B&B HOTEL Evreux

We had a cheerful evening thanks to the huge range of TV channels, and there are shops and restaurants nearby, with a KFC practically next door for fussy eaters. Our family rooms on the third floor, numbers 64 and 66, were dog-friendly, clean, and had quiet air-conditioning. Check-in was friendly; there was a problem with the booking app, but the desk staff member did his best to sort it out. It was our first time at a B&B Hotel, and we'll definitely book again. We skipped breakfast, though it looked fresh and nicely presented, without plastic wrapping. I also really appreciate their environmental efforts.

The bed was clean, the TV worked, and the self check-in instructions were easy to follow. Breakfast had a decent range, and the car park was large, secure, and had no height limit. It's handy for an overnight stop on the edge of town, near the main road and shopping centre. The air-conditioning didn't work, so with it 28 degrees outside, opening the window actually made the room cooler. The floor wasn't very clean, there were cobwebs on the ceiling, and the shower curtain smelled damp and mouldy. Breakfast staff were grumpy and rude.

The room was comfortable and I slept very well, but there were several problems during my stay. Sound insulation is poor, and I could clearly hear my neighbour talking on the phone. I chose this hotel partly because it's supposed to be non-smoking. When I opened the window for fresh air and sat at the table beside it, I got lungfuls of cigarette smoke from the neighbour's window. I reported it to reception and hope they reminded the guest that smoking isn't allowed in the hotel. I also couldn't see a smoke detector in my room, and assume the neighbour's room didn't have one either. I understand every room should have one. I wasn't able to check in online, and nobody explained why. I expected someone to be at reception when I arrived, but it was empty, and the check-in machine by the entrance was out of order. After a few moments explaining the situation to the helpline staff, they fixed it quickly, though it made me anxious. This was my second stay at a B&B hotel. My first experience elsewhere in France was so good that I decided to try another.

The rooms were clean but basic, and although ours was meant for four people, the space we used felt small. The bed and pillows were much less comfortable than at the same chain hotel we stayed at earlier on our trip from Spain to the UK. You'd expect the standard to be consistent across a chain, but it wasn't. The price was good, and it was fine for one night, though I wouldn't choose this particular hotel for a longer stay. I hadn't realised it was self-service. To get into the car park you need a code, but you can't get that until you've checked in at the machine inside. We had to leave the car, check in, then run back to it.