Escape to Paris: Mercure Marne-la-Vallée's Luxury Awaits!
Escape to Paris: Mercure Marne-la-Vallée – A Rollercoaster of French Flavors (and Wi-Fi Woes!)
Okay, so I just got back from the Mercure Marne-la-Vallée, and honestly? It's a mixed bag of croissants, potential, and a whole lotta… well, you'll see. Think of it as Disneyland’s slightly less sparkly, slightly more real cousin. Let's break it down, shall we? (Brace yourselves, this is gonna be a long one.)
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- Keywords: Mercure Marne-la-Vallée, Paris, hotel review, Disneyland Paris, accessibility, spa, restaurant, dining, Wi-Fi, family-friendly, wheelchair accessible, swimming pool, fitness center, Marne-la-Vallée, hotel, France, reviews, travel, vacation, holiday, Paris hotels.
- Categories: Travel, Hotels & Accommodations, France, Paris, Marne-la-Vallée.
- Meta Description: A brutally honest review of the Mercure Marne-la-Vallée: Is it a Parisian paradise or a travel trap? Find out about accessibility, dining, the spa, Wi-Fi (oh, the Wi-Fi!), and everything in between.
First Impressions & Accessibility: Starting Strong (ish)
Right off the bat, the location is pretty sweet. Close to Disneyland Paris, which, let's be honest, is the main reason any of us are in Marne-la-Vallée. Getting there was easy, thanks to their airport transfer service (more on that later, it's a tale of two drivers). The lobby? Clean, bright, and actually, the staff were surprisingly friendly. Score one for the Mercure!
Accessibility: Now, I’m not in a wheelchair but I do know it’s important. And from what I could see, things looked good. The elevator worked (a major plus!), and there seemed to be clear signage. They have facilities for disabled guests. All that is good. Accessibility Score: Solid.
Rooms: The Good, the Bad, and the Blackout Curtains
Okay, the rooms. They’re… standard. You know, Mercure-standard. Clean, with comfy beds and those glorious blackout curtains. Seriously, those things were a godsend after a day of screaming children in the park. Pro Tip: SLEEP IS GOLD. They had everything you’d expect: air conditioning (vital in summer!), a mini-bar (stocked with… mostly overpriced water), and a safe for my (non-existent) jewels. There was Free Wi-Fi in all Rooms!.
- RANT ALERT! My Internet access – wireless, was patchy at best. I mean, seriously? In 2024?! It was a struggle to upload a picture, and forget about streaming anything. So, if you need reliable internet for work or, you know, life, pack a hotspot. Or, better yet, find a hotel with better Wi-Fi. #FirstWorldProblems, I know, but still…
- BEST PART OF THE ROOM: The complimentary tea and coffee. Because sometimes, a steaming cup of caffeine is the only thing that can save you from a day of Disney-induced mania.
- IMPERFECTION ALERT: My room, I think, had seen better days. The carpeting was a little worn, and the showerhead looked like it was about to give up the ghost. I'm not sure the cleaning between stays was effective.
Things to Do (Besides Disney): Spa Day Dreams and Fitness Nightmares
Okay, let's talk about the ways to relax and unwind. The Mercure actually tries to have a spa, complete with a sauna, steamroom, and options for body scrub, body wraps and massages. I was dreaming of a relaxing spa day after all of the walking and crowds in the park and was ready for a day of body wraps. I mean, all sounded promising, right? WRONG.
- The Spa: Sigh… Let's just say the spa was a bit… underwhelming. The pool with a view was so-so. The steam room was… well, steamy, but not the luxurious, aromatic kind. I didn't experience the body scrub, body wrap or any spa treatments, but let's just say my expectations were officially lowered.
- Fitness Center: They also had a fitness center. I went, I ran for 20 minutes on a treadmill, and then I fled back to my room and put my feet. It wasn't the worst gym I've seen, but the equipment was a bit dated. Still, a gym/fitness is a gym/fitness.
- Swimming Pool: Didn't get in there, looked inviting though.
Dining, Drinking & Snacking: A Croissant Crusade
Now, the good stuff. The food. I LOVE FRENCH FOOD. I mean, who doesn’t? And the Mercure actually delivered on this front.
- Breakfast: Do yourself a favor and go for the Breakfast [buffet]. It’s a spread. Croissants galore, fresh fruit, cereals, and all the other breakfast necessities. The coffee was also pretty good. Though I didn’t try it (I am not the Asian cuisine type), they have Asian breakfast as well.
