This was the fourth time that I have stayed at the Hotel and I always use it as a base for Somme Battlefield tours. Once again the hotel came up to the previous high standards that I have enjoyed. Rooms are very good and the breakfasts are excellent. A good hearty buffet breakfast sets you up well for the day. Underground parking is a bonus. If I had to look for one one improvement it would be early evening bar service. There was seldom anyone on duty to serve and it was necessary to go and find someone. Other than that minor point I found everything very good. The hotel is ideally situated for the many excellent restaurants in Arras and it is so easy to find your way quickly to the the Northern end of the Somme Front Line.

Yes this hotel lacks charm,and for those wanting a traditional french ambiance this would be the wrong choice, but for those wanting a clean safe car park,a simple room that works,and a location close to the station ,an easy stroll to shops and the sights it's a good choice.Great market in the historic main square on Wednesday and Saturday.
Breakfast was suprisingly good (wide choice)for a chain hotel and for dinner try the nearby "La Couple"

We are regular travellers to France and have visited Arras more often than most British cities. No problems with the town or indeed the other hotels stayed in on previous visits. This time though we took a punt on the Mercure, simply because we had got good deals with the chain at other hotels in the group on this particular trip. Deal was 95 euros for the three of us ex breakfast (13 euros each extra per adult, half price for our 6 year old).
What a soulless place this was, a perfunctiory greeting and up to our room where to our joy after a six hour drive we found the water was off at the hotel. Ok, maintainence has to be done but trying to get an answer to when the water would be on again proved nigh on impossible. Seven in the evening was when the first trickle flowed through...
The room other than this was fine, they tend to be so at Mercure's, it was the brusque manner in which guests were treated that bothered me, it was the "we are a busy town centre hotel and we will have customers anyway even if we treat you like dirt" attitude. There are nicer hotels in this town......

Stayed 3 nights at end of June 2007 as part of 54 seater coach on tour of 1st world War battlefields. This was our 14th tour in succession and easily the best hotel we have used. Previously we have used Ibis hotels which were also good.
Unlike other Accor group hotels the reception was always available, bar staff always available.
Breakfast was excellent.
The only drawback was coach parking--very limited at rear of hotel and often cars parked "illegally"
We had to use parking in the Grand Place.
Arras is lovely town for all ages to enjoy---lots of good resturants and bars to enjoy.
We have already booked for 2008 for 6 nights.