Just curious as to people's thoughts and the general repuation of the Mercure Hotel chain throughout Europe.<BR><BR>Can anyone compare to a US chain?<BR><BR>Thanks

I haven't stayed in one so can't comment personally, but have seen plenty of them and know a little about that company so will comment a little. Mainly, that I don't think you can compare to a US chain because that type of chain does things differently in Europe than in the US. Mercure does have some hotels which they own that are new constructions and follow their company's style and objectives. These tend to be moderate hotels in suburbs and edges of cities or in business areas.<BR><BR>However, in older cities (like Paris), they also buy up older properties in good locations, do a little renovation, and then reopen under the Mercure name and these hotels can be smaller, older 2-3 star typical hotels. Mercure also occasionally has more deluxe properties, and some of them are older also, although this isn't as common as the moderate level new or older renovated hotels.<BR><BR>I can't think of any US chain hotel that operates like that, and can't very much because we don't have a lot of older small hotels in major cities. So, that's my only comment on Mercure (other than they have a really ugly sign they put up for the hotels they acquire which looks terrible).<BR><BR>I would guess that for their newer, modern properties, they might be similar to Holiday Inns, but am not sure. Mercure is owned by that giant international hotel operator, Accor, which has many different brands -- this is the order from nicest on down: Sofitel, Mercure, Novotel and Ibis (in France, they own others in the US). Mercure is middle of the road of that line-up, and often caters to business clientele but from the industry comments I've read on them, they are considered excellent properties for what they are.<BR><BR>

I have stayed in many Mercures, Novotels and Sofitels. The Mercure hotel tends to vary considerably from property to property. I think the ones in Paris are pretty awful, but the ones in the smaller towns can have some advantages...they are more attractive and frequently have free parking and easy access. Plus the price is usually a very good value.

A family member stayed in one in Les Arcs, in the French Alpes, and it was a modern-style new construction, with lots of amenities, as I heard it.

I agree with the above posters that Mercure hotel properties can vary according to location. They cater to businessmen during the week mostly and are fairly standard issue: Marriott meets Holiday Inn. But they have all the mod cons you want at pretty reasonable prices.<BR><BR>In August 1999 when Milan is dead, I stayed for 4 days at a Mercure Hotel close to the Navigli district. It was great! It was very clean, the beds were very comfortable, soundproofing (even though Milan is dead at that time of the year and my room was in the back of the building -- which I usually like to do in Italy so I don't have to hear the noise). Breakfast was buffet style in the morning and was abundant. The service was very nice. I had a good stay there. I also have stayed at the Mercure Hotel at Lyon-Part Dieu. That was a large hotel and there again very clean, if not generic. You shouldn't have a bad experience. I was completely satisfied with my stay at the Mercure in Milan and would stay there again. The French company ACCOR owns Mercure and Sofitel and you can find information about both on the web with the Sofitel being a little step above: I'd say French Marriott sans Holiday Inn.

In the late 90's we stayed at the Mercure Palais des Papes. The room was very large as was the lobby. It had a patio and was all right but nothing special. We had to park in a garage a block or two away: I think it was free. We only had reservations for one night but the woman at the desk was extremely helpful. She found us a smaller, more attractive and less expensive hotel that we could carry our bags to. And she allowed us to leave our car in the same garage free. That is the kind of service that I remember!

Mercure is more or less the middle tier in the Accor chain throughout Europe, a step above Ibis, one down from Novotel. Many Mercures are opened in older hotel properties (and updated and remodeled) unlike many of the Ibis or Novotel hotels which tend to be new construction. FYI, Accor recently acquired the Motel 6 chain in the US, which would probably be the equivalent of Ibis, although frankly most Ibises are nicer than most Motel 6s. <BR><BR>We've stayed in a number of Mercures (also Ibises and Novotels) in Europe and have never been disappointed, although they can indeed vary in terms of amenity and comfort. I'd peg them somewhere around the lower-end Marriott or Radissons for US comps, but it's tough to generalize.<BR><BR>We like to stay at the Mercure Monty in Paris (on the edge of the Marais near the Grandes Boulevards Metro stop.) Converted Art Deco hotel, very comfortable but not fancy, affordable, good buffet breakfast (one advantage of the chain) and peekaboo views of Sacre Coeur over the rooftops. What's not to like?

I would disagree that Mercure is a step down from a Novotel. I'd say it's on the same level, but differently configured. There seems to be more variance in the Mercure brand than in Novotel. There are a few 4* Mercures, I don't think there are any 4* Novotels. <BR>In October, we spent about 2 weeks in the Mercure in Angers (the Mercure Centre, not Lac du Maine). It was a definite cut above any Novotel we've ever stayed in; the room was about 30% larger, the quality of furnishings was higher, as were the toiletries. The breakfast buffet and food in general was notably superior than the Novotels we've stayed at. <BR>We were extremely pleased with the Mercure in Angers and look forward to staying there again. The bed was one of the most comfortable hotel beds we slept on and the service was terrific. We also loved the location of the hotel; our room directly overlooked the pretty Jardin des Plantes. Through an internet special, we only paid about $60 a night, including taxes and indoor parking. We are big fans of Angers and it was a great base for exploring the Saumur/Chinon area. <BR>I think the Angers Mercure was one of the nicer ones in the chain; most are probably on the same level as the Novotel. Our room reminded me very much of a nice Marriott room--the Marriott also was suggested as a comparison by another poster above.

Phil: Stayed at a Mercure Hotel at Dinant, Belgium last May. Nice Hotel, large well appointed rooms, good breakfast buffet, very friendly, helpful staff. Had a great view from the room. Wouldn't hesitate to use them again. We did see pictures and got information at thier website before booking. Have a great trip.