- Restaurants: There is a restaurant, of course. I had dinner there one night (the restaurant is called "Le Café des Roses"). The food was… acceptable. I went with the international cuisine, so it wasn't super exciting, and it was a bit pricey. They have a vegetarian restaurant as well.
- Other Options: There’s also a snack bar and a poolside bar, so you can grab a quick bite or a cocktail. Good for a late-night snack (after you are done with the bar).
- The Little Things: The little bottle of water in the room was a nice touch.
Dining, Drinking & Snacking (Continued) - My One Big, Glorious Dining Experience
Forget everything else, and let me tell you about this one dish! One evening, I had a soup in the restaurant. It was the most incredible soup I have ever tasted. Simple, yet perfect. It was everything. I will never forget it. The soup was all I wanted: soup. And the staff did their best to make sure that was taken care of. The waitress, bless her, kept filling my bowl. I ate three bowls and could have had more! This ONE experience saved my review from being a total disaster!
Cleanliness & Safety: The Sanitization Symphony
I will say, the hotel seemed to take cleanliness seriously. You can tell that staff trained in safety protocol seemed to be doing their jobs. Hand sanitizer everywhere, and the staff were wearing masks (though not always consistently). My room was sanitized between stays, as well. This is important.
Services and Conveniences: The "Helpful" Factor
- Front Desk & Concierge: They were helpful, in their own French way. Not always the quickest, but generally accommodating. The concierge was great at getting us taxis.
- Cash Withdrawal: There's a cash withdrawal service.
- Convenience Store: A little something something for last-minute needs.
- Daily Housekeeping: They kept the rooms tidy.
- Car Park: Car park [free of charge]. Very welcome after a day in the park.
- Meeting/Banquet Facilities: They have all sorts of business facilities, for business peeps.
- Laundry Service/Dry Cleaning: They offer it.
For the Kids: Family-Friendly – But Not Always
They have family-friendly stuff – a babysitting service and kids facilities. The Verdict:
The Mercure Marne-la-Vallée is a solid choice if you're primarily focused on proximity to Disneyland. It's clean, the staff are generally friendly, and the food (especially the soup!) is pretty good. The spa is a bit of a miss, and the Wi-Fi woes were frustrating.
Would I go back? Maybe. If I were heading to Disneyland and needed somewhere close to the park, with a decent breakfast, and a potentially amazing soup. If my internet demands were limited.
The Final Score: 3.5 Stars (leaning towards 3) – Solid, but with room for improvement (especially on the Wi-Fi front!). Go in with realistic expectations, and you should be fine. Enjoy the croissants!
Escape to Paradise: Hotel Mediterrani Spain Awaits!Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's meticulously planned travel itinerary. This is… my attempt at surviving, nay, possibly enjoying a few days holed up at the Hotel Mercure Marne la Vallee Bussy St Georges. France. My sanity's on the line, and honestly, yours might be too after reading this.
Day 1: Arrival – The Great Eurostar Debacle & the Quest for the Missing Toothbrush
- Morning (Let's pretend "morning" had a specific start time… it didn't): The train from London to Paris was supposed to glide in like a silky dream. It did not. Turns out "high-speed" is a relative term, particularly when you're stuck in a tunnel for what felt like an eternity, slowly baking in the humid air. My carefully curated airplane outfit (comfort first, always) started to feel like a clingy, judgmental lover.
- Midday: Arrived in Paris. Chaos. Beautiful, glorious, overwhelming chaos. Managed to navigate the RER (after a near-miss involving a rogue suitcase and a very grumpy Frenchman) and finally stumbled, exhausted, onto the train to Marne la Vallee. Blessedly smooth ride.
- Afternoon - The Mercure Invasion: Check-in: smooth. Room: decent. View: a slightly unsettling glimpse of a car park. But hey, after the train… progress is progress. BUT. Where is the toothbrush? The shampoo? The sheer basic necessities I thought I carefully pre-packed? Nope. Gone. Vanished. Cue miniature internal breakdown. Went out to buy some toothbrushes (thank God for shops) and a small tub of toothpaste.
