Mercure Southampton Centre Dolphin Hotel - Southampton

This hotel is very old but has been updated. The accommodations are Spartan but for an overnight after a long journey at sea it will do quite nicely.

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

We stayed here after arriving with a cruise and were pleasantly surprised. Besides a bit of chaos around the "shift-change" (new cruise arrivals and new cruise departures) taking place in the lobby upon our arrival, everything was very nice. We had a room in the back facing the courtyard which was also nice and quiet.

Genuine Expedia guest review

Jane Austen stayed here - perhaps with the same plumbing? Our stay was pleasant enough, beds were comfortable, it was reasonably quiet, and the location is great. That said - it is a bit of an adventure getting from the elevator to your room - multiple changes of level, floors that don't feel quite even, lots of doors (probably contributing to the relative […] quiet) between the elevator and our first floor room (in the US, 2nd floor) with a view of the parking lot. In re: the plumbing - the toilet required two 'priming' flushes before it actually flushed, but other than that, no real issues. Water pressure in the tub/shower was fine. The sink, a clear new addition, was green glass and the water pressure of the sink faucet was so strong that the merest touch had it rocketing out of the sink to splash the mirror and stand. It took a very gentle touch to get it to respond without wetting the whole bathroom. Still, in all, for a 400 plus year old property, it is in reasonable repair, and the staff is superb. Our check in was quick and efficient, the young man at the desk was beyond helpful in giving us directions to get to the Premier Inn West Quay where our friends were staying, and also in the morning (he clearly works very long hours!) summoning up a cab to take us to the port in Southampton. Everyone we encountered in the hotel was friendly, enquiring at every turn if they could do anything to help us. A nice spot for a pre or post cruise stay, we'd come back. Read more

Genuine Expedia guest review

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Genuine Hotels.com guest review

If you are looking for a reasonably priced Southampton Hotel, the Dolphin is fine. Though an older establishment, it was clean and comfortable with a good English Breakfast. Within walking distance to the old town, it also had a convenient free bus outside it's front door.

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

The room was in an older section of this historic hotel, therefore more difficult to lay out with space on both sides of the bed, and a rather leaky door that let in the cold air. The breakfast options were rather expensive considering the other venues close by.

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

hotel is old but has been nicely refurbished. access to upper level rooms in many cases requires use of stairs despite availability of lift. the staff at this hotel is superb. our room was 15 minutes late being available. we were offered served tea and coffee while we waited. I requested that a document be scanned and emailed, very helpful front desk […] staff took care of it at no charge. The hotel is in an historic building. Read more

Genuine Expedia guest review

The building common rooms looked fine but the actual bedrooms were shabby with crumbling walls, big cracks, old nasty carpet, and for one of our party a cold shower. We were told the hotel has a dispicable practice of keeping the tips meant for wait staff if added on the bill. We will be tipping in cash from here on out.

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

The room we were given, although spacious and clean, was extremely hot and as the window faced onto a fire escape, opening a window was not an option. It was extremely uncomfortable. The view from the window was awful. The bed was comfortable and we had all the ammenities we needed. Had it not been so hot it would have been satisfied.

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

The room was small but comfortable. No AC but it had a big window that looked out on to a nice pathway wit flowers in the window. Bad TV reception channels would cut out frequently. Overall for a 1 night stay it was very nice.

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

We stayed here prior to a cruise. Excellent location just off the pedestrian mall and close to the port. It's an old property so not fancy, but clean, well-kept and interesting. There are several good, small restaurants in the block. House breakfast was good but there are cheaper options around. Southampton is worth an extra day if you're leaving or […] returning from a cruise. Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

Mercure is a mid-range chain hotel. It's not luxe, but I thought that the brand name would guarantee some kind of minimum quality. The hotel is rundown and dumpy. There's no A/C, and not because Southampton is coastal and doesn't need it. Our room on the top floor had one window, which opened near the floor with no bars or screen, so I had to barricade […] it with room furniture to keep my small son from falling out. There was one 10" fan on the desk, which never cooled the room. And there was no cold water in the shower. The front desk attendant tried for ten minutes, but nothing. The worst part of the horrific stay, though, occurred at checkout. I had chosen the Mercure because it was the nearest to where we were embarking on the QM2. This was my conversation with the clerk at checkout: "Can you give me walking directions to the Queen Mary terminal?" "The QM goes out of the City Terminal, which is the farthest away. It's several miles." "Are you sure? I believe that the QM goes out of the QM terminal." "No, it's the City Terminal." "But my e-tickets say that the street address is Queen Mary Way." [Clerk (pretends to?) check internet] "No, it's the City Terminal." I walked about 2 1/2 miles in 90 degree heat carrying a 60-pd pack and pushing a baby stroller. Yep, the QM goes out of the QM terminal, back right next to the Mercure. I walked an hour and a half out of my way because of the lazy, flippant, incorrect advice from Mercure. Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

This hotel has the most interesting layout I've ever seen. Original building is said to be 500 years old. We spent an hour exploring its "floors"... what a treat! Enjoyed Pret a Manger sandwich (short walk from the hotel) and cold beer from the bar in the outdoor breezeway; what a treat! Short cab ride from Princess Cruise Line dock.

