Mercure Thalassa Les Sables d'Olonne

We came here as my partner used to spend every summer here growing up. He had always wanted to stay here but I have to say it was disappointing. Breakfast. There is no way the breakfast is worth 29 Euros per person. Whilst it was ok, the selection and quality was not worth the price. The room - we think the room above us was having work down as it was constant drilling and hammering from 8am all through the day. Our room was also not fully serviced when we entered, the mini bar wasn’t stocked fully, the kettles were half full of water. The terrace - grubby. I have no wish to clean the seats before I seat on them. The exterior pool - lovely but the changing huts are in need of cleaning they were FULL of cobwebs and spiders. Also no service at the pool. Also no suitable towels for the loungers. We had to use 4 hand towels to cover the loungers, hardly economically sustainable. The bars/restaurant were confusing. The food was good but I just wanted something light and the outside terrace didn’t offer anything of the sort. The location is beautiful but the hotel itself definitely needs some fine tuning. There is also just far too much ‘stuff’. It looks cluttered and is well over furnished. It just felt a bit tacky.

Arriving at 6 p.m. with friends, we wanted to have a drink on the terrace, in order to discover the new Sundeck rooftop. Hardly had we arrived when we were turned away by the bar employee, who explained to us that the tables were set for evening service... I am astonished by such a practice; the establishment had advertised this panoramic bar well, and we were happy to take our friends there.. Given that it is not possible to come for an aperitif at 4 p.m., why create this terrace? Might as well say right away that this establishment is a high-end restaurant and nothing else? As a suggestion, it would be appropriate to leave a few seats for customers coming just to have a drink...

I go every year for a day of thalassotherapy with my daughter, and I have clearly noticed a decline in quality both at the thalassotherapy center and at the restaurant: expensive; there is definitely better in Les Sables for less. As for the Thalassotherapy, the staff's friendliness fluctuates, giving the impression of wanting to get rid of the service. Very small towels to dry off…