Mercure is a French midscale hotel brand[2] owned by Accor. Created in 1973 in France, the brand was acquired by Accor in 1975, and subsequently became a centerpiece in the company's midscale hotel business, alongside Novotel. As of 2021, the Mercure brand appears on 949 hotels in 63 countries.[1] Outside Europe, Accor uses has the Grand Mercure brand, an upscale subsidiary of Mercure targeted at business travelers in currently 12 countries.
Company type | Subsidiary |
---|---|
Industry | Hospitality |
Founded | 1973 |
Headquarters | Issy les Moulineaux , France |
Number of locations | 899 (2021)[1] |
Area served | Worldwide - 61 countries (2021) |
Parent | Accor |
Website | mercure |
The first Mercure hotel was established in 1973 in Saint-Witz, France. In 1975, Mercure was acquired by the group Accor (then Novotel-SIEH) and became Novotel's complementary midscale brand in the group's strategy.[3]
In 1983, Mercure launched the Carte des grands vins where 80% of the wines were selected by Mercure's oenologists, and 20% were selected by the hoteliers.[4]
In 1989, Mercure opened its 100th hotel.[5] In 1991, following Accor's acquisition of the Compagnie Internationale des Wagons-Lits, the Altea hotels acquired through this deal became Mercure hotels.[3] Many hotel brands purchased by Accor throughout the 1990s (Parthénon, Libertel, Jardins de Paris, Frantour, All Seasons) were turned into Mercure hotels.[6] By 2001, 655 Mercure hotels were in operation worldwide.[3]
In 2007, following the launch of Accor's new brands MGallery, Pullman and All Seasons, the group allocated several of its Mercure-branded locations to the development of those new brands.[7] Foreign wines were also introduced for the first time in the Carte des grands vins.[8]
In 2010, Mercure launched a global refurbishment program (Dédicaces).[9] The rooms were modernized, and the cost of renovation was minimized thanks to new industrial methods (modules).[10] A design catalogue enabled hoteliers to choose from a variety of style options. The Grands vins Mercure became Cave & Saveurs.[11] Breakfast became gluten-free with local products only.[12]
In 2011, Accor signed a deal with Jupiter Hotels in the UK to turn 24 hotels into Mercure hotels.[13] In 2012, Mercure opened in China the first Grand Mercure branded Mei Jue for the Chinese market.[14] In 2015, Mercure launched in Colombia[15] and opened 3 Grand Mercure in Brazil.[16]
Year | Hotels | Rooms |
---|---|---|
2023 | 949 | 126,074 |
2022 | 904 | 119,591 |
2021 | 899 | 119,007 |
2020 | 875 | 114,926 |
2019 | 842 | 110,228 |
2018 | 810 | 104,969 |
2017 | 779 | 100,160 |
2016 | 747 | 95,894 |
2015 | 741 | 93,897 |
2014 | 711 | 89,203 |
2013 | 758 | 95,571 |
2012 | 804 | 99,853 |
2011 | 773 | 94,813 |
Media related to Mercure hotels at Wikimedia Commons