Hôtel de Bourbon - Mercure Bourges

We don’t expect much from Accor’s Mercure chain of 3/4star hotels and we’re usually right. In Newport they forgot to service our room and the TV in the lounge of our junior suite didn’t work but Mercure Bourges is even worse, The first Privilege room we were shown was so dark we couldn’t seen as it had tiny little windows. The second was far brighter but painfully small. On checking the bed we found a paper mattress cover (yes really); a duvet cover as a bottom sheet as they have obviously run out of normal sheets; thin towels that are wet after one wash and no way to dry them; no face cloths; and a TV so close to the sofa that one person is too close to watch it. It looks good from the outside but if this is the best Bourges/Accor have to offer then it’s pretty poor. Depressing,

Very good value for money. The hotel is well kept and very clean, with comfortable rooms and a lovely patio garden. Customer service is always good and makes you feel welcome. The food is very good too and breakfast, buffet style, is varied and extensive. The restaurant and buffet areas are kept tidy and clean, unlike in other Mercure Hotel venues

It was OK. Bed was very comfortable, breakfast was vast if expensive. Some things I didn’t like - the biscuit-cutter layout with plastic moulded bathroom ( although good shower). I detest cardboard cups for water. Staff were friendly if not really engaging. It felt rather corporate, as if run by accountants rather than a hotelier interested in the clients. I would not go back: the local Logis Villa C was a much better all round experience a month previously

There used to be a time when the motto of the Accor group was “the surprise is… that there isn’t any”, meaning that you get something pretty predictable. Well, in this case it is not quite true, as we had the surprise to discover that, at 5 p.m. our bed had not been made yet. OK, after calling the front desk this issue was rapidly resolved, yet the person in charge had only replaced one bath towel. Nothing really dramatic, but why does this happen in a 4 star hotel? On a more positive note, breakfast is superb. Chances are that the bread from a neighbouring bakery is the best you will ever eat in France. Disappointing: Being an Accor silver card holder, I received a voucher for a welcome drink. The small print accurately states that the free drink is for the card holder only, and - as opposed to previous experiences when your accompanying person received a glass as well - they now mean it, i.e. you will be charged for the drink for the second person. Quite ungenerous in my opinion, so I mentioned the issue to the receptionist at checkout. He told me that there have been clear instructions from the head office in this regard. Basically it’s not about the five or six euros, but who invents rules meant to be irritating to customers?

This hotel, once an abbey in ruins and now a super elegant Mercure, merits a visit and a stay. Very nice rooms, ample private parking facilities, a charming style and, last but not least, impeccable service everywhere. Friendly and competent multilingual reception, a stylish bar with much to offer and a classy restaurant with a great atmosphere. Very good value for money. This somewhat less visited region of France is so typical and so French. Clearly worth a stop-over if driving by.

Was wonderfully surprised by hotel: a beautiful renovation/integration of a former abbey. Beautiful entry and stunning restaurant. Check in was incredibly fast & friendly. Unfortunately I did not take their advice & book a table for dinner, so I missed out on eating at the restaurant (it was fully booked when we asked later). We stayed in the new wing. Rooms are small, but nice and very clean. Location is fantastic. Easy to get to with car with free parking and easy walk to historic city center. Also, the Pres Fichaux gardens across the street are spectacular.