ibis Le Puy en Velay Centre

The public areas have started being worked on, and the bar and canteen were okay. Breakfast was okay too, and the staff were friendly. But the rooms are tiny, with minuscule bathrooms, chipped paint and mould on most of the grouting. They are long overdue for a full renovation. At over €100 a night, the rooms are frankly a disgrace. When I asked about renovations, I got an apology, but the hotel should either close until the rooms are refurbished or cut the rate substantially. A horrid experience. Avoid staying here until the renovation is complete.

We stayed two nights and had a good stay, with a very nice breakfast. The room was small by the standards we're used to in the US, but fine for a few nights. I just wish the AC had been on instead of the heat. We couldn't control it from the room.

We got a comfortable bed and a little desk in a small room. Ours faced the main road at the front of the hotel, and it was noisy at night with the window open for fresh air. Still, this was the best experience I've had at an Ibis, and I'd highly recommend it for a few nights if you want a convenient base. We arrived late after a long drive and weren't keen to go back out or especially excited about dinner at the hotel. The meal was a very pleasant surprise. My wife said her cheeseburger was the best she'd had in France. I had the fixed menu, a salad and roast half-chicken with ratatouille. The salad's vegetables, which I assume came fresh from the market, were bright and tasty, and it came with a baked flaky pastry with chevre. The chicken had crisp skin and juicy meat, and the ratatouille tasted wonderfully traditional. The buffet breakfast was another good value, with breads, meats, cheeses, fresh fruit and great coffee. Parking on site was gated and felt secure. The hotel sits at the edge of the old town, making it easy both to drive to and to explore the ancient buildings on foot. Everyone we dealt with was pleasant and seemed to care about our comfort. Their English made things easier when my poor French let me down.

The room rate is usually reasonable, but the tradeoff is clear. This is an old hotel in poor repair, and the rooms are so cramped that two people can't turn around unless one goes into the bathroom or lies on the bed. Bring a suitcase and there's no floor space left. There are only two outlets, tucked into a corner, with none by the bed.