Valenciennes Apartments

I wanted to love this place! I wouldn’t have traveled to the middle of nowhere had I thought I would have had un unsatisfactory visit. My expectation was to have a relaxing spa weekend. I went directly to the spa for my first service after check in. The staff were very warm and friendly but I was very disappointed with the facial. I paid 110€ basically for mud to sit and dry on my face for an hour. No shoulder massage during. After the spa was dinner time. I emailed 4 days before my arrival for a reservation. I was told to wait 30 min when I arrived there was only one other table. The food was another disappointment but based on other reviews I read this wasn’t a big surprise. I started with a cold eggplant parmigiana really lacking flavor, the pasta was a heavy butter sauce overly salty. Well, time for a good nights rest. I tuck into my suit which I paid to for an upgrade. The bed was too firm for my backs liking. I woke the next day with a painful back I thought I would go to the spa for a massage but based on the previous day thought I would be left with another disappointment. I decided to call it quits and check out early. As a compensation to not leave I was offered a complimentary cheese board. I really didn’t feel like stuffing myself with cheese after this disappointing stay so I left the cheese behind packed my bags and headed out of town. Overall, the hotel has potential to be great. The renovations were beautifully done. Perhaps lacking a bit of soul with the decorations but with proper management and design a well trained spa team it could be great. Wish you the best but this time was a big flop.

It’s my 1st time visiting France recently in Sept 2022 and had a few surprises from this hotel that I have never encountered in my years of traveling the world. Not sure if it’s a culture or service that I have yet to understand. Some pros: - Room was a good size w/ clean sheets, towels & good water pressure - arrived early at 8am & was check-in promptly. even had the chance to enjoy the breakfast - breakfast was a decent spread; I especially & thoroughly enjoyed the freshly squeezed orange juice from the machine. A good vitamin booster during the endemic :0 - helpful service staff who spoke good English to organize our taxi back to Belgium. The cons (based on what I am used to when I visit America or Asia) - the service staff ie front office, serving members of the breakfast lounge look comfortable enjoying breakfast with the hotel guests. Something I am not used to. They also looked comfortable talking and laughing loudly where there were clearly hotel guests trying to have a decent quiet breakfast. I was there for 4D/ 3N and always had the displeasure of having breakfast with the staff members. - I was told this is the best hotel within the city but I have seen better design & service from mercure before (ie Bangkok, Indonesia, etc.) Overall, a good stay but peculiar in their service.