ibis Styles le Havre Centre Auguste Perret

Breakfast was fresh, with a good range to choose from. Dinner at the hotel was just okay. The receptionist was friendly, but didn’t seem knowledgeable, for example about the difference between white wine and sparkling wine or champagne. The 1950s styling felt dated here. There was a fan but no air conditioning, and the bathroom and toilet had odd rubber flooring with visible signs of not being cleaned for a while. The separate toilet smelled bad. A baby bed was available, but no sheets or towels were provided for the baby. The hotel and room furniture didn’t seem well maintained or clean.

Staying here felt like a fantastic experience because the hotel is part of a historic building. Le Havre was heavily bombed during World War II, then rebuilt in the distinctive style of architect Perret, which is why the city is a UNESCO site. The hotel occupies one of those buildings and has recently been renovated while keeping its original character.

The room had plenty going for it: it was spacious, with a large bathroom and private balcony. The bed was comfortable, the water pressure was good, the Wi-Fi worked well, and there was a kettle with tea and coffee. I also liked the mid-century desk and chair. Breakfast had a good selection, especially the fruit. When the hotel was full for the first two days, though, the small dining area meant waits for tables and for cutlery, cups, plates and bowls. The staff worked hard to keep things moving. The location is excellent for sightseeing in Le Havre, with plenty nearby, and the staff were friendly and helpful. We were looking forward to the mid-century design in this postwar UNESCO World Heritage city, which is celebrating 20 years of UNESCO status and the work of Aguste Perret. There was lots to like, but some basic room maintenance took away from the Ibis Styles branding. The bathroom’s glass brick wall had a lot of mould. I understand it’s an original feature, but a deep clean would have helped. The shower head and riser needed replacing; it was hard to keep the head in place, and the end cap was missing. In the hall, a light fitting had exposed wires, the safe was broken, and the wardrobe door wouldn’t slide. With some work, this could be a great hotel. I hope those issues get sorted, and I have no complaint about the hardworking staff.

For what you get, the price is far too high. The building seems to be a conversion from an old hotel, and both it and the furniture feel very old. The lift is tiny and dated, and breakfast was basically nothing beyond a croissant. I wouldn’t recommend staying here.