- Evening: Wandered around Bussy St Georges. It’s…quiet. Very quiet. Found a little brasserie and attempted to order a steak. Failed in spectacular fashion, ending up with something vaguely resembling a beef patty. Chased it with a lovely glass of red. Needed it. Ate it despite all odds, and it was good. The French food is just delicious…
Day 2: Disneyland Paris – The Triumph (and Trauma) of a Grown-Up Kid
- Morning: The Disney Dash: Disney. Bloody. Land. Okay, breathe. Managed to get up at an ungodly hour. Took a train to Disney park. Got to the parks early to skip the line, but the line was so long I literally fell over with exhaustion.
- Midday: Rollercoaster Rejection: Okay, I am not a big fan of rollercoasters, But I pushed myself to go on. The first few rides were ok, but the Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith… Nope. Nope. Nope. I'm pretty sure I aged ten years in those three minutes. My face turned into the living embodiment of a cartoon.
- Afternoon: The Spectacle of Dreams: The parade was beautiful; the music was great and made me cry.
- Evening: The Fireworks (and the Emotional Breakdown): The fireworks. Oh, the fireworks. Gorgeous. Magical. And… surprisingly emotional. All those childhood memories bubbling up. I was full on sobbing. Probably looked utterly ridiculous, surrounded by delighted children. But it was… good. After such an overwhelming afternoon, my inner child needed that. I spent well into the night in the park as I would not get tired to experience this magical event.
- Late Night: Took the train back to the hotel and I crashed. The combination of sugar, excitement, and pure, unadulterated exhaustion was brutal.
Day 3: Culinary Adventures and the Unexpected Charm of Bussy-Saint-Georges
- Morning: Slept in! Blessedly. Had a proper breakfast at the hotel and treated myself to a croissant. The best kind of croissant, actually.
- Midday: Hunting for Lunch: So, I took a train to a nearby town and stumbled upon a small, unassuming café. The owner, Madame Dubois, was a whirlwind of energy and sass. She didn't speak much English, I speak broken French, but somehow, we communicated perfectly. She insisted I try the "plat du jour" – a hearty beef stew. It was phenomenal. Seriously, the best stew of my life. I feel like I've been granted a second French childhood experience.
- Afternoon: Back to Disneyland (Oops…): Okay, so I got a bit… swept up. Went back to Disneyland. This time, I avoided the death machines (the rollercoaster).
- Evening: The Quiet Beauty of the Car Park View (Sort Of): Back at the hotel. Managed to find some decent wine at the shop. And, you know what? That car park view? It’s actually quite peaceful at night. The gentle sounds of traffic, the faint hum of the air conditioning unit… I’m starting to get used to it. The hotel? It's not the Ritz, but it’s clean, it’s comfortable, and it's starting to feel… familiar.
Day 4: Departure – Leaving with a Heavier Heart (and a Full Stomach)
- Morning: Sigh. Packing. The eternal struggle. Toothbrush still intact. Decided the last breakfast at the hotel.
- Midday: Train back to Paris.
- Anecdote: While waiting for the train, I saw a little boy wearing a Mickey Mouse hat. He looked at me and smiled. He's adorable. This little guy, he turned around and he was actually wearing a Minnie Mouse dress, he seemed very surprised to see me (like he was expecting someone else). I guess I should have known. This little boy, he was so adorable.
- Afternoon: The airport. Goodbye, France. Goodbye to the chaos and the beauty.
- Evening: Finally back home. The house is quiet. I have a mountain of laundry to do. But… that beef stew keeps popping into my head.
- Verdict: Would I do it all again? Probably. Despite the hiccups, it was… special. And I can't wait to go back.
So there you have it. My messy, honest, and slightly manic account of surviving a few days in Marne la Vallee. Hopefully, you weren't too traumatized. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to dream of croissants. If you decide to go to Mercure hotel, do it. It's all that.
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So, You're Thinking About Escaping to Paris (Sort Of)... at the Mercure Marne-la-Vallée? Alright, Let's Dive In!
Okay, Real Talk: Is This Mercure Actually Close to Disneyland Paris or What? 'Cause I'm Not Walking Anywhere!
The Rooms! Are They Actually... Nice? Or Just Beige Boxes of Despair? (Asking for a Friend... Me.)
Food! Tell Me About The Food! I Live To Eat (And I'm Hungry Now)!
Okay, So The Pool? Is It Actually Swim-able, or Just a Decorative Puddle?
Parking! Is it A Nightmare? Because Parking In Paris (or Near Paris) Is Usually a Nightmare.
Staff! Are They Helpful? Or Do They Pretend Not To Understand English Even When They Speak Perfect English?
Would You Stay Here Again? Honestly?
