Holiday Inn Calais-Coquelles by IHG

The bathroom cleanliness is below the standard I’d expect from a hotel in Europe. Limescale and mold can be removed. I wish I’d taken a picture. Virginie, if you think the cleaning is remarkable, please check the bathroom in room 111 yourself.

The grounds and outdoor spaces are a real plus if you’re travelling with a dog, as we were. With a dog, you’re asked to eat outside the restaurant in a pleasant area set aside for pets. The reception area leading to the bar and restaurant is bright, airy and comfortable. Our ‘king garden view’ room was very clean, with a minibar, tea and coffee facilities, a few complimentary soft drinks and a couple of easy chairs. Breakfast had a great range of options, including really good pastries, and the ice machine on the 1st floor was great for an evening drink. We stayed for two nights. Check-in was slick and easy, and staff gave us all the information we needed. When we needed a bit of help from reception during the stay, though, each time it felt like we were imposing. We got the help we needed, but felt uncomfortable asking. We were also allowed to leave a car while travelling, which helped a lot, although it may not be possible for everyone or in peak season. The service can be inconsistent, but we’d stay again because it’s convenient for LeShuttle and welcomes pets.

The location is brilliant, right by the Eurotunnel entrance, and the hotel is a standard IHG. The swimming pool area, though, is in desperate need of refurbishment. It was pretty grim, with mold on the changing room ceiling, a steam room that didn’t work, broken lights in the pool area and a sauna layout that felt dangerous. If it weren’t so close to the tunnel, I’m not sure we’d stay again.

The hotel was just okay. It seems geared towards people who only stay one night before the ferry or tunnel, and that shows in the service and lack of attention. The reception staff didn’t seem interested in whether we were comfortable and weren’t welcoming or accommodating. The biggest problem was the fitness room hours. For some reason it’s closed overnight and doesn’t open until around 8 or 9 in the morning. There’s no good reason for that. If you want to stretch before a long trip, forget it. When we asked if they could open it earlier, around 6am, the receptionist just laughed and said no. That’s nowhere near the 4* service you’d expect. They only needed to walk 100 meters to unlock the door and couldn’t do it. Most hotels in the world have a gym available 24 hours, but not this one. A hotel’s staff are what matter most, and unfortunately they weren’t good here.