Firstly, the Hotel does offer good value with respect to the current prices in the UAE in general.
However, Al Ain is certainly not Dubai and although very pretty, there is not an awful lot to do. The more competitive prices in the town are a result of the compromise on location.
The Hotel is perched on top of the UAE's highest ( and probably only ! ) mountain which is on the outskirts of Al Ain which means that it isn't really suited for people without their own transport.
All Guest Rooms offer views across the desert and it is quite spectacular, especially at night.
However, this doesn't disguise the fact that the Mercure is a moderate standard, tourist Hotel. The public areas such as the Lobby Atrium and Pool are ok, but it is the Guest Rooms where the Hotel shows it's 3-star standards. Both double and twin rooms are pretty small and are in need of refurbishment and the balconies are even smaller. Another reviewer stated that it is "standing room only", which is very true and a great disappointment considering the location.
Service was painfully slow at the Bar and Restaurant and the quality of food was diabolical, albeit relatively cheap.
If you really want to visit Al Ain for a few nights, my advice would be to stay at one of the other Resort Hotels in the Town Centre and visit Jebel Hafeet for an afternoon. The Mercure charges 65 dhs to use the Pool for the day, alternatively the parking area at the Mountain Peak is free.

We live in Abu Dhabi and work in Dubai and whenever we want to get away from it all in the cities we always take a weekend break at this hotel. Its competitive and the views are amazing. The pool and pool bar are brilliant. It is always a few degrees cooler up on the mountain top. The food in the outside terrace is best and the shisha tent is good although it could do with more atmosphere. The hotel looks and feels a bit 70's but overall it is a great experience. The rooms are OK and comfortable. Ask for a room overlooking the pool they have a view that is amazing overlooking Al Ain and Oman. Go for a chill out weekend but remember alot of locals go at the weekend.
I would also reccomend a trip to Al Ain Zoo it is the best in the Gulf and on the doorstep of this hotel.

We've just returned from a weeks break at this hotel and I would agree that it's very good value for money compared to many others UAE hotels. Having toured and stayed in the UAE and Oman many times during the past 5 years we wanted somewhere not so pricey this time whilst being guaranteed the sun. And that is exactly what the Mercure delivers - good value.
Good points - Exceptional views from Jebel Hafeet, large room (deluxe) kept very clean and good evening buffet choice.
Not so good points - Unwelcoming reception staff and inconsistent replies to queries re extending our check out time. "No cannot the hotel is full and we need your room"....to ....." no problem Madam, you can extend until 3pm"
My visions of sitting having a drink at sunset on my balcony were shattered, as the balcony was so tiny no furniture was able to fit out there - standing room only. Daytime food and room service menu's very limited. Room service menu advertises, pasta with any choice of sauce you wish. We rang and ordered only to be told "we only have two choices of sauce Madam". Also,we were told half way through breakfast service that the orange juice "was all finished" and at dinner on 3 seperate ocasions that "the red wine and white wine is now all gone Sir". How does that happen in an international hotel? Little wonder that many of the staff appear apathetic to your requests as they must be so sick of bearing the brunt of the guests frustrations? Hence service appears very slow and disorganised.
We couldn't help feeling that this was a huge missed opportunity . They have undoubtedly bagged one of the most unique locations in the UAE and this hotel could therefore be one of the most sought after places to stay. The fact that both our taxi drivers, going out and returning to the airport hadn't heard of it, suggests otherwise. It's the attention to detail that is lacking, which after three or four days, perhaps begins to grate. This could so easily be corrected.
To summarise, I would say, go if you want a good value, relaxing two night break in a fantastic location. If you want a weeks holiday however, you may want to pay a little more and stay in one of the other hotels such as the Rotana or the Intercontinental and merely visit this hotel for lunch (allow time for the slow service though!) and the brilliant views. Which on reflection, we wished we had done.

Al Ain is cool, so green and 'established', unlike Dubai (mostly a construction site). Yes Jebel Hafeet is very nice, but no need to stay in Mercure just for that reason, you can easily go there for an outing by car. Also go to the 'Hanging Gardens' very nice, the climb can be scary, but you do not have to go all the way. Hahaha, we got stuck on the way back, drop-downs of 10m and jumps of 2m's - we did not do it... returned via our little breadcrumb trail...

We've stayed in the Mercure in Dec 07. I was disappointed with the depleted state of everything. Sad looking children's playground too. I was really looking forward to tennis. And boy, the poor courts, no maintenance, so cracks the size of canyons. The service and food were very average.

Friends of mine that stayed in the Mercure, Hilton and InterContinental before reckon it is all thumbs up for the InterContinental.