La Citadelle Hotel Metz - MGallery Collection

The toiletries were genuinely good quality, and the hotel sells them at a fair price. That was a bright spot in a stay that otherwise needs a lot of work for an M Gallery. We booked a junior suite, but I didn’t feel the price was justified. The bathroom was cramped even for a suite, and the water kept swinging from very hot to cold when the tap was set between the two. The wooden stool in front of the bed was longer than the bed and had hard edges, so we kept bumping into it. The plugs are tucked under the side table, which makes them awkward to reach and easy to hit your head on. The air conditioning didn’t work, and although there was a thermostat, we ended up leaving the windows open all night to get air. The lighting controller is on top of the sofa; it didn’t bother me much, but it seemed like it could get hot and possibly set the sofa on fire. Parking was €18, which is standard, though I’d expect a discount for Gold or Platinum members. Breakfast was dull and short on variety, even though we usually eat a lot in the morning. The place was okay overall, but it needs major improvement to live up to the M Gallery reputation. The ones in Hungary, Budapest, are heaps better.

The rooms were a good size, and the blackout curtains worked extremely well. We also appreciated the secure parking, good food, and professional service from the courteous staff. When we thought a light wasn’t working, a staff member came straight away to check it. Child's clothes we’d left behind were sent to our UK address and arrived four days later. The dog bowls were spotless, but we didn’t need them. Also, the separate toilet had no washbasin.

For a one-night visit to Metz with four people, the connecting rooms worked really well. Both rooms were clean, the staff were friendly, and breakfast was good. A perfect base for seeing the city.

The park across the way made for a lovely view from my large, nicely decorated room, and the bed was very comfortable. The hotel is quiet and peaceful, with friendly, helpful staff. Nicola was especially helpful and even shared a little history of the town. It’s a remarkable place to stay, a former military stronghold from 1558, about five minutes from the historic town center. My room was impeccably clean, and the price was very reasonable. One of the most unique hotels I’ve stayed in. Highly recommended.