Campanile Clermont Ferrand Le Brezet

The place is simple and basic, but I liked the electric key machine that makes it easy to check in at any hour of the night. I'd never seen one before. Great idea. The receptionist was very rude after the cook gave me a coffee just after breakfast had ended. She seemed set on proving I wasn't staying there, asking my name and room number again and again before finding me, all with an attitude. It seemed like a lot over one cup of coffee.

It had a motel feel, like something from an American movie, but it was clean and tidy. The staff were very nice, and the basic room suited us fine for a night on the road. It was what we needed: a shower and a decent night's sleep.

We had dinner there two nights in a row, and the local potato slices covered in cheese were really tasty. When we asked the chef about the food, he came out with vegetables to show us the ingredients, which was funny. Breakfast was good too, and the prices were affordable with good service. The rooms were clean, though the soundproofing wasn't perfect. We still slept well, and the people were extremely friendly.

The restaurant has clearly been refurbished, which is an improvement, but now the dated accommodation blocks stand out more. The place seems to have an identity crisis. I've stayed at Campanile many times because it used to be a cheap option, but there are now other nearby hotels at almost the same price.