D-house Rouen

We spent three nights here and found it peaceful, with a comfortable bed and a good breakfast. The women at reception were friendly and helpful. It's an easy walk to everything in the centre. The building is clearly old, which is probably part of its charm, but it's arranged well enough for guests.

My wife was feeling unwell, so she politely asked if she could use the toilet and offered to pay. They turned her away and told her to find a cafe. We often travel in France and like trying different hotels. After that treatment of guests, this one won't be on our list.

The hotel is right in the centre, against the cathedral's back wall, but finding it was a hassle. Its entrance is in a pedestrian-only area, surrounded by one-way streets that Google Maps hasn't updated correctly. Better directions beforehand would have helped, as would advice on where to park. You can pull up at the alley entrance to unload bags, or, if you're fit, carry them to the garage. We paid 33 euros for parking over two nights. Our larger room for two was very roomy, though its advertised view looked onto the hotel's courtyard. The courtyard was nicely decorated, but may not be what you expect from a room with a view. In good weather, people on the terrace might be noisy, and cigarette smoke could drift up. The rooms and hotel are old but charming. Breakfast was an okay buffet for 12 euros, not expensive. This place isn't suitable for guests with serious mobility or visual impairments. The location is part of the problem, and the stairs are uneven and difficult to manage. There's a lift, but it isn't easy to access either.

We had to cancel, and the staff were nothing but rude. They even disapproved when we tried to change to another date, so we lost our money. It's a shame because we wanted to come, but something came up. I've never experienced anything like it. When we visit Rouen, we'll stay somewhere else.