Hôtel Du Nord

“The best 2-star French hotel I've ever stayed in”

A couple, plus an 8 year old, stayed for three nights in the Hotel du Nord in a 2nd floor room with two double-beds, during the week between Christmas and New Years. The room provided would accommodate 4, so it was spacious for the 3 of us. If you've arrived by car, you'll be given a temporary per… more

A couple, plus an 8 year old, stayed for three nights in the Hotel du Nord in a 2nd floor room with two double-beds, during the week between Christmas and New Years. The room provided would accommodate 4, so it was spacious for the 3 of us. If you've arrived by car, you'll be given a temporary permit that will allow you to put your car in the marked "livraisons" parking spots while you unload your luggage. Then you'll need to park your car either in the hotel lot (only 5 spaces so you'd better reserve ahead of time!) or make another arrangement. All staff were friendly and efficient in giving good information during our stay. The staff are mature and dedicated, and glad to do a good job. Breakfast on offer was classic continental-style, including a hot beverage, plus fresh breads, croissants, yogurt, jam, honey, butter, and a variety of fruit (including some surprises like lychee nuts and delicious fresh-squeezed orange juice). But if you're a Brit looking for a fry-up, be warned, there are no eggs or meat. Despite being right in the town centre, there is heavily restricted traffic at night, so the hotel is extremely quiet. You might hear just one car go by all night. Beds consist of quality mattresses, provided with sheets, blankets and bedspreads -- not comforters. Hot showers are provided with small packets of shower gel. In winter, the rooms are kept at a warm temperature -- perhaps too hot -- and we turned off our radiator completely for our whole stay when outside December temperatures reached minus 5 degrees C. Our bedroom had a desk and chair, and a spacious wardrobe for hanging clothes and drawers. Do not expect air conditioning in summer. There is no minibar, bottled water, or safe in the room. These things are not expected in a 2-star hotel, so just be aware. In the lobby there is seating where you can read a magazine or bruise online. The hotel was one of the best experiences I've ever had in a 2-star hotel in France. It's far better than any Parisian 2-star hotel I have stayed in. WiFi was free and fast throughout the hotel. On the adjacent Rue de Granges you'll find an excellent Brasserie, Pizzeria, and a couple of surprisingly large grocery stores. There are shops of all kinds everywhere. You are centrally located for accessing all major touristic sites in the town. There is a tram that can take you many places, and an extensive bus network serves the city. There are several municipal swimming pools, and an ice skating rink, but at a distance. The hotel offers reservations for 5 marked spaces in a secure parking lot for 8 euros a day. You can access your car anytime 24/7 with a key provided, that you can keep with you throughout your visit. The parking lot is about 5 zig-zag streets away from the hotel in this medieval town, and at the garage door there's an archway you need to fit through to get in or out, but I didn't have trouble accessing or finding the lot at any time. All streets in the historic centre are one-way, so a GPS will help you get around. I'm under the impression that you can park your car outside the central historic district and walk in, but if you have a car you would do well to confirm this impression of mine, or make some definite arrangement for parking prior to your arrival. Taking your chances with parking seems like a bad idea. If you arrive at night, due to the traffic restrictions, you'll stop at a bollard, and explain to someone over an intercom that you're checking in to your hotel, and they'll let you though. You can exit the same way to go park your car. Overall the Hotel du Nord is a great value, and a fine place to stay to enjoy Besançon.

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