Hotel Mercure

The Mercure is located on rue Breney, just next to the water at Bassin Morny, hence the reference to yachts in the hotel's name. There are a few shops in the immediate vicinity of the hotel, although most, as well as the restaurants and bars, are a few minutes' walk away in the centre of town. The Trouville-Deauville railway station is a couple of minutes away while the Deauville-St. Gatien Airport is a 10-15 minute drive down the road.

The hotel, which belongs to the French hotel giant Accor, opened in 1993 and was renovated six years ago. This may seem a long time in hotel years, although frankly it looks brand new. With its proximity to the marina and the numerous yachts moored there, the hotel has a loose yachting theme throughout. It is open all year round and half of one of the floor is given over to smoking rooms.

The Mercure has a fine frontage with typical elaborate Norman timbers and balconies with a part of it in stone recalling a small castle. It's just a shame that commercialisation requires the hotel chain to plaster its insignias all over the front. The lobby, in contrast, is a modern affair, full of strong, bright colours. The reception desk, manned by pleasant members of staff, is located right at the front of the hall while just before this is a grab & go station where guests can pick up snacks such as sandwiches, crisps, chocolate, yoghurts and soft drinks and coffee. There is even a microwave for the selection of ready meals. Aside from the comfy, modern seating, art prints and flatscreen television on the wall, there is a place to borrow magazines and newspapers (although these are in French!).

One unique feature of the Mercure is the access it grants its guests to the private park at the back of the hotel. Also accessible to those people living in the buildings surrounding the green space, it is a gorgeous place to relax and stroll around in the summer months. The rest of the public spaces are in excellent condition and the corridors, lined with black and white shots of yachts, wide and easy to navigate. For those with reduced mobility, there is a lift serving all five floors of the hotel. There is complimentary wifi throughout the hotel and eight parking spots at 15? each per night (or you can park on the street for free).

All 53 rooms at the Mercure are pretty much identical, with only the bed set up changing and some rooms boasting a balcony overlooking either the private garden or the marina. There are a few duplex rooms available for groups of friends or families and these can accommodate up to four people. The queen beds are dressed in good white sheets and have a multi-coloured plaid across the foot. On top of the mattress is placed an extra layer of bedding which enhances sleeping comfort and which is very popular with guests. Either side of the bed is a bedside table with lamp and telephone while above the bed, hanging from the false wood panelled wall, are black and white action shots of yachts. The rooms have a desk on or above which is a flatscreen television, a couple of armchairs, minibar, tea and coffee facilities and complimentary Evian water. For the moment there are no safes in the room, however valuables can be kept at reception. The bathrooms, some of which will be renovated over the next few years, are still in reasonable condition and all have bathtubs, hairdryers and Mercure toiletries. They are fitted out entirely in white and are spacious and clean. The duplex rooms have exactly the same features with a single or double bed on the ground floor as well as a loo and then a double bed and bathroom upstairs. Rooms on the fifth floor have mansard roofs and the best views.

The Mercure's breakfast room has a great backdrop, that of the private garden. Although the space is bright it is a little small for the number of rooms the hotel has and the tables are a little too tightly packed together. They are however laid nicely with place mats and delicate plants and it is quite relaxing staring out the window onto the greenery outside. The (as far as possible organic) buffet is a continental spread consisting of cereals, yoghurts, breads, patisserie, cold meats, cheeses, juices, tea and coffee as well as a few hot trays of eggs, bacon and sausages. Unfortunately these were not kept filled up and some guests had to wait a while for their warm dishes.

On the ground floor of the hotel, past the reception, is the hotel's bar. Illuminated from beneath, it serves a range of spirits, beers and wines as well as soft drinks. It has a small seating corner with couches and lively coloured chairs and a flatscreen television on the wall.