Mercure Southampton Centre Dolphin Hotel 4 stars

Very good value but there was no hot water for a shower on the first night. It was only available the next day. Breakfast was enjoyable with good service. We would stay there again. We were impressed with the facilities for our Hearing Dog.

Staff were friendly on arrival. Quaint historical room, understandably small. Carpet was soiled and rippled up in waves, perhaps as a nod to the seafaring town! There was no wifi, no information in the room. Bathroom had nowhere to put a toothbrush, let alone a shave kit or hang a hand towel. Understood the wait for hot water, but taps were dodgy and the “hot” water never really arrived and the temperature in the shower was very unstable. Nowhere to open cases, luckily this was not an issue as it was our last night. Very noisy as the path was a well used cobble thoroughfare, and as it was very stuffy with no window that opened, this meant resting in our room with the door jammed open with a suitcase. Preferring not to sleep with a fan made for a hot and stuffy night as no window could be opened. The bed was lumpy and uncomfortable and quite small, possibly due to the size of the room, which is understandable. The noise stopped at night, however it was not easy to sleep due to the light in the passageway that could not be blocked out. This was quite disturbing for a nights rest before a very long flight. It did however aid in waking very early next morning. On check out, we were told we still owed money for the room. The room had been paid in full using cash and membership points several months prior to our visit. We explained that no, this was not the case, and that on checkin we were informed that there was no further charge. The gentleman on the desk insisted that we owed money and this was causing some distress, particularly after a rather ordinary night’s sleep. Finally a second member of staff came into the discussion. I mentioned that we had a print out of the account in nil balance, this had been disposed of once we had acquired our room. We were asked to produce this, so I returned down the passageway, unlocked our room and retrieved this from the bin. At last, validated as not highwaymen at large at all but rather, honest travellers, and loyal members of the Accor group. Charming and interesting history, great it is preserved, sadly a very disappointing experience when we had chosen a Mercure to ensure a comfortable final night in the UK

Stayed one night pre cruise and found the hotel ideal. Close to shops, pubs and restaurants . We were upgraded to a large room (201) and it was nice, clean and peaceful with tv and tea making facilities. The only downside is a lack of hot water to the shower but I am sure that could be easily remedied. Breakfast was filling and transfers to the cruise terminal on time. Our car was parked in the same place I left it and not moved off site which was pleasant to find on our return. Would stay again if staying or cruising in/from Southampton .

Excellent stay as always, there was a problem with my booking which Lauren dealt with brilliantly, breakfast was good - lots of choice, room was comfortable and clean

Overall very good ,lovely large room, staff very good,have stayed here before and would stay again. However I felt the parking cost expensive in relation to previous visit.