Mercure Southampton Centre Dolphin Hotel 4 stars

We have stayed many times at the Dolphin but this time we feel standards are slipping. Breakfast offerings and variety was meagre and lack of staff noticeable. In our room, one bedside lamp was not working. After simple checks, it was apparent the bulb needed changing. Reception tried to help by giving me a replacement bulb but that was not working. Back to reception again for a third - working- bulb which they found and brought up to the room. Why didn't I telephone Reception? Because there was not a telephone in the room which is very surprising for a Mercure group hotel. We needed the lamp working as our room was gloomy with dim lighting. Check in was very good with efficient receptionists and they eventually sorted the light bulb well.

Have stayed here before and would have rated those stays as a 5 star. This night was booked at short notice. The room was huge but unfortunately very weathered and tired which came as a surprise. We did not complain as we were only staying for 1 night and the hotel was very busy with the boat show. We would still revisit but would check that we had a newer room. Staff excellent.

Lovely staff

The staff were friendly and helpful throughout which is great. I thought the corridors, communal areas of the hotel were really quite dirty when we arrived (floors not clean, dusty etc.) although the room was fine. The room was a little pokey but fine. Unable to get any hot water to shower, told this was down to age of the building and distance from boiler. This isn’t somewhere I’d necessarily book again in a hurry.

Stayed one night pre cruise. Very disappointed to see most staff not wearing masks. The breakfast was a buffet with every customer serving theirselves with the same serving utensils. Not Covid friendly and it would appear this hotel has no idea that the pandemic is still going on. Don’t stay at this hotel if you want to remain Covid free. Hotel is in need of refurbishment which you think they would of done during lock down. The service in the dinning room was poor with little attention paid to Covid restrictions. Was woken up at 0600 with noise in the court yard,

I only stayed one night pre cruise. I found that Covid precautions were not followed with few staff even wearing a mask. Despite the dinning room not being busy service was slow.

Fantastic! Staff amazing as all ways ! Only thing I could say place looking bit tired and could do with a bit of paint!

No battery in the TV remote, had to go ask for one. No plug for bath, main shower didn't work staff at hotel could not get it to work. Very poor paint work in the room. Very worn carpet in reception area. Very bad smell in corridors leading to room and in room.

Girls on reception very friendly, helpful with taxis etc. Good stay.

Hotel was fine and very clean but the wifi in room 117 was simply awful and so I struggled to work and watch any live streaming.

The staff are exceptional, very accommodating, my room was very comfortable and quiet

From the moment we checked in to the moment we checked ou, I cannot find one good thing to say about this hotel which really disappoints me,having stayed here previously pre pandemic when it was wonderful. The staff had no purpose and were very much lacking in any king of enthusiasm for being there.The bedroom was one of the originals by the rear path,right outside the smoking area,with a bathroom that was akin to a wardrobe.The breakfast was ok'ish not overly hot I have to say,tables were left uncleared and there was food all over the carpet! Enough said!!

Great staff good food but hotel needs updated

Tiny room, had tv remote changed 3 times!!. Couldnt watch tv from where bed was positioned

Nice staff. We were located in a PRESTIGE ROOM, i really wouldnt name it that,ground floor, looked to be a fairly new ish build. Entrance hall grubby. Room dark, i had to get quilt out of wardrobe and put on bed. Thumping music from up above met us as ee entered but luckily heard no more. Fan in bathroom ran for 2o mins after turning off. A lot of slamming of doors in early hrs, voices and loud moving around noises from above. Not a good nights sleep. Very pricey for drinks. Bar , i could have written my name in the dust on the fireplace. Only sandwiches available for an evening meal. Hence went to weatherspoons. Breakfast i must say was half decent, but only one household toaster for quite a lot of people. One half only working 2slices. Clean bedding towels ect, chucked in hall way on bin liners to re make beds up , not really appropriate in these times. Will not be staying again.