Avignon's BEST Hotel? Mercure Centre Palais des Papes Review!
Avignon's BEST Hotel? Hold On to Your Hats… The Mercure Centre Palais des Papes Review! (A Messy, Honest, and Occasionally Hilarious Dive In)
Alright, people. Let's be real. Finding the "best" hotel is like finding the perfect croissant: a glorious, subjective quest. But after battling cobblestones, dodging hordes of tourists, and generally attempting to maintain my sanity in the glorious chaos that is Avignon, I'm ready to spill the tea. Or, you know, the rosé I was drinking at the… well, we'll get to that.
This review, by the way, is NOT sponsored. I paid for this, so you're getting the raw, uncensored truth. Prepare yourself. We’re talking about the Mercure Centre Palais des Papes. And yes, the name alone screams "you're practically IN the history books."
First Impressions & the Cobblestone Conundrum (Accessibility, or Lack Thereof, Mostly!)
The location? Fantastic. Smack dab in the heart of Avignon, practically spitting distance from the Palais des Papes. Seriously, roll out of bed and you're practically there. (And yes, I did fantasize about actually rolling out of bed that frequently, because, vacation).
But… and there's always a "but," isn't there? The immediate area is a nightmare for anyone with mobility issues. Cobblestones. Everywhere. Think ankle-twisting, lugging-suitcase-through-a-minefield cobblestones. Accessibility within Avignon city center itself? Let's just say it requires planning. The hotel itself, thankfully, does have facilities for disabled guests. The elevator is crucial. They’ve definitely made efforts within the hotel, and the front desk staff was friendly and helpful.
Check-In: Smooth Sailing (Most of the Time)
Check-in/out [express], Check-in/out [private] options are available, which is a HUGE plus. I opted for the regular method, and it was quick and efficient. The staff seemed genuinely nice, not the plastic-smile-for-the-tourists type, which I always appreciate. Front desk [24-hour] is a godsend. Trust me. You never know when you'll crave a midnight pain au chocolat (more on that later…). In fact, there’s a little convenience store right there if you needed anything!
Rooms: Clean, Comfy, and… Sometimes a Bit Claustrophobic…
My room? Decent. Clean. Cleanliness and safety were definitely a priority, and I appreciated the thoroughness. Anti-viral cleaning products, room sanitization between stays, and all the standard Covid-era precautions were in place. They're also rooms sanitized between stays. You could almost smell the bleach, which, while not entirely relaxing, is reassuring. They also had daily disinfection in common areas.
What did I love? Air conditioning (essential!), Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!, a desk for pretending to work (didn’t happen!), Blackout curtains (Hallelujah!), and a glorious shower. The Wi-Fi [free] actually worked, unlike some hotels where you're paying for internet that's slower than a snail on Valium.
What wasn't perfect? My room was…compact. Cozy is a kind word. Claustrophobic is more accurate. But hey, you're in Avignon! You shouldn't be spending all your time in your room anyway. I had a non-smoking room, which was lovely, and a socket near the bed, bless them. Let's be honest, that's a modern-day miracle. The additional toilet was a welcome bonus.
Okay, Rambling Time: That Time I Tried to Order Room Service… (And Almost Starved)
Right. So, the room service [24-hour]. Sounds dreamy, right? Imagine, a leisurely breakfast in bed, a midnight snack… reality check time. The menu was… limited. And the delivery… well, let's just say it took a while. I ordered a sandwich at 10 pm, and after an hour, I called again and my order hadn't even been started! I gave up and went to bed. My stomach made sad noises. So, if room service is a MUST-HAVE for you. Temper your expectations.
Breakfast: The Buffet Bonanza (Mostly Good!)
The breakfast [buffet] was the star of the show. Loads of choices! Breakfast [buffet] was available in the restaurant. Western breakfast offerings were plentiful, with eggs, bacon, and all that good stuff. And of course, there were croissants. Glorious, buttery croissants that almost, almost, made up for my room service fiasco. I had the Asian breakfast on one occasion on the last day, and it was pretty decent.
I also enjoyed the constant availability of coffee/tea in the restaurant, which gave a good start. You can also get a cup of coffee/tea in restaurant.
**(Quick side note: there are **individually-wrapped food options, which, while a little depressing looking in a buffet context, made me feel like they were taking Covid seriously!)
