Le Chanteraine

Namur was fully booked except for this hotel, so we had no other choice. The room was meant to cost 80€ for Saturday night, but the receptionist asked for 87€ when we got there. We told him the woman on the phone had quoted 80€, and that was the price shown online too. We were put in room 1, probably the worst one. It’s beside the entrance, and there’s no door separating the room from the toilet. The room faces the road and was noisy at night. Someone rang the bell at 6:30, then people upstairs started moving around at about 7:30, and we could hear everything. At least the bed was comfortable.

I’ve never seen anything like it. We didn’t leave, we ran. Fast.

The owner was very kind, approachable, cordial, and welcoming, though a bit gruff. The room view over the quarry and greenway along the Meuse River was some consolation, and there’s a relaxation area where you can have coffee and tea. But the rest of the place made for a rough stay. The entrance is at the back of the building in a secluded courtyard overlooking the Meuse River. To get there, you cross damp, muddy parking spaces and a footbridge by a swimming pool that I’d strongly advise against even dipping a toe into. There’s a small garden to the right, shared by sheep and the owner’s dog. Inside, there’s a strong smell of stale tobacco, along with a pervasive odor from the 20-year-old wallpaper. The atmosphere felt cold, and hygiene was questionable. The bedrooms were just as cold, dated, and tobacco-smelling as the ground floor. The owner doesn’t seem to fully realize how dirty the inn is. You might end up with a room where the home automation system doesn’t work, leaving you without a light, or one that opens onto the emergency exit. The owner will tell you the system just needs a simple adjustment, but after numerous tries, we still had to use the bathroom light or our phone flashlight. The shower can be temperamental too, with the water swinging from boiling hot to freezing cold. And try to sleep early, because workers with drills and hammers may wake you at 7:00 a.m. For future travelers considering this hostel, I obviously don’t recommend it. In my opinion, it needs a change of ownership and a complete overhaul of the rooms and the whole establishment. Find somewhere else to spend the night, or be prepared to compromise on comfort.

We got a very warm welcome, and the host was attentive to what we needed and provided excellent service. The bedding was very comfortable, and the rooms have a rustic style. There’s a small private bathroom, which is a real plus. Breakfast was generous, with two croissants per person and unlimited orange juice, coffee, milk, and more. The inn overlooks the Meuse River, and there are plenty of activities nearby. Excellent value for money.