Hello everyone,

With everyone's valuable input, we've finally settled on our itinerary for our trip to Berner Oberland/Cote d'Azur/Provence/Annecy in August. We've reserved a room for four nights in St. Remy at the Hotel du Soleil...on to conquer our Annecy lodging. After much research, here is what we have it narrowed down to (in USD for 3 nights):

Hotel du Palais de l'Isle - basic room $413, premium room (not sure if this means canal view or just bigger room) $505

Ibis Annecy Centre Vieille Ville - $295 nonrefundable (do we take a chance on this?) or $367 refundable

Auberge du Lyonnais - $287 canal view

Hotel de Savoie - $302 canal view

For some reason, I feel a little nervous about the Savoie - is this justified? I'd say we may be leaning toward the Ibis and may take a chance on nonrefundable or the Lyonnaise...but we are most definitely open to your suggestions. DH is willing to go for the basic room at Palais de l'Isle if it's really worth it...I've read conflicting reviews.

Thoughts? Thanks!

I stayed by the Lac at the Auberge Pere Bise

Thanks for your reply, cigalechanta...we have our hearts set on staying in Annecy, though, near the old city/canal/lake. We like to be able to park and walk in town in the evenings. Any other opinions? Palais...Ibis...Lyonnasie...Savoie...and what about Hotel du Nord?

Sorry to do this in such a piecemeal fashion...but any opinions on Hotel Alexandra? They are reasonable, have availability, and are #1 on TripAdvisor (I think, or book-it...). I think I'm just a little less sure than I was when I started today!

We liked our stay at Palais de l'Isle, especially for the location, but cannot compare it to the others.

Hi caseyhen,
we stayed at Palais de l'Isle and loved location. Had corner room overlooking canal and it was very nice. Don't know the others.
have a great time! (way back in 2006 I did a trip report including a little on Annecy if you are still looking for tips..)have a look under my name.

The Ibis centre vieille ville is very well located, simple and clean much like most inexpensive chain hotels in the United States. The staff was friendly and helpful. I don't think breakfast was included in our rate and also think we had a much lower rate than you mentioned. I booked on the hotel website. You will love Annecy and not be in your room very much.

Love, love, love Annecy.....beautiful city on lake. First time we stayed at a hotel right AT the lake in town,,4 star but full when we tried a few years later.
Two years ago we were VERY satisfied with the Ibis Centre Ville. ...Very restful after flying overnight from USA and driving from Geneva. Parking is next door, under ground. One side of hotel in right on the river, the other is across a lovely courtyard to the Sunday market...lots of fun! Location close to walking around town.....and the breakfast was very nice. Rooms a little small of course, but modern and clean. Ibis is not the upper level of the Accor French chain, but the one in Annecy is lovely. I also find it hard to believe the price you quoted,,,,should be a lot less. (we never go in August, but still seems a little high) .

oops! for THREE nights,,,,probably about right for August.
(Ibis, Annecy)

oops me too!!!!!! I didn't see for three nights either.
As mari5 stated,price sounds about right now.

Thanks so much to everyone who took the time to comment. You've helped us narrow down our choices, and now it's time to make a decision! Here's where we are: Palais du l'Isle is out, we've decided, since there are so many other more reasonable and perfectly suitable options that are more within our budget (especially since we're going to have to pay more to stay in some other areas, especially Switzerland and possibly Nice). Here's what we're choosing between (price for 3 nights in USD):

Hotel Ibis - $296 nonrefundable, $367 refundable - edge of the old town; it's a chain but we liked what mari5 had to say, also free parking below the hotel from 6:30 p.m. to 9 a.m., would work well for us; free wifi

l'Auberge du Lyonnaise, centrally located on the canal in the old town, above a restaurant - $282 for room with canal view, not sure about parking though municipal parking seems to generally be free from 7 p.m. to 8 a.m. and can't be too far away

Hotel Alexandra (#1 on Trip Advisor...) $263, parking nearby, not on canal but appears to still be in old town (Rue Vaugelas...?).

Any thoughts on these, either based on location or experience-we haven't been able to find info from anyone who's stayed in either of the latter two. We're about to just make a choice and go with it, which is often the best one can do, but thought I'd check once more now that it's narrowed down. Thanks!