Mercure (hotel)

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]