Mercure Lille Centre Grand Place

The bathroom’s gigantic, which is nice, but the design feels like it was approved by someone who’s never taken a shower. Still, the location is great and the staff are wonderful. I’d stay again.

We had to add a night because of the bad weather. I paid the agreed amount in cash in advance, but at checkout they charged me another 78 Euros. I’m an Accor member, too. I won’t stay at Mercure Lille again. The hotel’s in a heritage building, but it doesn’t feel worth four stars. The rooms are narrow and claustrophobic, with beds so narrow you worry about falling out. The room card holder fell off twice, the bathroom door wouldn’t lock, and with the elevator being repaired we had to climb two flights of stairs. The corridors are narrow as well.

The room was compact but great, and the location was excellent. Romain at reception was especially helpful and had excellent recommendations. The housekeeping staff were professional and considerate. I’d definitely stay again.

We were told that joining the hotel loyalty programme would get us early check-in, but the fee still appeared on my invoice and I was charged. I had to go back to the hotel later to ask for a refund, which was inconvenient and unprofessional. At first they gave me a room that hadn’t been prepared. In the next one, the toilet wouldn’t flush and there was a strong unpleasant smell. When I reported it, the receptionist seemed annoyed and brushed off my concern, saying the smell was normal and happened around the hotel from time to time. They only changed my room again after I insisted. That room was right across from the service lift, I guess to annoy me, though thankfully it wasn’t noisy. At least it didn’t smell. I recently stayed at this four-star hotel, but the service didn’t meet the expected standard. Some of the reception staff were unprofessional and not customer-service oriented. I’ve had a better reception experience even in hostels.