ibis Styles Reims Centre Cathédrale

The renovation meant water was turned off at different times, with no warning to us. Our first room also had a panel missing beneath the shower, exposing earth cables. Staff agreed to move us, but only the next day. Building work was going on from 9am to 6pm, bringing noise and dust throughout the hotel, and none of this had been published on the website. Parking on site costs €11 a day, while the car park just 10ft across the road is €4. This wasn't the usual Ibis experience.

The person on reception was friendly and very helpful when we arrived. The refurbished room smelled of paint, and it was small, with less space than we expect from a normal 'Style' room. There were no hooks or shelves in the bathroom, which left nowhere to put wet towels or even a hand towel. The public areas look very tired. I'm not sure the refurbishment did much to improve the hotel, and it didn't meet the 'Style' standard we're used to.

Parking and a good location, within walking distance of the cathedral, restaurants, and shops. The room and beds were very nice. Breakfast let us down, though: the only hot option was eggs you boiled yourself.

The breakfast buffet plates are tiny, as if they're trying to limit how much people take. The rooms are more spacious than at a regular ibis, and we got one extra pillow and two hand towels. Still no bin in the bedroom, though.