Hôtel Mercure Brive

We requested a wheelchair-accessible room two months ago. Arrived to be given an ordinary room. The receptionist said it was because we had booked a Privilege Room. The website doesn't specify how to book an accessible room; you have to note it in the booking, which we did, but this was ignored. It turned out that the accessible rooms had been allocated to rugby team members, who obviously didn't require modified facilities. It was admitted that nobody had read our booking until the morning of the day we arrived. To make matters worse, the supposed Privilege Room we were given was possibly the smallest premium-grade hotel room we have ever stayed in. We thought it was a single room to begin with: and there was only one robe and one set of towels provided. And only one bedside table (not enough room on the other side), and nowhere to hang your clothes. you have to leave them on the floor. I would have expected better in an Ibis. The restaurant was OK, surprised to find it is closed at weekends, good job we didn't book a weekend day as this isn't shown on the website. The bar was unusable for those who wanted an evening drink as it was monopolized as a TV lounge by the rugby team. We retired to our tiny, uncomfortable, inadequate and very expensive room earlier than we would have liked. This was a dreadful experience, one of the worst I've suffered at the hands of Accor, and a disgrace to the brand. We won't be staying at this hotel again.

There is not much wrong but the trouble with staying on a Sunday evening is that it is very quiet (restaurant is shut). But, nevermind, the bar was open and we were able to get a drink before eating out at restaurant very close by. The first issue was that my red wine was stale/corked as it came from an open bottle. I pointed this out and the lady was very reluctant to open another bottle. It seemed like she did not beleive me! Our room was comfortable enough but the hotel needs a refurb. It was just a little bit tired with peeling paint in the bathroom and old flooring etc etc. We use Accor hotels a lot - this one needs some work.

Where were the staff? We tried to check in at 4.00 pm but there were not staff anywhere. We rang the buzzer several times and after 15 minutes, one staff member turned up. A sort of apology to the effect that her buzzer receiver was not responding to the Reception one. She also seemed to be the only staff member around until just before the restaurant opened at 7.00 pm, when several restaurant staff arrived. We had stayed at this hotel many years ago and had forgotten how small the rooms were. As Gold members of ACCOR, we were upgraded to a privilege room, but same size as ever other room but we did have a Nespresso machine which we never use! The pillows were either hard as rock or as flat as can be, most uncomfortable all round. IBIS and Campanile rooms are about the same size as these and half the price. it was particularly disappointing because the previous night we had stayed at Val de Reuill Mercure, near Rouen and what a difference. No comparison at all, just as different as chalk and cheese.

We were so frustrated by recent experiences at Novotels we were wondering where to stay on our journeys through France. We have passed so many dilapidated or closed hotels the choice seems to be getting smaller each year. A chance view from Autoroute A20 passing Brive la Gaillarde saw this Mercure . We immediately booked it for the return journey. What a absolute gem this hotel is. Visible from J50 A20 yet with quadruple glazing and set in a beautiful park you could be anywhere. Rooms are very comfortable and better than current Novotels. The staff are very professional and know what they are doing. The kitchen produces a tempting menu of delightful food; fresh and full of taste. The wine list, whilst compact, offered excellent choice. And for all you EV drivers there is a forest of charging points. This is our new stopping off point between Saint Malo and the southern Cevennes. Book now you won’t be disappointed. PS make sure the address is in satnav as the route from junction 50 is a little complicated but worthwhile.