we will stay 4 days at french alps, Annecy and chamonix look like good places to stay.Can you recommend any budget hotels in this area.

The Ibis hotel in central Annecy is fairly affordable and very well located.

A couple of years ago, we stayed one night in a neat little inexpensive auberge near Annecy (actually overlooking Lake Annecy on a hillside). Found it on a website. It was the Hotel La Cochette in St. Eustache, www.hotel-la-cochette.com <BR>fax, 33-4-50-32-02-70). Nice owner spoke pretty good English and gave us hiking recommendations, and his wife makes incredible bread for breakfast and dinner. <BR>

Thumbs up for Albert 1er in Chamonix, though it may not be everyone's cup of tea for dinner - - VERY, very high end elegant 7 or 8 course menu. Easily three hours plus, with dishes that were not always familiar to the other couple we were with. <BR> <BR>I wouldn't say it was a BAD experience, but one for acquired tastes. <BR> <BR>Best wishes, <BR> <BR>Rex <BR>

Annecy <BR>CHÂTEAU: 16, rampe Château. Tel: 0450452766. Fax: 0450527526. Web site: http://www.multimania.com/hotelduchateau/ E-mail: [email protected] (16 rms., all w/toilet & bath or shower.) 270F/41EUR single; 325-345F/50-53EUR double; 370-390F/56-59EUR triple; 470-490F/72-75EUR quad. Breakfast (7:15-10am) at 43F pp can be served in the room & on the terrace in warm weather. Visa, MC, AX. English spoken (Ramon & Edith), cable TV w/CNN, wonderful charming renovated 19th-century château/hotel w/simply furnished bright nice-size airy rms., #23 (double bed w/wonderful view of rooftops, mountains & château), 18 (sloped ceiling rm.w/double bed, sitting room, wonderful view of rooftops & top of château), 14 (double bed w/wonderful view of rooftops, mountains & château) & 22 (small rm. w/wonderful view of rooftops) are for a double; #8, 9 & 10 (all small rms. w/no views) are for a double; #5 (huge rm. w/double bed, 1 twin bed & w/view of street & château) is for a triple; #7 (huge rm. w/double bed, 1 twin bed & no view) is for a triple; #16 (double bed, 2 twin beds & no view) is for a family; great terrace w/wonderful views of rooftops, mountains & château, 10 rms. w/hair driers, bar, no elevator, 2 flrs., free private parking. Owner/manager Edith Zuliani. Take a taxi. (Closed Nov. 15-Dec. 20.) <BR> <BR>Chamonix <BR>AU BON COIN: 80, ave. L’Aiguille Midi. Tel: 0450531567. Fax: 0450535151. (20 rms., 15 w/toilet & bath or shower.) 400-450F/61-69EUR double; 425-600F/65-92EUR triple; 550-700F/84-107EUR quad. Breakfast (7:30-9:30am) at 40F pp (obligatory in high season) can be served in the room. Visa, MC. English spoken (Dermot & Julie), TV available on request, charming simple hotel w/simply furnished rms., #12, 14, 15, 16 (2 twin beds), 17 (2 twin beds) & 5 (double bed) all w/bathtubs, balconies & wonderful views) are for a double; #1 (double bed & 1 twin bed but no balcony) is for a triple; #18 (huge family rm. w/4 twin beds), 19 & 20 are all basement rms. that share a huge outdoor patio & have views of the mountains; #4, 5, 6 & 7 all have balconies; #3 (balcony w/view of mountain), 8, 9, 10 & 11 are all without private bathrooms & are cheaper; the rooms w/bathtubs, balconies or terraces w/views of the mountains are the most expensive; 1 rm. has handicapped access, no elevator, 2 flrs., free parking. Located 250m from Telecanine Journey. Newly owned/managed by the very charming & hard-working Mr. Dermot & Mme. Julie Cooney. (Scottish/Irish). For directions, see orientation. Turn left onto rue Docteur Paccard, turn left onto ave. L’Aiguille Midi. (Closed May 1-15 & Oct. 20-Dec. 10.) <BR> <BR>

We just stayed at the wonderful Hotel Du Lac in Duingt (pronounce Duwat) about 15 minutes from Annency. Right on the lake, a beautiful setting. Run by a young French couple who speak English. Lovely restaurant, very reasonable prices and good food. A wonderful breakfast buffet that included make your own eggs. They have a website www.hoteldulac.com. You can e-mail them for reservations, they will respond with a link to get a view of the room they will offer you. Highly recommend it.

I stayed at the IBIS centerville location in Annecy. Perfect location and for a budget hotel, exceeded my expectations. I've always contacted IBIS by calling their chain at 1-800-NOVOTEL. You can call toll free and see if it is available and the cost. If some of the more "charming" places are available that are getting good reviews are available, that is great. If not, go with the IBIS. It isn't charming, but is a really good deal. <BR>Ellen