hotelF1 Chambéry Nord

My partner and I travel a lot and have stayed at many F1 hotels. They're cheap, and we know the deal: somewhere to sleep and freshen up, with the dog allowed too. We went in with low expectations, but this was the worst F1 hotel we've been to. We booked two nights and only managed one because of the extreme heat. There was no fan, and we couldn't open the window fully because scaffolding outside had people drinking and climbing on it. We didn't feel safe doing that, especially with all our belongings in the room. We left early the next morning and told the receptionist, then asked what to do. She wasn't helpful, so we messaged the accommodation to cancel the second night. The room was unlivable. We understood paying for the night we stayed and used the facilities, but we left well before checkout and explained why we couldn't stay. The accommodation is still refusing to compensate us for the second night, despite the shocking conditions. For comfort and security, it's worth paying a bit more for another budget hotel.

We paid 120€ a night, but it didn't feel like value for money. The place was full and very noisy, and housekeeping started knocking on doors at 8:30 am. Even with the do not disturb sign up, you could still hear staff knocking on every door. Breakfast was advertised as unlimited, but when we came an hour and a half before service ended, much of the food was gone: no croissants or buns, just toast and some industrial bread. When we asked, the staff simply said that's how it is. Renovation seems to have reached the rooms, but the outside hasn't been done, and the ventilation and air quality are still poor. I knew what to expect from an F1, just a place to sleep and shower, but even the shower came with extra hassle. You have to buy towels for 3€, unless you bring your own. Disappointing to see how much worse F1 has become over the years.

The room was clean and tidy, and having a sink in it was handy. There are several downsides, though. Reception staff don't speak English, and the shared toilets and baths have no handwashing sink nearby or soap for after using the toilet. The hotel also isn't safe to reach on foot if you don't have a car. There are no pavements on the nearby roads leading to bus stops or shops, so the location really only works for drivers with a vehicle.

We ended up sleeping in the car for four hours in -2 degrees after the hotel somehow lost the booking we'd made through booking.com. Showing our bank statement and even the colour of our underpants didn't convince them. We asked for a blanket, but the receptionist said, "we don't have blankets in this hotel". Service was nowhere to be found. The only good thing was that the receptionist slept the whole time, leaving free coffee and croissant for breakfast if you dared eat them. I'll give them credit for warming the croissants well. Very French like...