Mercure Hotels in Maidstone

Having not stayed here for many decades now I was hoping for better. It didn’t start well at reception when asking about the offer of papers in a “privilege” room I was told .. “yeah but you gottta pay for them”! An hour or so later I found the booking confirmation which clearly said papers included with a privilege room. A second visit to reception produced a comment along the lines of “I don’t know anything about that” accompanied by a shrug of the shoulders. Not a good start. I was also surprised that there was no hotel services book in room therefore no info on health club, meal times, operation of coffee machine etc. Even the very basic hotels usually have these. A question on this produced the same line of not knowing anything about it! The room wasn’t anywhere near the standard suggested and was extremely tired and not particularly clean with dusty areas all over. Windows were old fashioned aluminium which meant they needed to be closed due to the A20 nearby. This meant they were dripping with condensation in the morning! One of the bedside light switches was broken and was fixed after reporting, unlike the toilet roll holder that was also broken buy never got fixed! The duvet supplied was far too warm for summer and I have no idea why the bed was so massive but it was quite comfortable. The bathroom was adequate, no more. All in all, I think that Premier Inn rooms are much better and an awful lot cheaper! On the good side... The young guy in bar was very helpful on many things, perhaps he should have been on reception? The restaurant food was good in the evening, breakfast simply OK. I just wish those waiting on wouldn't keep calling everyone 'guys'. Because the bar/lounge and restaurant were essentially the same room, the television on at one end does nothing for the restaurant guests apart from annoy them! But the Health club and were pool fine!