french hotel chains

[Paul_L]

Never driven in France before, but we're driving from Calais to the south of france in June. Got 2 small kids in tow (aged 5 and 1), so will want to stop at least one, possibly two nights on way there and back.

Have had a bit of an internet search for overnight hotel stops, but they all seem to be for 2 or 3 people max, which is a bit of a worry, but i'm sure it's just me not knowing where to look.

Can anyone recommend any chains they've used in the past, or even recommended stop off points?

Thanks

 

[asterix]

Formula 1 are very cheap and quite cheerful, 2 double beds, one up one down. Drawback is that bathrooms/toilets are not en-suite.

IME it's best to stop off quite early at peak times whatever you use as such hotels fill up.

 

[Fab Foodie]

We've used the Cheap and Cheerful Formule 1 hotels. We have 3 kids so we've always booked 2 rooms, however for the price it's bearable.
They're very basic but in my experience have always been clean enough and quiet enough for 1 nights crash.
We tend to plan our trips (as you from Calais to sthn France or N. Spain) to arrive around 7 in the evening at the hotel. Usually F1's are located on the edge of town or trade area and 9/10 there will be a McD's or a 'Buffallo' grill within walking distance. We found the McD's perfect, kids are happy and in France they sell beer (from an adult POV, have a few beers in the car for when you arrive at the hotel... after the drive you'll find it very relaxing!). Then we crash for the night after eating.
B'fast is usally simple but plentiful to fuel you up for the next day. Getting to brekkie early is advisable as seating can be tight. Then hit the road ASAP while it's cool.
We've usually stopped around Orleans-way depending on where we're heading.

Campanile are OK, but pricier and the foods not great.
There is a slightly posher variation on F1, maybe it's 'etape'.

We've always booked in advance as nearer the time they can get pretty full.

 

[Davidc]

What FF says, and it's worth looking at Logis as well.

 

[Bromptonaut]

Let's try again!!

IME BB hotels are the best of the budget chains. Nearly all their places are built to a similar plan and have half a dozen 4 bedded rooms on the top floor. The 3rd/4th beds are quite small and on a 'mezzanine' platform over the en-suite shower but have been fine for my two well into their teens. Access to these two beds is via stairs up the side of the bathroom; might need care with toddlers but they have a safety gate at the top.

An excellent buffet breakfast is offered from 06:00 on working days - early brekky and a quick getawayis way to go. There are no eveninig meals but like all French budget hotels they're in commercial zones, there is nearly always a Buffalo Grill or Courtepaille chain resto nearby and often something much better.

Website here http://www.hotel-bb.com/

 

[TheDoctor]

I usually use Ibis, and their site lets you choose a family room if the hotel has them.
Others to try are Premiere Classe or looking on the ViaMichelin site.
If you're looking to eat there, Logis are normally a good bet.

 

[Mark Grant]

We always used Novotel when travelling through France. A family room has a double bed and a sofa that converts into 2 beds, they also have an en-suite bathroom. Price of the room includes free breakfast for the kids (buffet style).
We book well in advance and have always found it a good deal, generally paying about 100 Euros for the room.
Although you can get a Formule 1 or Campanile cheaper the fact that we are all together in one room and have our own bathroom & loo is worth a few extra Euros.

Mark.

 

[Globalti]

We had the holiday from hell in France a few years ago in a tiny dirty chalet room. We stopped at a Campanile just outside Calais on the way home and the room was massive; a smashing, warm, clean attic room with a sparkling bathroom. We wished we had stayed there instead.

 

[asterix]

There is a slightly posher variation on F1, maybe it's 'etape'.

Could be 'Comfort Hotels'? Pricier than F1 but more upmarket and probably just double rooms.

 

[Cubist]

Etape is the chain just above Formula 1 in terms of comfort, but only because they have ensuites. Downside is you have to book in threes,, as they all tend to have doubles and a bunk above. Breakfasts are plentiful, self-service affairs, with plenty of choice if you get there early. IBIS hotels look to be another step up, but as we have only ever used them as one night stopovers we only ever needed somewhere to bed down for the night after a long drive. To reiterate, pack some beers and cold drinks in a cooler to see you through he evening

Use this website to book/browse: http://www.accorhotels.com I have successfully booked our party of seven across various bits of France for the last 5 years or so. All are basic, clean and as someone said above, on the oustkirts of towns near to Buffallo Grills (excellent value!)

 

[threebikesmcginty]

...on the oustkirts of towns near to Buffallo Grills (excellent value!)

As the old Malcolm McLaren song used to go, 'Buffalo Grills go round the outside, round the outside...'

cough, coat, gone

 

[rh100]

Campanile near St Germain (Paris) was basic but clean, we've used a couple around France and most were ok. However another one in Paris we pulled up outside of looked extremely rough. Don't expect much from the motorway service stops either, the shops are fine for snacks but the cafe's weren't up to much IMO.

 

[Aperitif]

I used to drive Calais to Beziers / Albi etc and all the 'aires' that were situated along the way offered clean facilities, enough choice and even the machine coffee would do well in the UK! Family space and driver's rest at these places, and I think provision is statutory every 30k?

 

[Fiona N]

I've used most of the chains mentioned above when driving but I much prefer the small hotels in towns if I'm not on the autoroute. Often they're not that much more expensive and they're a lot more personal and friendly which is nice when you're bike touring solo.

The best ever was a bikers' (as in motorbikes) pub just outside Epernay - I stopped for a coffee as there was a thunderstorm going on outside. The landlady mentioned they had rooms - they were just doing them up to open as a small hotel - so I stayed the night. The Windcheetah got it's own room too. With snacks, a beer, dinner + wine and breakfast the whole lot was 25 euro. This wasn't that long ago - 2005, I think - so I hope they're thriving.

 

[Over The Hill]

We did Fasthotel (or is it Fastotel) last summer. Two different ones as route varied but both identical buildings. You could probably all get in one room OK and I am sure that they have three bed rooms that you could just add a travel (or their own) cot to.
Both we used were out of town on the motorway/main road junction and easy to find.
Good breakfast was 5e extra and all fine served at the bar area. Neither had food in the evening.