The Southampton hotel where Jane Austen danced the night away for her 18th birthday has been re-launched as the Mercure Southampton Centre after the completion of a major refurbishment and upgrade.It was in 1793 that Jane, her family and friends took over the ‘Assembly Room’ at the then Dolphin Hotel to celebrate her birthday.
Jane subsequently lived in Southampton between 1805-09, and visitors today can retrace her connection with the city and the surrounding Hampshire countryside through organised tours.
The Mercure is housed in a Grade II listed heritage building that has stood in the heart of Southampton since 1423, and the High Street hotel has survived Nazi bombers and architectural scars of modern development to be one of the city centre’s most cherished landmarks.
Jane Austen’s legacy lives on in the hotel with the Jane Austen function suite, where she held her 18th birthday.
The function space contains two bay windows, reported to be the largest in Britain, as well as two stone carved fireplaces, facing one another across the length of the room. The venue is capable of hosting dinners for up to 100, as well as for weddings.
The atmospheric 90-bedroom hotel is a significant addition to the Mercure network in the UK.
Mercure Southampton Centre is the 33rd hotel to join the Mercure UK network.
The hotel group said the extensive refurbishment undertaken by Mercure has been sensitive to the historical qualities of the building, ensuring the hotel offers a modern and contemporary feel, whilst retaining its historic charm.
Mercure Southampton Centre Hotel also features a contemporary restaurant. Using locally sourced produce for its menu, the menu is has a selection of wines specially selected for Mercure hotels.
