ibis Vannes

For this kind of place, it's pretty good. There's plenty of free parking, a good restaurant, and a small commercial centre nearby. It's outside the centre, but buses serve the area. Our room was adequate, with a big bed and bathroom, though it didn't have enough power points. Some bathroom tiles had mould on them, but otherwise it was clean.

The rooms were nice and well maintained, to be fair. But a welcoming service should always be the focus of a hotel, whatever the building looks like. The lady who checked me in was the one exception, she had a genuine smile. The other two women made me feel unwelcome and seemed to treat smiling as a favour, perhaps because I don't speak French. The manager was unfriendly and refused to give her name, and her attitude seemed to make the employees afraid to act differently. One staff member started shouting at me in French when I tried to use the coffee maker, then got angrier and gave me mean, disdainful looks. She wouldn't let me use it, as if I weren't a guest. They said the machine was only for breakfast hours. If that's really the policy, it seems silly and cheap, and makes no sense for hospitality. Outside breakfast hours, you have to pay to get coffee. I paid a high room rate and was treated arrogantly, as though I wasn't paying for my stay. I'm glad this wasn't my first experience in a French hotel or with French people. I wouldn't consider staying here again unless I had to, which is why I chose not to cancel my stay.

Vannes has plenty to offer visitors, and getting around is easy with frequent, inexpensive city buses. The location worked well and felt like good value. Staff were friendly and helpful, especially since we don't speak French.

The food was satisfying, and the service was friendly. Our room was basic but clean. From a garden-facing window, you might spot rabbits visiting the gardens.