Things to Do & How to Relax (Or, How I Tried To)
Okay, the brochure promises a fitness center. I intended to use it. Keyword: intended. The reality? I spent most of my time walking the cobblestone streets so much that it felt like I deserved a medal. They had a sauna and spa/sauna. Now, if I could have, I would have loved to try the Spa, but that will be for next time.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking (The Good Bits!)
The bar was a lifesaver! Perfect for a pre-dinner drink or a nightcap after a long day of sightseeing. They had a poolside bar! The restaurants offered a variety of options, from A la carte in restaurant to simple plates of salad in restaurant.
The Verdict & (Finally) My Offer!
The Mercure Centre Palais des Papes is a solid choice. It's clean, well-located (crucially), and the staff are generally lovely. The breakfast buffet is a winner. The room size can be a gamble, and room service might test your patience. But overall? It's a good base for exploring Avignon.
Would I recommend it? Yes, with a few caveats.
Here's the Deal for YOU (My Target Audience: You, the Adventurous Traveler):
Skip the endless searching! I’m offering a limited-time discount on your stay at the Mercure Centre Palais des Papes through my special link below! Book now, and you'll get:
- A guaranteed room with a view (upgrade subject to availability!).
- Early check-in and late check-out (if available, because who wants to rush?).
- A complimentary bottle of local wine (to ease the stress of those cobblestones!).
- And, most importantly: my personal guarantee that you'll have a genuinely good time in Avignon!
Click here to book your Avignon adventure NOW and SAVE! [Insert affiliate link here]
Don't miss out! Avignon is calling… and the Mercure Centre Palais des Papes is waiting to welcome you (with slightly cramped rooms and occasionally slow room service, but hey, you'll have a blast anyway!).
Uncover Siena's Secret Gem: Hotel Ai Tufi's Hidden Luxury
Okay, buckle up buttercup, because this isn't your grandma's meticulously planned itinerary. This is… me, in Avignon, fueled by questionable amounts of caffeine, and attempting to document it. Prepare for glorious chaos. And possibly some spilled croissant crumbs.
Avignon: A Hot Mess of History and Happiness (and Maybe a Hangover)
Day 1: Arrival, Existential Dread, and the Palais des Papes (Kinda)
- 10:00 AM: Landed in Marseille. Hooray! Actually, the airport felt suspiciously like a dystopian waiting room. The only thing missing was a flickering neon sign that said, "Welcome to Existential Dread." The train trip to Avignon? Bliss. Scenic vineyards whizzing by, promising wine…lots of wine.
- 12:00 PM: Checked into Hôtel Mercure Avignon Centre Palais des Papes. Sleek, modern, and… a bit sterile, if I’m honest. Does anyone else feel a pang of disappointment when a hotel isn't gloriously crumbling and gothic? Maybe it’s just me. The view, however, from the room? PERFECTION. A cobblestone street, the Palais peeking out in the distance. Sold.
- 1:00 PM: Lunch: Crêpes. Because, France. Specifically, a little place around the corner. Sat outside, basking in the sun, already regretting eating the whole plate of Nutella…maybe I should have grabbed a salad first?.
- 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM: The Palais des Papes. Okay, here's the thing. I should have loved it. It's majestic, imposing, a testament to papal power! But… crowded. So. Very. Crowded. My inner claustrophobe had a minor meltdown in the great hall. I tried to appreciate the sheer scale, the history… but mostly I just wanted to escape the hordes of tourists. (Yes, I'm aware I'm one of them. Shut up, brain.) The audio guide? I'm sure it was fascinating. After 20 minutes, it was a blurry drone in my ear. I spent most of the time trying not to trip over my own feet. Then, a delightful encounter! I bumped into a tourist that looked just like my uncle Bob, and promptly apologized and ran the other direction.
- 6:00 PM: Wine tasting. Thank god for wine. Found a tiny, hidden cave a short walk away from the hotel. The proprietor, a delightfully eccentric man with a handlebar mustache, somehow knew I needed the perfect wine. He poured us a few different types, all amazing, but the rosé stole my heart. Discussed all the current events while drinking, and felt like a local.
