We stayed at the Mercure Lille Centre Opera for a 2 night New Year break 30/12/11 - 1/1/11. It is a perfect central location right behind the opera house and you can't miss it with the 'Mercure' signs. Staff on reception so helpful, printed out guides of where to go and exact transport (metro) journey planners for the museums. Perfect for a stroll to the Grand Place literally a few steps away. Great 'continental' breakfast but actually had a few hot breakfast items and great cakes and cereals, enough to keep you going. The room (privelege, worth the extra money) was beautiful, massive bed, with a great view and lots of free soft drinks in the minibar. What stopped this from being a perfect review was a weird smell on the first evening after there had been a rain shower in Lille. It smelt of sewage in the corridor, which slowly filtered into our room. I complained down to reception but they couldnt do anything. Luckily it went in the morning, but just a forewarning if you're going in the winter / rain time!

Overall though I would recommend highly it was just a shame about the smell on the first night.

This hotel is in a great central location to explore Lille on foot. Unlike many of the hotels on the outskirts of the city centre (i.e - near Lille Europe station) this hotel has authentic old world charm.

I picked this hotel due to it's proximity to the Christmas market and was not disappointed. This was my first visit to Lille and was surprised what a beautiful city it is.

The hotel location was excellent and the hotel facilities very good. There is no restaurant in the hotel ( apart from buffet breakfast in the bar) however, there were so many good restaurants within walking distance it did not need one

We've just returned from a delightful 2 nights in Lille. The hotel is in a marvellous central location and beautiful compared to the horrendous modern hotels situated in the concrete jungle next to the Eurostar station. We chose a Privilege Room which is slightly larger, has free soft drinks in the mini bar, dressing gowns, slippers etc; we also had two balconies with lovely views towards the main square. The staff were friendly and helpful and there was a good choice of breakfast - although the cooked breakfast items were hidden under a silver sliding cover, in the corner close to the bar and the staff didn't point out that it was available - didn't stop us sniffing it out though!

Bearing in mind the location, views, size of room, staff and yummy breakfast, we thought that we got good value for money.

Other travellers have commented on the Eurostar station and it's true there isn't much there. A coffee shop and toilets before going through check-in and passport control into the departure lounge and a few vending machines the other side. They encourage you through to the departure lounge about 35 minutes before the train arrives - we did notice that they didn't announce check-in was closed until 15 minutes before the train arrived though - so don't get there very early or you'll be bored silly.