We stayed at this hotel for 2 nights in Nov 06. The rooms were very clean and decent size and we were lucky enough to have sea views which were fantastic (shame there was no balcony). I think the rooms even had hair dryers (important for us women!).

There is a large selection for breakfast including a good range of herbal teas. You could also eat your breakfast on the terrace facing the sea.

The staff were very helpful and even let us have a late check out for free.

Nearby are a plethora of restaurants (sushi, Italian etc) and a few bars

However next door to the Mercure is the IBIS which is half the cost (we paid around £25 per night per room) the only major difference was the IBIS didn't have a hair dryer or mini bar. If I were to stay in this area again I would opt for the IBIS.

Off topic
You do not need to carry your passport with you to exchange money as they accept photocopies of your passport at banks and exchange places.

We found we couldn't use our visa credit cards to book internal flights (this was with GOL and Webjet - equivalent of easyjet). The only card you could use was an American Express - so if you plan to travel around it's worth looking into getting an AMEX otherwise you will have to withdraw cash each time to pay for internal flights. With AMEX you can also book online with GOL and they conveniently have GOL online machines near the check in desks if you want to purchase tickets during non working hours.

Mercure Salvador is a good hotel to stay.
Room is very clean, right size, has a GREAT BED and cable TV with good channels.
Service is sometimes slow but very friendly.
The view of the luxury rooms is spectacular, right in front of the sea.
Breakfast is fantastic - although it is paid. All kinds of food for all kinds os tastes. It's almost a brunch.

It´s one of the newest hotels in Salvador, rated with 3 stars , but nearest to 4.
Excellent situation, full services, a terrace-pool over the sea, medium size rooms perfectly cleaned and lots of restaurants very near ( it´s interesting in a city like Salvador, with a chaotic transit most of the day).
For internet reservations, look after the " best available fare " on the Mercure web...unbeatable!

It's a great hotel, the breakfeast is excelent, the view from the window of the bedroom is worderfull. The bedroom is clear and modern and the staff is very gentle. Is a good option for vacations,because is near of ever turist points of the city.