Hôtel Radio

The breakfast was nice and the staff polite, but neither could make up for the room: it was awful, noisy until 1am, and the bathroom smelled. This did not feel like a three-star hotel, and it was far too expensive.

The staff were kind and helpful, including offering to let us bring our own towels to Royatonic thermal spa center so we could avoid the rental fee. We also saw staff working late in the restaurant and back again in the morning, cleaning and helping in the kitchen. Some are older, but they were still polite and efficient. The hotel is just outside Clermont-Ferrand and has a lot of history. It has been renovated extensively over the years, and while the rooms feel a little dated, management keeps the place in good shape. Our room and bathroom were clean. There are old features throughout, including a tiny manual elevator that fits just two large suitcases at a time. We had to carry walk up the stairs to the second floor to collect our luggage, which was funny. The doors use old-fashioned keys instead of cards. It is less convenient, but we liked the charm and chose to enjoy the quirks. It’s a lovely way to experience the feel of a historic city. I’d recommend trying the Michelin-starred restaurant too! 😋

The room got loud very quickly, even with only a few guests in it. I could hear people across the room more clearly than the people I’d invited to share the experience. The food itself was good, but many dishes arrived rather cold. I can't understand why they don't heat the plates to keep the food at the right temperature. We’d been encouraged to try the restaurant, so it was a letdown. A few changes could make it a great experience.

The Art Deco details in the hall are very stylish, but the room we booked was in disappointing shape. It was old and badly in need of renovation.