Le Normandie

The staff were pleasant, and I stayed three nights because of the location and easy parking. That was enough for me. The hotel was basic in every way, looks its age and feels very tired. Read the reviews and don’t trust the photos. Next time I’ll look for a nearby three- or four-star place.

The bathroom was so small I hit the wall or washstand whenever I used the toilet. Reviews often mention that single guests are put in the loft, and there’s no lift. Parking is free, but be careful about security, with gangs of black illegal immigrants wandering around trying to access the ferry service. There are plenty of better restaurants just around the corner, and the ferry terminal is an easy five-minute walk. The beach is nice, about a 20-minute easy walk away. The staff were nice, but made us wait until the 2 PM check-in despite seeming to have nothing to do. It was an unnecessary wait.

The room was small, basic, dingy and dismal, and the bathroom had its own unique smell. There were no tea or coffee facilities in the room, and prices at the hotel were very high. They advertise a restaurant, but it was closed to guests on Saturday night, so we had to eat elsewhere. For the price, it wasn’t a good experience, and I wouldn’t stay here again or recommend it.

It’s a nice hotel, but looks a little dated. The rules for using a bedroom are worth reading, they’re the sort of thing you might have seen 50 years ago. They don’t cater for gluten-free diets.