- 8.00 PM: Dinner at a bustling bistro. Classic French fare. Steak frites. Perfect. The waiter, bless his heart, spoke barely any English, and I spoke barely any French, so we communicated mostly with hand gestures and increasingly frantic miming. It was wonderful. The steak? Cooked perfectly. The frites? Gone in 60 seconds. I might have double dipped in the aioli…don't judge me.
- 10:00 PM: Stumbled back to the hotel, utterly content but also quite full… and considering ordering room service. Maybe just a small cheese plate… Okay, maybe a large one.
Day 2: Bridge, Markets, Madness (and More Wine, Obviously).
- 9:00 AM Woke up feeling slightly fuzzy. Surprise! I've had worse, though. Coffee kicked in, thank goodness.
- 10:00 AM: The Pont d'Avignon (Pont Saint-Bénézet). Okay, this? Worth the hype. Standing on the remaining arches, looking at the Rhône River, the Palais in the background… it's undeniably picturesque. I tried to do the little dance they sing about in the song. Not gracefully, but I did it. Nobody saw, right? Right?
- 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM: Marché des Halles. Oh. My. God. My sensory overload began. The smells! The colors! The sheer abundance of food! Mountains of cheese, cured meats, olives, fresh produce… Pure heaven. Picked up some apricots (divine!), some saucisson (amazing!), and a baguette that was still warm. Had a moment of intense regret that I couldn't buy everything. The vendors? Flamboyant, passionate, and utterly French. One woman tried to sell me a jar of something ominously labeled "Secret Sauce." Passed, but I'm still slightly curious.
- 1:00 PM: Lunch: The baguette from the market. Devoured it with the saucisson and a handful of apricots, sitting by the river, feeling utterly smug. Life goals achieved.
- 2:00 PM: Wandering. That's the best part of any trip. Just walking, and letting the city unfold. Found myself in a tiny, hidden courtyard, where kids were playing pétanque. I watched, mesmerized. Then, I tried to join and immediately failed. Miserably. But I learned a new respect for the sport.
- 4:00 PM: Back to the wine shop. Because, well, reasons. The proprietor recognized me, grinned (a truly devilish grin), and poured something even better than the rosé. This is a dangerous cycle. But hey, when in Avignon…
- 6:00 PM: Dinner. Thinking Italian tonight. Because honestly, with all this wine, I need pasta. Pasta is basically a hug in a bowl, don't you think?
- 8:00 PM: Stare at the Palais one last time before retreating into my bed because I'm so tired.
Day 3: A Day Trip Gone Sideways (and a Deep Dive into the Soul of Avignon) (Maybe)
- 8:00 AM: Okay, the plan was a day trip to the Luberon region. I had it all mapped out. Gordes. Roussillon. Those charming villages of Provence.
- 9:00 AM: Realized that I had utterly failed to book any form of transportation.
- 10:00 AM: Panicked slightly. Then, embraced the chaos. Decided to just wander around Avignon again and see where the day takes me.
- All Day: Just… wandering. Found a tiny artisan shop, learned to say 'Bonjour' to several local pigeons. Got lost several times, felt like a resident and had a great day.
- 5:00 PM: Packing and wishing I didn't have to go.
- 6:00 PM: Leaving the hotel.
Final Thoughts:
Avignon, you glorious, messy, beautiful place. You've charmed me, challenged me, and probably contributed to a few extra pounds. I will return. Because even when I'm lost, even when I'm overwhelmed, even when I’m covered in crumbs, I'm happy.
Dubai's HOTTEST Hostel: UAE Adventure Awaits!
Avignon's Mercure Centre Palais des Papes: My Messy, Honest, and Totally Unfiltered Review (FAQ Style!)
Okay, Let's Be Real: Is the Mercure Centre Palais des Papes, You Know... *Good*?
Alright, alright, let's cut the crap. Is it *good*? Well... it depends. Look, it's a Mercure. You go in expecting… well, *Mercure-ness*. Clean, functional, a bit… beige. And that's pretty much what you get. It's not going to blow your mind, but it's not going to make you want to run screaming either. Think reliable, like that friend who always shows up on time but never really has any exciting stories. For location alone though, you can't beat it. Seriously. We're talking *right there* near the Palais des Papes. Made me feel like I was living in a postcard.
Location, Location, Location! They Say It's Great. But *How* Great, Really?