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

We arrived at 115PM., only to be told that they could not assign a room until 200PM for check in as that was their echeduled time. Surely, a 45minute early arrival does not involve a great deal of upheaval. The lady at the Counter was exceptionally rude and condescending. Would I sty there again, thats a different question.

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

Please do not book this hotel. Its a total DUMP. Staff suck. Location is ok but the hotel is old and the elevators do not work most of the time. Frunt desk staff SUCK "Big time" Cusomer Service does not exist a this hotel. I wouls sleep on the street before I woudl book this hotel again.

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

it was not what i expected. will not go there again if I visit southampton. other than that...location is good.

Genuine Expedia guest review

The hotel is is in a good location for catching a ship out of Southampton. All the docks are within walking distance. The furthest might be a quarter of a mile away. The layout of the hotel is a bit random as there has been a hotel on the site since 1433! Each room is different. The rooms at the front can be noisy in the morning as High Street is a […] major thoroughfare. The hotel has a nice restaurant and bar also. But make a resertion and check on it as they seemed a bit disorganized. The surrounding are has a variety of other restaurants and shops including a large mall nearby. There are local sights like the Maritime Museum that are interesting to see, Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

The staff was very friendly and helpful. Location was very good with pubs nearby and shopping (on a rainy day) The beds were comfortable but the pillows were flat and rather hard. I will bring my own pillow next time. The staff was very quick to get us another pillow, unfortunatly, they were still quite hard. We had a nice stay and would do it agai […] n. Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

The staff makes this hotel a pleasant experience because they are so accomodating. The hotel is just fine for one or two nights especially since the renovation. The upgrade to the dining room is a major plus.

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

This was a nice hotel to stay at the night before leaving on a cruise from the Southampton Port. The rooms were very large, clean and amenities adequate. We didn't use the dining room but found a great pub about 1-2 blocks away called "The Red Lion" It has quite a history, is very quaint and had FABULOUS food for very reasonable prices. We got our price […] through Hotels.com and it was very good for the price!!! Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

fabulous location in old town of southampton england...short cab to the pier if you are sailing....restaurants(chinese, thai,indian,others) right across the street...older hotel....rooms spacious...our room on main street so a little noisy overall good experience if you can handle the evening noise

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

What a convenient and comfortable location to explore Southampton prior to taking a cruise. The room was confortable and the dinner at the hotel was delicious. All the staff were helpful and polite. All was neat and clean and the room was quiet for resting and sleeping and adjusting to jet lag effects. Will definately stay here again and recommend the […] location to others. Easy walk to the Red Jet terminal to enjoy the Isle of Wight as well as into town where there are some amazing shops. The actual Southampton Walk in the area was an intersting surprise as one can explore the history of the area with its connections to the Mayflower and Titanic as well as Roman past. Read more

Genuine Expedia guest review

Standard rate rooms are tiny. No AC--uncomfortable in warm weather. Clean. Good for a one night stand.

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

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Genuine Hotels.com guest review

Hotel in excellent location for the port. Comfy bed. Very helpful staff & excellent restaurant. Let down by dated decor in the bedroom & old fittings in the bathroom. (Bath very 1960's). Paintwork (doors) had not been cleaned recently.Breakfast expensive even at the offer rate of (£9.95) but the steak the night before was 5*. Town centre is run down […] & shabby. Parking charged for in hotel car park. Didn't expect that! Overall it is a 2-3* hotel, not the 4* it claims. Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

The location of the hotel is excellent. Right in the heart of Southampton and close to a few nice restaurants - Coriander very good. The staff were very professional and friendly. The hotel once upstairs is a bit dated with very creaky and uneven flooring. The room was clean and adequate with nice comfortable bedding. THE PROBLEM - I arrived late after […] a very long day and was given room 306. It was directly opposite a lap dancing bar which was open even later (I got in at 1.30am) and could not get to sleep because of the noise of people smoking and shouting outside the club. Eventually the tiredness took over and I feel asleep but was woken just before 6am by the noisy buses that stopped directly outside my room. Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

Right in the city centre so walkable to shops/entertainment/sea front. A very spacious room and the breakfast was great.

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

We found this hotel very conveniently located for our visit. There is a free and frequent bus service to the town centre, station and ferry terminals from outside as well as many service buses to the surrounding areas. Many bars and restaraunts of all types are within 100 yds and many more within easy walking distance. The town centre is only a 5 min […] walk away as are the ferry terminals and port. Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

A really lovely stay, the room was clean and nice views. The staff was really friendly and helpful.

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

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Genuine Hotels.com guest review

Great value for money, amazing breakfast for little money, nice clean modern room, bit small but didn't bother us, walking distance to the Mayflower Theatre

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

Very friendly helpful staff. Clean rooms and good facilities

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

Solid hotel. Reasonable room. Good internet. Bathroom and shower decent. Was allowed to check in several hours early. Definetely a decent place to stay for business trips.

