A generic concrete building houses the Mercure Paris Tour Eiffel Grenelle. The hotel has little personality inside or out. Red patterned carpet lines the small, functional lobby and there is a functional front desk and ordinary black leather chairs. The bright breakfast room is slightly more pleasant, with floor-to-ceiling windows; however, Le Magellan Bar is in a small, closed-off room with a style that mirrors the lobby. Couples and business travelers frequent this hotel, with the occasional family passing through as well.

The Mercure Paris Tour Eiffel Grenelle is in Paris’ 15th Arrondissement, across the street from the Dupleix Metro station. It's a commercial district and there are plenty of restaurants and bars in any direction. The Eiffel Tower is within a 15-minute walk, as is Pont de Bir-Hakeim, but many other sights will require a taxi ride or using the metro. The Louvre takes about 20 minutes to reach by metro, Notre Dame Cathedral takes 30 minutes, and the charming Montmartre neighborhood is about 35 minutes away by public transit. Gare Montparnasse and the Champs-Elysees are 10 minutes away by car. Orly Airport is a 30-minute drive from the hotel while Charles de Gaulle Airport can take up to an hour to reach by taxi. Traffic can be an unpredictable variable, and both airports are reachable by public transit as well, often in less time.

Much like the hotel's common areas, the mundane, chain-style rooms are decorated in patterned carpet and dated wallpaper. Worn fabrics, chipped paint, and stained carpets are in need of an overhaul, as is the overall design. Wallpaper borders complement the heavy, outdated red drapes, and beds take up most of the space in Standard Rooms, though there is room for a chair in the corner. All rooms have air-conditioning and electric kettles as well as flat-screen TVs and mini-fridges, and some have Eiffel Tower views. However, rooms on the first few floors pick up noise from the metro. Bathrooms are average, with light tiles, generous vanities, shower/tub combos, and toiletries. We did spot dirty grout in the tub.

Cocktails and wine are offered at the Le Magellan Bar while the fitness center has a sauna plus cardio and weight machines. Room service and concierge services are available in addition to free Wi-Fi, and small pets are allowed with a daily fee. Cold and hot items are served for breakfast, but it’s expensive and disappointing, and there are meeting rooms, but no business center. Indoor parking is also available, but costs extra, and there is no on-site restaurant.