GKS

Hello! I found a hotel that looks great on-line, but am wondering if any of you have stayed there, and if so, if you could share your real experience. The hotel is L'Hotel de France, and it's located right off the Rotunda, in what looks like an ideal location where you can walk to everything. The problem is we'll have a car, and the hotel doesn't have parking. They said that parking is only 50 meters from the hotel, at the Rotund (I think) for 12 Euros per night, but as we'll be here in July, I'm a bit worried that finding parking won't be as easy as it sounds.

What do you guys think? We'll do day trips, but I think we'll do dinners back in Aix, so would probably park the car early evening and then leave it there. We also only have two nights there, so location is important and I love the idea of being able to walk out the hotel and into a lively area. Maybe troublesome parking is worth it? I'm just not sure how troublesome it might be....

Also, if you have any other suggestions for hotels in the city center (the old town area, I think it is) I'd love to hear them. We're unfortunately on a budget, and could do anything less than about $150 a night.

Thanks for your help!

Jeff801

My recollection, based on an 11 year old memory, is that parking suggested by your hotel is very tight. Be prepared to unload both luggage and passengers before parking at all times. While we rarely had the opportunity, we always took spaces that protected driver access, even if otherwise inconvenient. Nonetheless, climbing over seats and gearshift was a common experience.

Janeyre

We public-parked in Aix in 2001. If I recall the lot wasn't too far from the hotel (Hotel Caravelle). I agree with the previous poster. Parking lots are tight--the spaces and manuevering through the aisles. We managed though and had to use lots instead of hotel parking on at least five different instances during our Provence trip.

We had a good trunk so we would put our overnight items in a duffle bag so we wouldn't have to lug all our luggage into a hotel we were staying for just the one night.

Hotel Caravelle was a good location, but our room was run down (blanket needed to be cleaned; carpet was dirty; air-conditioner leaked) and I experienced my first case of bed bugs!

Have a great trip! We liked Aix but loved Arles.

robertino

Hi GKS -

We stayed at Le Manoir for a few nights last fall. The hotel as just north of the Cours, very close to La Rotonde.

The hotel was fine, especially for the price. It has a large forecourt for parking, and a beautiful medieval cloister at the back for breakfast. The inside of the hotel was a bit on the worn side, in need of some attention. The room was just fine.

A word of warning, though. I found driving in the old town to be unpleasant. The streets are extremely narrow, with lots of pedestrians everywhere. Lots of one way streets. Once you're in the vicinity of the hotel, though, there are yellow signs all over that you can follow.

There is a good map, along with driving directions, on the hotel's website. You'll want to study the material very very carefully.

Alternatively, I think I might try to locate a garage near the train or bus station that was within walking distance of your hotel but more easily accessible.

Definitely have dinner at Le Zinc d'Hugo.

Enjoy Aix!

Christina

I don't know that hotel, but it has pretty good reviews on venere.com and tripadvisor -- bearing in mind that it is a cheaper hotel. That certainly would be a convenient location if it is near the Rotonde. The tourist office is right there, also.

Those parking garages right around there can get full sometimes. I don't think driving woudl be that bad if you only try to drive right around the Rotonde or on the major routes leading to/from it. When I was there, the garages right near it were full, but I found plenty of space in a large garage near the bus station, which isn't too far away (this is not the same direction as the gare SNCF, but I think is sort of south==it's down ave Bonaparte and then near the intersection with Cours Sextius.

GKS

Thank you all! Yes, the hotel looks great in every other way, and the price is amazing...so I'm pretty tempted to just try it and know we may have to do some walking after we park our car. I hadn't even thought about parking spots being tight - I'd only considered lots being full! Well, I have till July, so I guess it's good to figure this out now!

Oh, speaking of cars, I was planning on renting one in Marseille - but any suggestions on who to go through? We'll be there from July 4ht-21st (dropping off in Paris)and are thinking a wagon would be best as there are 4 of us....though now I'm worried about maneuvering a station wagon....eeek....

surfmom

We also stayed at Le Manoir and I would second the above review.

We were only there for an overnight, so the parking was a big deal... and the courtyard was great for that. Hotel itself did seem 'tired' a bit. But it was cheap! And parking was available and free!

BrianC

I agree with the above posters that you really can't beat Le Manoir. I have lived here in Aix-en-Provence for 2 years and whenever I have friends and family come visit, I have them stay at Le Manoir. It's a great price and you really can't beat the location. You are right next to some of the best restaurants in town. And literally right across the street from one of my favorites (Pasta Cosy).

And there is free parking which is unheard of in Aix.

cigalechanta

We also stayed at the Manoir and liked it except the breakfast was one of the worst . We had no problems driving but we walked to the restaurant Clos de Violette
and didn't see much traffic in that part of town.