However, I would not book here again when next visiting Bendigo (great town!).

Being a former Art Series Hotel, the overall design of this property is fairly eclectic. The rooms are on the small side, however are cleverly packed with all the typical room features such as desk space and a coffee pod machine and even a tiny balcony for fresh air. Breakfast was quite good. Staff did their job efficiently without anything standing out. In the past, as an Accor member, and upgrade, discount, late checkout or gift was organised but not here.