Genuine Expedia guest review

Clean tidy, nice food, price ok due to deal.....parking could be better

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

our room was so small .and i have stayed at hotels all over the world but this had to be boardering on a single.but to be fair our freinds had larger room. but staff where very good .

Genuine Expedia guest review

Useful location for business trip. Good quality and for the cost.

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

Hotel is not nearly as bad as some of the reviews I've read before I made the booking. The rooms are new and nice and clean, perhaps I stayed in the recently refurbished section. You can tell it's an old building though as the floorboards in the corridor creaks badly. The on-site parking is a very reasonable 5 pounds and the hotel location is excellent, […] right in the middle of town centre, it's just the shame that we visited on new years day so nothing much is going on. Overall pleasant stay, would recommend. Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

A great choice before a cruise 8 minute walk to Pier.Close to West Quay shopping centre.The price was right and the room was spacious.

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

Very pleasant atmosphere Ideal central location.The staff were friendly and helpful The bathroom finished to a very high standard and quality.A very peaceful nights stay. I need to stay in southampton again in early Jan and will definately book this hotel again - hopefully at a similar price to the one paid for this stay.

Genuine Expedia guest review

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Genuine Hotels.com guest review

we were initially offered a room on the front of the hotel overlooking the busy road and opposite a bar. We asked to change to somewhere quieter. We were moved straightway to small room at the back which was much better and the following day we were moved to a larger room at the back of the hotel. The weekend we were there it poured down with rain non […] stop. Consequently we ate in the hotel's restaurant on two nights, and the food and service were good. Would recommend this hotel to anyone wanting to stay in the centre of Southampton. The car park at the back is also very useful. Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

We have stayed here on 3 occasions, visiting our daughter who is at university in Southampton. The location is excellent, steps away from the excellent shopping, and a five minute walk from Oxford Street where there are several decent restaurants. We did eat in the hotel for the first time, but were not terribly impressed with the service. We were put […] at a table right next to the door going on to the street, even though the restaurant was empty. The side plates were never cleared throughout the meal, even though we piled them at the end of the table (there were 5 of us for dinner). We had to keep asking for drinks, as nobody came to offer, and when coffee came without petit fours as were promised on the menu we were told, sorry, we don't have any of those! Five minutes later they appeared. The staff were very pleasant, just not on the ball and could probably do with a little more training in customer service. The bar was also not manned, but this seems to be quite normal as it's not terribly busy so no need to have somebody standing there. They are always quick to help though when asked. Generally a very nice hotel, modern comfortable rooms and nice staff at reception. For the price you pay the value is extremely good. Will continue to use. Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

Good as usual, one crititism, the put u up bed was really bad which is often the case.

Genuine Expedia guest review

Nice hotel. Good rooms. Great location. City centre just 3 minute walk away. I would recommend.

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

Excellent location 2 minutes from West Quay shopping centre. Ample parking at a reasonable rate. Superb location for exploring the New Forest. The room was clean and spacious, with a bath and a shower. Will definetly go back again as it was very good value.

Genuine Expedia guest review

A great location, being close to the shops and nightlife.. however, the flip side is that the area is still busy at night and can be quite noisey. Well appointed rooms but would recommend rooms away from the courtyard area (noisey).

Genuine Expedia guest review

Nice little hotel, just in high street. cozy and elegant. but it was to bad that the hotel wasn't able to provide the food they had on their menu, just small parts of it, so had to go other places to eat

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

Good location for restaurants and shops. Have to pay £4 a day for car park. Breakfast is cheaper if you book the day before but still not cheap. Our room number 005 was small. When you open the door it hits the bedside table.Only a small single wardrobe with the door opening left to right making it hard to access. Two small shelves in the desk. The […] hotel is an old building reasonably renovated, but quite noisy with doors banging and people walking in room above. The loudest noise is from the pumped water services that meant when any adjacent room used the toilet or washing facilities resulted in a loud droning noise. Pulling the plug in the hand basin resulted in water bubbling up through the shower waste. The receptionist said she would notify maintanance. I suspect it is a design fault when the rooms were renovated. Our friends paid the same price as us and had a bigger room on the first floor. Overall not bad value. Take your ear plugs. Read more

Genuine Expedia guest review

There wasn't any heating in the rooms on the nights we toyed and had to have portable heaters as main heating systems couldn't be fixed. We were not able to eat in the hotels own restaurant till 8 pm- even though we requested an early reservation as we had two year old children in the party. The receptionist was helpful but the service overall was  […] disappointing. Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

I still find it unacceptable that in 2012 you still do not get free wifi included; this should be standard for any modern day high end hotel. There was very bad mobile reception in my room, but that's not the hotel's fault. Apart from that the room was recently modernised, the breakfast a bit limited but of nice quality. Staff very friendly and hel […] pful. Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review