For three years now, my husband and I have stayed at the Mercure. The hotel has improved considerably from year to year and we are planning another trip there this summer. The staff is amazing and helpful (especially at the restaurant! Shout out to Bruno, Clement, Cendrine and Ladislas), the chef is amazing and the food is great, the spa is modern, the water sports on the lagoon are just a a few feet away from the hotel and the ambiance is magical. And thanks to Rudy for his nightly activities and events and great music. We did not get a chance to stay in one of the newly renovated rooms because they were still under construction last summer, but we are definitely looking forward to that this year...we peeked in and they look amazing! In any case, the hotel was clean, the room comfortable and we even stayed in a dulpex with a full kitchen on the balcony.This island does not disappoint and neither does the Mercure. Can't wait to see you all again this summer...

I do not want to add to the anti-French 'rant' of the previous review, but I too was disappointed with the Mercure St Martin.

Firstly, we obviously had an old room, which was uncomfortable in every way (bed, chairs, poor lighting, ill-fitting windows that let the mossies in, etc.) I expect the refurbished rooms are much better, but cannot comment as I didn't see one.

But it was not just that - there is no sense that you really are a welcome guest - the whole atmosphere is like an old-fashioned 'holiday camp', where the staff are just there for their pay... Unprofessional too: I had phoned to tell them of a change of date, but I arrived to find the reservations people had not logged it on their computer, and at first would not believe me and tried to surcharge me (until they found the guy who did remember my call...)

The bar was dirty, and what was advertised as a 'beginners Salsa night' turned out to be a DJ playing wierd Techno-pop music - no-one was listening so he just played louder....

This is all a great pity, as the location is fine, and the overall layout good, but it all seems so old and jaded. And I just hope the re-furb includes a serious rethink about staffing training and standards too.

Before I start Yes I Do Have Pictures for Everything Im Stateing...Where do I start...The Best Advice I can give is This If your new to the Country Please just spend the extra $ and stay on the Dutch Side (Simpson Bay Area) if your a Party Person, If your older and enjoy peace and Quiet then by all means the french side is where you need to be but NOT in this Hotel. I'm American and it seemed like I was a Burden for them to Speak ENGLISH to me like I was supposed to come there with a French Translation Book. And I can COUNT in ONE HAND How many of the staff was actually helpful to me.(The DJ, The House Keeping, One Bartender). The Room We Stayed in were Clean to an extent I'm sure the Spiderwebs and dust on the ceiling, chipped pant, destroyed outside kitchen 2 glass having, None Mini Bar(But that was Billed that we had it). Oh you know what Let me start from here, Me and My Brother Fly In on a Tuesday Literally we only see a COUPLE Ppl thats there checking in and are there BUT YET we get the Room the FURTHEST From the what you would call "Beautiful Scenery" I call them and ask for a better Room they say "There isn't Any Available" mind you I specifically researched this hotel and used the advice given to "MAKE SURE YOU REQUEST AN UPDATED ROOM" I did so and the response I received was "Oh the Updated Room cost More"NOW If a Hotel Updates Itself Why In the World Would a Cleaner Brighter Room Cost More if A they HAVE TO UPDATE THE HOTEL PERIOD and B No ONE IS CHECKED IN THE HOTEL WHILE WE WAS THERE!!!!" we haven't seen a lot of people till about Saturday!!!! so What does that say about the staff in the hotel...and if you think I'm exaggerating Think about this if A flag represents your home you take care of that flag and if any damage to that flag you replace it. This Hotel is represented by a Ripped Up Mecure Flag!(i have pictures of EVERYTHING). Oh and Convenience at this hotel? Not Really after we decided to Rent a Car they said it was only a Low LOW Rate per day (Not bad Right?), Well after the RUDE SPEAKS 0 ENGLISH RENT A CAR LADY Realized, Ok they not from here let me try to see if they take the bait she tries but fails to say oh it's (Charged More) a day (I guess she wants an 8 dollar rip off fee) then after getting a translator saids we have to put up a 1***USD Deposit for the Car smh Guess What we did, We went just a WALK up the Block found the Same Car at another car Rental for (Less) a day and a Copy of the Credit Card and License like any normal Rental company. Oh and Every morning for breakfast they served a decent tasting buffet, We didn't mind the stray dogs & Birds trying to clean the plate after a person got up as weird as it sounds. They didn't make you feel uncomfortable it was like they were there doing this morning routine so long that they learned to respect the guest. Oh the Building we were staying in was Behind a Pizza Shop Attached to the Parking Lot (Actually the Pizza is Real Good New York thin crust style) and on the side of a HUGE DUMPSTER That has Rotting Food in it garbage and construction trash in it Right Under where we stayed at. If I was able to Upload all the pictures trust me I would. My Best Advice is if your in a Jam and this is the Last Option just PAY FOR THE UPDATED VERSION OF ANY ROOM YOU BOOK. I think They Call it a Superior Room! and Rent a Car Anywhere but there and the Airport.

To me, St-Martin is simply the best island in the Caribbeans. If you have never been. you can't go wrong ; 35 different beaches, delicious restaurants and shops on the french side and party and casinos on the Dutch side, you can taylor your vacation as you please, relaxing, partying or both - the choice is yours. I love that freedom!

I stayed at the Mercure because the location is perfect : 10 mins from the airport and the crazyness of Maho, 5 mins away from the Marigot port that leads to Anguilla and St-Barts, 15 mins from the charming city of Grand-Case, it's on the Lagoon and at the same time just across of the street from the sea... But most of all it's on the quiet French side, not on the plane landing casino noizy Dutch side!

Here is my review :

The reception staff was friendly, perfectly bilingual, and even trilingual for some (I heard conversations ;)

They gave me a brand new room with a beautiful view on lagoon and the palm tree garden (30 different palm trees like some kind of a garden palm museum) I slept like a baby in a very comfortable king size bed. The design was minimal and chic. LED lights integrated for smooth lighting, white corian bathroom sink, designer toilet bowl and two shower heads in the shower...very modern with subtle creole touch.

We started our vacation with a couples massage at the hotel's spa. I recommend you do the same. It's a very zen spa and the therapists were very very good, they have a nice list of treatments to try.

Bar and dining area: I don't take all inclusive packages because I like to try different kitchens, I had food at the Hotel and to my surprise it was better then most restaurants I tried on the island. I am difficult and often asked to modify the plate and never I felt there was a slight problem. The presentation was just a pretty as it tasted. Every Friday night they have a surf n turf buffet : don't miss it!!!! It was 32 euros, fresh fish, rib eye, shrimp, salads, lobster bisque to die for...

I have to give a special mention to the staff of the hotel who was at all times, friendly, polite and professional!!!

We can't wait to be back at the Mercure next time were on the island!!!!