Mercure Angouleme Hotel De France

“Really rather good.”

We booked this en route and hadn’t really expected anything all that special.In fact it turned out to be really rather good. The first good point was the very switched on receptionist (Estelle??) who reorganised our booking to give us interconnection rooms, a great bonus when travelling as a family… more

We booked this en route and hadn’t really expected anything all that special.In fact it turned out to be really rather good. The first good point was the very switched on receptionist (Estelle??) who reorganised our booking to give us interconnection rooms, a great bonus when travelling as a family. Secondly, the hotel has underground parking, a great asset in the baking heat of summer. On top of that they were happy to let us leave the car there in the morning while we tootled round the town. The room was somewhat functional but the bed was one of the most comfortable of our entire trip, a decent size to boot. What else? Ah yes, the evening meal; an espresso martini to start, very good, not the best I’ve had but a close second. good food, good service and our fussy number two ate all hers. Initially, we didn’t book breakfast being somewhat unconvinced that the French understand what is meant by breakfast. However the switched on receptionists assured us that there was plenty on offer and so indeed there was; fruit, cheeses, hams, melon, cereals, pastries, and scrambled eggs that had been kept perfectly warm without turning rubbery. Finally, there’s a small but adequate fitness room in some sort of old cellar.

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“Solid overnight choice”

We stopped off for a night en route South. The hotel is right in the centre of the upper town. A handsome building, its public areas on the ground floor are certainly 4 star quality, whilst its large adjoining garage is excellent and essential. The rooms are slightly tired and more three star quali… more

We stopped off for a night en route South. The hotel is right in the centre of the upper town. A handsome building, its public areas on the ground floor are certainly 4 star quality, whilst its large adjoining garage is excellent and essential. The rooms are slightly tired and more three star quality, but overall the value proposition is very good. Slightly underwhelming reception when we landed and service generally, not least when our reserved parking seemed to have been given away by a receptionist who seemed relaxed by it all. Don’t let this put you off - the hotel and town can certainly entertain you for a very good 24 hours.

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“Disappointing”

Due to recent renovation there was a strong smell of paint throughout. The room telephone wasn't working (I was told that there were no technicians available on Friday evening). The box of wipes in the bathroom was empty (rectified later) and some of the worktops were dusty. No explanation of TV op… more

Due to recent renovation there was a strong smell of paint throughout. The room telephone wasn't working (I was told that there were no technicians available on Friday evening). The box of wipes in the bathroom was empty (rectified later) and some of the worktops were dusty. No explanation of TV operation ( later rectified). After a long journey on the road I expect better. On the positive side the breakfast was excellent. Can you please train your staff not to sound like robots! Your guests are human beings who pay a not insignificant amount to stay in your establishment. Thank you.

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