Res. La Barbacane, Carcassonne, Studio for 2 People

The room was clean, though it looked a bit old. For what it cost, it was okay. If you're driving a car with a rooftop box, though, good luck finding a parking spot.

The room was spacious, if a little dated, and did the job as a place to rest after seeing the castle. It's only a five-minute walk away, and the price was a bargain compared with other places. Bedding was okay, though the pillows were lumpy. Parking costs extra, and reception is open from 8am to 8pm. The kitchen has very few utensils, and there's nothing to wash up with unless you buy a cleaning kit. We didn't need to use any of it. If you're fine with somewhere functional rather than a Hilton, it works.

The location made the stay especially easy, just a few minutes on foot from the walls of Carcassonne's medieval centre, and we could walk there and back even after dark. Our apartment had a bedroom with a wardrobe and safe, plus an open dining and TV area with a fridge, cupboards, microwave, dishes, glasses, and cutlery. There was even a cot for an infant. It was January, but the room was nicely heated, and the windows looked onto a pleasant inner courtyard. The building has terraces, trees, and plants around it, and parking is inside the building with an easy walk down. We only stayed one night, but I was very impressed. Breakfast was available as a buffet for 11 euros per person and was decent. The receptionist was so pleasant and spoke perfect Spanish. I really liked this apart hotel, recommend it, and would happily come back. Thank you for the hospitality!

The hotel is really well placed for walking to both the Cite and the town. The river runs behind it, with pleasant gardens and the old footbridge leading into town. It's also easy to reach from the motorway, so there's no need to drive through the narrow lanes around the Cite. Free street parking is available nearby. We booked a huge one-bedroom apartment with a large lounge and extra bed, a separate toilet and shower room, and a small kitchenette. It was generally clean, though it needed a proper dusting, and the room and fixtures are a bit worn around the edges. That seems reflected in the price. The continental breakfast was good, and we could eat it outside on the terrace. The gardens could use a tidy-up but were still pleasant. Check-out was easy. The reception staff were very pleasant when we arrived. We could get water and wine from reception to take upstairs, and beer and soft drinks were for sale too, but only while reception was open, until 7pm. It's a good-value base for exploring. We've stayed before and would stay again if we return to Carcassonne.