Alcyon

There’s no lift at this little 2-star hotel, but it’s only 300 metres from the train station. The room I saw was cute and spotless, though simple and perhaps a bit old-fashioned. I slept well and liked the bedding. Breakfast was plentiful, with sweet and savory choices including croissants, fruit, cheese and cereal. The breakfast room is nicely decorated, and the woman serving breakfast was cheerful and friendly, though she seemed to have several roles. If you’ll arrive after 8 pm, call ahead for the entry code; the reception closes then, and your key will be left for you. My reason for not giving five stars is the bathroom. The shower felt quite small for me, and someone larger might not fit. The toilet is squeezed between the shower and wall, which isn’t practical. Still, there’s only so much they can do with the building.

Rooms are functional, and there’s secure parking. Breakfast is a buffet with something for everyone. From the parking side, the rooms look toward Saumur Castle. The hotel is well placed, about a 5-10 minute walk from the centre. Cross the two bridges over the river and you get lovely views of the city, by day and at night.

The breakfast had both sweet and savory dishes, with nothing missing, and we had a really good stay. The hotel was spotless, in a handy location, and the welcome was charming. We’d happily come back.

Really good value for the price. The welcome was warm, and the rooms were very clean with a thoughtful touch. You can hear the train a little, but it isn’t very loud. I’d definitely recommend it.