ibis La Rochelle Vieux-Port

There are only a few parking spaces, despite the advert, so I was told to leave the car about a 10-minute walk away by the aquarium. The walk itself wasn’t bad, but dragging a suitcase over rough ground wasn’t ideal. The elevator was out of order, so I had to carry my luggage up several flights of stairs. You can hear everything the neighbors do through the very thin walls. The beds are cheap, with noisy plastic covers. Save your time and money and book elsewhere.

The room was clean and comfortable, though very small. Staff were friendly and helpful, and the continental breakfast had beautiful cheeses and breads.

The rooms are modest, but clean and very comfortable. Staff were genuinely friendly and helpful, and made us feel valued. We also enjoyed relaxing in the enclosed courtyard with a drink from the bar. It’s easy to walk into town or to and from the train station. I’ll stay here again when I return to La Rochelle.

The staff were so obliging that the rough start to our holiday faded away. The air conditioning didn’t work, and the room reached 27 degrees, making it unbearable to sleep, like a sauna. The hotel moved us and apologised. The standard rooms are tiny boxes, with very basic, tiny bathrooms, but the location is good and the staff are nice and very helpful. Breakfast was excellent. I paid quite a high rate by booking ahead, and prices seemed to fluctuate.