We are visiting the Provence area in September, and although we've been to Europe a few times, this is the first time we're hiring a car (which is a bit scary as for us Australians it's driving on the wrong side of the road).
I've been looking at hotels in Arles and Aix, and have found heaps of options of course, but not having visited those cities before, it's difficult to get a feel for the hotel locations.
What I've been looking for is somewhere in each of those cities, just far enough out of the central area to avoid real traffic hassles (we will be day tripping so it would be nice to come and go without too much stress). Parking is obviously a requirement.
What would be ideal is if the hotel was close enough to the main centres that we would be able to walk to dinner or sightseeing, but it's hard to tell from the maps I have what the distances are.
Can anyone recommend hotels in Arles and Aix that meet that criteria. Around 2 stars (around AU$100 a night would be great).
I've been looking at hotels in Arles and Aix, and have found heaps of options of course, but not having visited those cities before, it's difficult to get a feel for the hotel locations.
What I've been looking for is somewhere in each of those cities, just far enough out of the central area to avoid real traffic hassles (we will be day tripping so it would be nice to come and go without too much stress). Parking is obviously a requirement.
What would be ideal is if the hotel was close enough to the main centres that we would be able to walk to dinner or sightseeing, but it's hard to tell from the maps I have what the distances are.
Can anyone recommend hotels in Arles and Aix that meet that criteria. Around 2 stars (around AU$100 a night would be great).
I can recommend Hotel Regence in Arles. It's an inexpensive ** next to the river with easy free on- street parking. It's convenient to the old town sites just inside the wall. The rooms were nice with a small bathroom--actually a tiny shower. I had a double bed as a single. I think some of the rooms may be larger. Mine even had a river view. Staff was nice but spoke little or no English. It's also an easy walk to the train station.
http://www.hotel-regence.com/uk/index2.htm
http://www.hotel-regence.com/uk/index2.htm
Here's the website.
http://www.hotelmanoir.com/
this was a few years ago that we were there. Breakfast is served in the cloisters(not very good)
Better to eat it at a café.
http://www.hotelmanoir.com/
this was a few years ago that we were there. Breakfast is served in the cloisters(not very good)
Better to eat it at a café.
Definately second Cigale's suggestion for Aix. On site parking is a major plus and you are right in the heart of the old town. Plus the price is right !
Only issue may be that driving in and out of Aix will be a bit tricky at first. But I'm sure you'll be fine once you get the hang of it.
In Arles there is the Hotel Calendal which we've heard good things about. Not sure what the parking situation is like.
-Kevin
Only issue may be that driving in and out of Aix will be a bit tricky at first. But I'm sure you'll be fine once you get the hang of it.
In Arles there is the Hotel Calendal which we've heard good things about. Not sure what the parking situation is like.
-Kevin
We stayed at Le Calendal in Arles. The parking was this teeny tiny garage around the corner from the hotel. it basically held 5 cars, and you would have to jockey for position. We opted to park in the public lot up the hill, which I believe was free from 5 (or 7 I forget) til the morning.
We've stayed at Le Calendal in Arles. As Lori mentioned, there's parking right by the hotel for about 6 cars. We were there in a September and we always found an available spot after we returned from our daytrips. It's a nice and comfortable Provencal hotel with all the basics and, I guess like most small hotels in the region, very quaint and nice.
As a sidenote, a couple of similar comments from 2 different restaurant owners that we frequented was that our hotel is "tres joli".
As a sidenote, a couple of similar comments from 2 different restaurant owners that we frequented was that our hotel is "tres joli".
Thanks for all those suggestions. The Regence in Arles looks a pretty good option and easy to find.
The Manoir in Aix I'd come across in my searching and thought it looked good, except a bit tricky get to by car, as Kevin said. But perhaps we just have to think positive on that.
I should say we would pay a more than AU$100 if the hotel was in a good location etc, but that's the average price I've been aiming for.
Also, something like a 20 minute or so walk out of the main centre would be fine, so if you know of somewhere a little but further out, please let me know. Most of my searching came up with hotels either right in the centre or out in the surrounding countryside.
The Manoir in Aix I'd come across in my searching and thought it looked good, except a bit tricky get to by car, as Kevin said. But perhaps we just have to think positive on that.
I should say we would pay a more than AU$100 if the hotel was in a good location etc, but that's the average price I've been aiming for.
Also, something like a 20 minute or so walk out of the main centre would be fine, so if you know of somewhere a little but further out, please let me know. Most of my searching came up with hotels either right in the centre or out in the surrounding countryside.
