Review - Mercure Saint Malo Balmoral
 

Introduction A very good stay in this hotel open for 5 or 6 years, but was under the Best Western wing and joined Accor a couple of months ago. A welcomed move as this is definitely the best Accor address in town. The hotel has a very modern look and everything is in perfect condition. The staff was very kind and professionnal. You really appreciate the Accor «Feel Welcome» there. Staff was most of the time calling me by my name, despite it was the 1st time I was staying there. Check In Prompt check-in and I was clearly expected with the drink voucher ready next to the computer. Drink voucher was valid for soft drinks, beer and wine.I booked Privilege room and go that (hotel fully booked or close to). The privilege room comes with bathrobes, slippers, a Nespresso machine and free minibar (soft drinks). View of the lobby and bar area Room The room was large with a double bed, a balcony (not used as it was literally freezing cold in St Malo during the new year, with negative temperatures), a safety box. The bathroom had a rain shower.The only « bad » thing I could report is that I found the mattress a bit too hard. I told them at check-out and they said they were surprised of this remark because the bed of the privilege room has an overmatress. I have sincerely no idea if this overmatress was present or not, but if it was there, it is not a very good one. Some friends were staying at the same time in a family room, which is a kind of junior suite which can accomodate up to 2 adults and 3 children. This room was very nice too with a lot of windows and so plenty of natural light. Their bathroom had both a rain shower and a bath tub. Dining There is no restaurant for lunch or dinner in the hotel but several hot dishes (microwaved) are available for consumption at the bar or in-room. The menu is displayed in the room offers a decent choice. Of course to be considered only if you get late or if the weather is horrible and you don't want to go out, because otherwise there are plenty of excellent food options in this beautiful town of St Malo.The breakfast buffet is decent. I would say a typical Mercure buffet with good quality products and a very nice staff taking care of the service. Location It is conveniently located right in front of the train station. Sea side and intra-muros are at walking distance, although for this, the other Mercure (front de mer) has a better location.There is no hotel parking, but there is a small (free) lot behind and you find easily a spot in the streets around. Overall Overall a very good stay. I will definitely return as I liked the style, the large rooms and the quality of service.

Very nice rooms ^
St Malo in winter... how was it?

Usually at new year, it's between 5-10 degrees (Celsius) with a mix of sunny and cloudy days (as usual in northern Brittany). But this year was very very cold (I have never felt so cold there), as in the rest of the country, including Paris. A lot of morning and evening fog too this year.

2nd stay a less good one
 

I just stayed a 2nd time in this hotel (2 rooms booked). The hotel is still good but I encountered a significant cleanliness issue in the bathroom. I checked-in late (around 23:30) and around midnight using the bathroom, I noticed some hairs in the sink. Oh not good but certainly not the end of the world. The following morning, about to take a shower, I then noticed that the walk-in shower was full of hairs and body hairs (I didn't notice it when I arrived). I attach here some pictures even if it's not easy to distinguish without extending (zooming). Disgusting :td:
I of course advised the front desk. Plenty of apologies received. The manager on-duty told me at that time that a commercial gesture would be done on the bill (which was done at check-out). The bathroom was of course cleaned afterwards.
Also to mention that the drink voucher was not spontaneously given (had to request it at the same time as my bathroom complaint). No upgrade provided (but I am not sure one was even possible).

I consider this as a kind of "accident" and the hotel is still a good one with nice rooms, but they move from my "trusted hotel green list" to my "orange hotels list -under surveillance"...

Good grief, that is just vile. I would have expected not to pay for the night.

I had another recent stay in this hotel. A very good one without incident. No upgrade possible as I always book the privilege room. Staff at front desk was very nice and always calling me by my name when passing in the lobby.
Nice modern rooms, good breakfast. Nothing to complain about.
This confirms that the problem I had for my previous stay was just an unfortunate incident. This hotel is back to my green list of trusted hotels ;)

Fourth stay there (3 nights). Very good as usual. Staff very nice and caring.
Rooms in excellent conditions, quiet and comfortable. Early check-in at 10 am was granted (I emailed the hotel the day before). Still a very recommendable Accor address in St Malo.

Not much more to say for another stay at this hotel over the NY period. 4 nights. New GM and front desk team. As good as before. Rooms still in excellent conditions. Room upgrade & drink voucher OK. Still my Accor address of choice in this lovely town.

I stayed another 5 nights there during the Ascension long break. France was not anymore in lockdown at that period, but still under curfew from 7 pm and restaurants closed.
Not a lot to report apart that the hotel is still good. Unfortunately, this hotel has joined the club of no housekeeping at all during Covid, even if you ask :mad:.
But they are happy to refill the nespresso capsules and minibar if you ask.
Welcome gift was 3 small local honey pots :)
Upgrade consisted in providing the Privilege amenities (bathrobe, slippers, etc). Welcome drink can be ordered at the bar but you needed to take the drink back to your room.

I stayed 5 nights at Mercure St Malo Balmoral over the new year period. No more Covid "for your safety" craziness around. Good stay. upgraded from Superior to Privilège room. Nothing special to say as I have reviewed this hotel several times. No problem encountered at all. Proactive and nice service, good staff. Still a very recommendable Mercure with rooms in very good conditions.

I stayed again at this hotel for 5 nights over the new year. This hotel remains very good. Nothing to complain about. I got the usual upgrade to Privilege room. The only thing I would mention is that they didn’t give a welcome amenity this time, while they were giving one during all my previous stays. It seems they are now following the French trend, unfortunately.

Another recent 2 night-stay. Still good. Usual upgrade to Privilege room. Welcome gift was back (see picture in dedicated thread). Only negative thing to report is that St Malo is part of the long list of cities in France where NO Accor hotels offer free Diamond breakfast during weekends...

In my naivity I was thinking free breakfast in the weekend was a real diamond benefit.
Here is the list of hotels that participate in the diamond free weekend breakfast:
https://all.accor.com/loyalty-program/user/hotels-lounge/index.en.shtml?menu=2

It's a real benefit in most of the network, except in mid-scale in France where a lot of hotels have decided to not follow Accor rules and Accor HQ let them do.

Another good stay. I was upgraded one level. Room was really large. Some furnitures were starting to show wear and tears. I posted the welcome amenity here :
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/37515930-post8.html
Still a pleasant hotel.

Good news : free breakfast is now granted for Diamonds during the weekend (true also for other St Malo hotels)