hotel de la Paix

The lady who checked us in was lovely, polite, and welcoming, and when I asked to change rooms, she sorted it quickly and easily. The second room suited us better, though it had no air conditioning and the shower sprayed the ceiling because it was broken. We still managed to shower. The room we were first given wasn’t as appealing as the photos online. The front of the hotel and its location are lovely, and it was good value for a city stay. I did get the sense the place is still a work in progress. The pillows really need attention soon. They were paper thin and so uncomfortable that I didn’t sleep much.

The calm atmosphere, close to the market and just a short walk from the port, made this a lovely place for a couple of nights. Breakfast was great, with eggs made to order, fresh bread, cereal, fruit, yoghurt, cakes, juice, tea, and coffee. The rooms were charming and clean, and the beds were comfortable. The bathrooms might feel small for larger guests, but we were happy with them. It was also a big help to leave our bikes and luggage there. Christelle was helpful from my first call about our group, which included a grandmother, two cyclists, and a middle-aged couple. We had a payment issue that wasn’t the hotel’s fault, and she was understanding and helpful then too. She greeted us warmly, and the iced tea was very welcome. The lovely spiral staircase serves three floors, so it could be difficult for anyone with limited mobility. Merci Christelle et tout l'equipe. On a passé un tres joiie sejour avec vous.

I booked a superior room, but it didn’t feel superior at all. We wanted a king-size bed and tried to clear up the mix-up at check-in, but the receptionist ignored our request. We were put in room no. 27, with separate beds, old mismatched furniture, a fixed shower head mounted very high instead of a flexible hose, and parquet flooring broken in places. It was a very disappointing stay.

The location was the best, and I had a wonderful time. My room was perfect for me, though many Americans might find it too small and the stairs too much. It’s a GREAT place if you like a real sense of history. Very clean, and the staff were really nice and helpful.