Mercure Palais des Sports Hotel

This was the worst Mercure I have ever experienced. The room decor and fittings were cheap and tacky. The in room safe was broken, the fridge was not cooling, the toilet flusher was broken, the towels provided were thin and poor quality. There were no toiletries or amenities. There was a side table on only one side of the bed although there was room for two. The front desk person was unfriendly and unpleasant. He asked if we wanted a high or low floor, noting that the high floor would be hot. We were debating, in front of him, the fact that we preferred to be cooler but that then my husband, not a young man, would have to take our large suitcases up several stairs. The young man at the desk never suggested he might help with the luggage! So we opted for upstairs to use the elevator - 4th floor was the only offer - and it was stifling hot all night! How is it that air conditioning was not yet available when it was already May and 25 degrees out?!

A hold of E100 was placed on my credit card. This has never been done by any Mercure previously. And now, days later, the bank still has not released the funds. What was the purpose? There is nothing in the fridge, we said we were not eating in the restaurant and our credit card was already on file as a guarantee.

Looking down from our room, the pool was filthy and had mold. I assume it was not open but then it should be covered, it was disgusting to look down on and makes one wonder about the overall hygiene of the facility.

Breakfast buffet was very mediocre with stale bread and old pastries.

This was by no means a 4-star hotel, not even Mercure standard. It should be downgraded to a Novotel or Ibis.

The only positive was that Pauline, the morning desk person was very nice and helpful. The evening person was terrible but he had no name badge.