Campanile NATURE - Clermont Ferrand Le Brézet

I liked the electric key machine for checking in at any hour of the night. I’d never seen one before, and it’s a great idea. The hotel itself was simple and basic. One awkward moment came just after breakfast had ended, when the cook gave me a coffee. The receptionist was very rude and seemed determined to show I wasn’t staying there, asking my name and room number several times before finding my booking, all with an attitude. It seemed like a lot over a cup of coffee.

Just what we needed while passing through for the night: somewhere clean and tidy to shower and get a decent sleep. The rooms are basic, but worked well for us. It reminded me a bit of a motel from an American movie. The staff were very nice, and it’s a good stop if you’re on the road.

The rooms were clean, though not perfectly soundproof, and we still slept well. Breakfast was very good too. The people were incredibly friendly. When we asked about the dinner food, the chef came out with vegetables to show us the ingredients, which was pretty funny. We ate there two nights in a row. Try the local dish with sliced potatoes covered in cheese, it’s tasty. Affordable, with good service.

The restaurant has clearly been refurbished, which is an improvement, but it makes the dated accommodation blocks stand out. The place feels like it’s having a bit of an identity crisis. I’ve stayed at Campanile hotels many times because they used to be a cheap option, but now there are other nearby hotels at almost the same price.