Hôtel Mercure Caen Côte de Nacre Hérouville-Saint

The welcome at arrival felt unfriendly, like the person was bored with us. Some of the breakfast items weren't fresh, even though there was a decent selection. We also found hair inside our pillows.

I stayed overnight for work and would be happy to come back. The restaurant food was very good, as was breakfast, and the tram stop is right across the road. This was certainly better than the Novotel they put me in on my last trip.

Dinner was a highlight: two tasty, original courses for €25, and with three glasses of wine between us the bill came to €70. It was the best value meal I'd had all week, and the quality was excellent. After a few happy hour beers and some time wandering around, I wished we had a few more days to explore the Normandy coast. The city centre was an easy 20-minute tram ride away for €1.80 for an hour pass, and we enjoyed walking around so much that we stayed out longer than the pass lasted. The hotel is on the city's north edge, a quick turn off the N13, and the tram stop is right outside. McDonald's and Carrefour are there too. The outside has a two-storey, bunker-like look, maybe fitting for Normandy, but the inside is lovely, with a spacious open-plan bar, restaurant, and reception. Our room had crisp, modern furnishings and a large walk-in shower. A fridge would have made it feel more like home, though this was only a one-night stop on the ferry route. The next day we reached the main highway within a minute and got to the Utah beach Museum quickly. It was a great end to my first holiday in France since 1982.

We'd booked this as a convenient stop on the way to Brittany, but the stay itself was so good that I'd absolutely come back. Everyone at the hotel was lovely and made us feel welcome, even with my poor French. We enjoyed both dinner and breakfast. For the quality of the room, food, and service, it was very good value.