Hotel F1 Reims Tinqueux

The bathroom had a drain smell, though that seems pretty common in older French hotel bathrooms. Otherwise, the design and location are good, and the receptionist was friendly and efficient.

The room smelled strongly of cigarettes, though there were a few fast food places nearby for a late arrival. The car park itself was fine, but it has no gates, and some guests parked horizontally across three spaces for no apparent reason, either blind or selfish. The rest of the room was appalling. The floor hadn't been wiped, the bathroom was filthy with mold and grime, and used towels were still there. The bedding was untouched from the previous guest, with hairs and scabs on it and used pillowcases. The bed hadn't even been made. We arrived around 9:30 pm after the initial communication had been prompt and helpful, and the hotel looked basic but okay. Since we had another 600 km to drive the next day, we stripped the bed, used our own bedding, slept for four hours, then left as soon as we felt just capable of driving. This was far below the standard I'd expect. I'd strongly advise paying more for a better hotel. Don't stay here. Avoid my mistake.

The location isn't very charming, but it was easy to reach, there are places to eat nearby, and the outdoor parking was good. The room looked a little stark at first, but it was fine. Staff were pleasant and helpful, breakfast was decent, and the heater was excellent. I used it to dry my bike gear.

For a cheap hotel, what you get is pretty reasonable. The rooms are quiet and clean, if a little tired, with excellent firm beds and a modest but efficient bathroom. There's plenty of parking, though it isn't secured; that didn't matter to me since the industrial area felt fine. A large supermarket next door stays open until at least 8:00, and there's a microwave at reception if you want to keep food costs down. It's 5 km from the city center. I cycled there, but walking is possible, and buses and trams are available too.