Hotel Billie

The room was a real treat for us, especially the little table by the window and the view across the rooftops. We had a spacious three-bed room on the top floor with our daughter, and it stayed quiet at night. The beds were lovely to sleep in, the bathroom was cute and practical, and everything was very clean. We came to Nantes to visit family and spent a few nights at Hotel Billie. The place has loads of charm, with carefully chosen decor in the bedrooms and on the main floor. There was even a Christmas tree by the entrance, which made for a nice seasonal atmosphere. The staff were warm and welcoming, and could speak other languages if needed. The location made it easy to reach city sights on foot, including theatre Graslin, les machines de l’île, passage de la Pommeraie, and chateaux des ducs de Bretagne. There are also plenty of places for French food nearby, like Emma, la Cigale, and aux merveilleux de Fred. We had a fantastic time and would happily come back.

The hotel is stylish and very clean, with friendly staff and comfortable beds. Our room had a true balcony overlooking the street, the only one of its kind; other rooms have a juliette balcony in the corner rooms. The shower had strong pressure and plenty of hot water. Rooms are small but thoughtfully laid out, with lots of sockets and a TV with many channels. Casting from my device didn’t work, though the option was there. We needed the air conditioning, as the room got stuffy without it. The temperature was fixed at 21, which was enough, but the unit was quite noisy. Breakfast is a continental buffet with a good selection, though nearby places serve more substantial meals. The location is excellent, seconds from Graslin Square. Hotel Dieu is about a 13-minute walk for the Airport Bus. Machines de l'Ile is around 16 minutes away on foot, and most other sights are a similar distance. The central station and jardins des plantes are a little farther. La Cigale restaurant is just five minutes away, and I highly recommend it. Great choice for a short break.

I was disappointed after arriving with high hopes. The room was so cramped I could barely move, and opening the door meant hitting the toilet. It also looked old and scratched up. There wasn’t any water in the room, so I asked and was told to go downstairs and get it myself. The breakfast cost 15 euros, but it was cold food in a small alcove that also served as the staff’s open snack bar. During breakfast I watched staff help themselves to food and make coffee, and one housekeeper put a whole loaf of bread in her bag. Staff should be fed, but not from the guest buffet while guests are eating. The staff’s casual attitude was shocking. They sat around on their phones, leaned on walls, and ignored guests. The housekeepers were the loudest I’ve ever encountered in a lifetime of travel, basically yelling in the halls every day from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. I asked them to quiet down while I tried to nap, and they ignored me. They also filled the entire tiny hallway with supplies.

The staff were friendly and attentive, and the rooms were comfortable. You can use either the stairs or the lift. There was some initial confusion over our rooms, but it was sorted out quickly and efficiently. Great location, within walking distance of everything.