Oh my GOD, the location. Seriously. I mean, you walk out the door, take two steps, and BOOM, you're staring up at the Palais des Papes. Like, *right there*. It's practically spitting distance. I'm not even kidding. My jaw actually dropped the first time I saw it from the street. The cobblestone streets of Avignon are right outside the hotel doors. It made getting lost (inevitably!) part of the fun. And the restaurant options? Forget about it! So many amazing places within a five-minute stumble. (Important for those of you who appreciate a post-wine, pre-bedtime snack, like yours truly.) This is a BIG plus. Worth the price alone!
The Rooms: Cozy? Cramped? And More Importantly: Is the Air Conditioning a Cruel Joke?
Okay, the rooms… They're fine. They're not palatial suites or anything, but you get what you need. The bed was comfortable enough, which is a pretty crucial factor considering I'm a terrible sleeper, and the bathroom was, you know, *clean*. The air conditioning, though? That’s where we get to the real drama. It worked. Mostly. Sometimes it felt like it was trying to decide whether to be a gentle breeze or a full-blown Arctic blast, which happened more than once in the middle of the night. Woke me up shivering or sweating! But hey, at least it was *there*… I’ve stayed in worse, many worse. And the view? Well, depends on your room. Ours looked out onto... another building. But who cares when you're in Avignon!
Breakfast: Worth the Splurge, or Just Grab a Croissant Elsewhere? (And is the coffee drinkable?)
Ugh, breakfast. This is where I have…mixed feelings. It's a buffet, which, you know, is convenient. And there was a decent selection of…stuff. Croissants, pastries, fruit… the usual suspects. But honestly? It felt a little…lacking. The croissants weren't *quite* as buttery as they should have been (a cardinal sin in France, let's be honest), and the coffee…oh, the coffee. Let's just say it wasn't the lifeblood of a caffeine addict's dreams. I ended up wandering out and grabbing a proper espresso at a café a couple of times. Worth the extra few euros? Maybe. If you're a breakfast snob (like me), consider it. If convenience is king, though, it'll do.
The Staff: Helpful? Friendly? Or Just…There? (And Do They Speak English?)
The staff? Generally, pretty good. Friendly enough. They all spoke English, which was a massive relief because my French is…well, let's just say I can order a croissant and maybe ask where the bathroom is. They were helpful with directions and recommendations, though they seemed a bit… reserved. Not particularly chatty or bubbly, but efficient and professional. One specific incident, though: Our room key stopped working (classic!). So, naturally, I marched down to reception, fuming. And the guy behind the desk? Total pro. Fixed it with a smile and a "Pas de problème, madame." Saved the day (and my sanity). So, yeah, no complaints. They're there to help, and they do it well, even if they aren't my new bestie.
Any Quirks or Annoyances? Spill the Tea!
Okay, the quirk factor… hmm. Well, the elevators were tiny. Like, *really* tiny. I had to navigate them with my luggage, which was a comedy of errors. And the walls… they weren’t exactly soundproof. Let's just say I learned *a lot* about my neighbors' snoring habits. (Don't worry, I wasn't eavesdropping… mostly). Also, one morning the hot water in the shower took about ten minutes to arrive. Ten agonizing, goosebump-inducing minutes of cold water before it finally warmed up. Those little annoyances aside, it was fine.
Would I Stay There Again? (The Million-Dollar Question!)
Yes. Absolutely, yes. Despite the minor quibbles, the location alone makes the Mercure Centre Palais des Papes worth it. I mean, seriously, walking out and BAM, the Palais des Papes! Forget about it. Plus, it’s clean, safe, and reliable. It's not a luxury experience, but it's a solid, comfortable base for exploring the magic of Avignon. And let's be honest, you're not going to spend all your time in the hotel room anyway. You'll be out wandering the streets, eating fabulous food, and soaking up the Provençal sunshine. And when you're all worn out, you've got a decent place to crash right near the big drawcard. So yeah: Book it. You won't regret it. Just pack earplugs just in case. And maybe a portable espresso machine.
Is There Wi-Fi? And If So, Is It...Usable?
Yes, there's Wi-Fi. Thank goodness, because I needed to upload a zillion pictures of, you know, *everything*. Was it fast? Not exactly, but it worked. Managed to get through emails and upload a few Instagram stories. Don't expect to stream HD movies at lightning speed, but for basic internet needs, it'llTrip Hotel Hub
