We had thought we'd stay in Avignon for 5 days in March but we will have a car and the warnings about the traffic on this site are legion.<BR><BR>How about Arles? Specifically, does anyone have information about either the Hotel Arlatan or the Forum Hotel&gt;<BR><BR>Thanks. Ellen

My sole experience in Arles was in a cookie-cutter place whose name I have forgotten (good location, but lacking in charm or any other touches) - - but I did see this place (Hotel Forum - - http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/forumarles if I understand where you mean), and it looked cool to me. I think that what you see on their web site is accurate.<BR><BR>Best wishes,<BR><BR>Rex<BR>

When I first answered this question - - it was a weird deja vu - - because I was thinking that the place we stayed was something very similar to Forum.<BR><BR>I looked back through old journals and found the similar name: Hotel Atrium - - and here's a website - - http://www.lodgingfrance.com/Arles/Atrium - - in case anyone needs another hotel name in Arles.<BR><BR>Funny thing. I don't remember this pool shown on their web site photo, but then, we really enjoyed our half day in Arles (the following day after we slept there) - - we had driven to Orange in the spectacular Ancien Theatre upon our arrival (a Saturday night). Went to Mass, walked around Arles for the afternoon and moved on. And walked by the Hotel Forum in the process. It's a fairly small center city.<BR>

we're planning on being in Arles in June and staying at hotel Calendal. It's a 2*, which I believe is less than the two you mentioned. Have read good things about it and looking forward to our stay.<BR>good luck

I wished we had stayed at the calendal, nice patio dining we lunched there. We stayed at the famous Nord Pius, beautiful but the room street side very noisy and difficult to get in and out of place de forum by car.

Eight years ago we stayed at the Hotel Regence which has a parking area behind the hotel. Nice hotel, a bit noisy due to the winds when we were there, Sylvie speaks good English. Very nice owners. But the real find is the gite they rent in Fontvieille just south. We wound up staying there a week.

Ellen: We stayed at the Calendal and loved it. Most who have been guests there feel it is a two * that should be atleast a three *. Walking distance of several restaurants and actually even into town to some of the sites. Staff pleasant and helpful. No elevator. Decent breakfast and a tea time each afternoon (not included). Our room was quite large (some are very small). I can't remember the room number, but it was upstairs in front with a large terrace.<BR><BR>www.lecalendal.com<BR>contact@leca lendal.com<BR><BR>We would stay there again and highly recommend it.<BR><BR>j

Stayed at Arlatan; furnished with antiques, comfortable, great location, reasonable; recommend!

We stayed at the D'Arlatan for three days in the summer of 2000 and highly recommend it. Great location and it is short walk to all of the key sites in Arles. Like all of hotels built from older buildings, the bathrooms are wedged in. But ours worked fine. <BR><BR>Be aware that streets are very narrow in this area. So rent the smallest car that you can fit everything in. The Arlatan had indoors parking, but you generally needed someone to get the car for you.

I have stayed at the Hotel Campanile Gril in Arles, part of a French chain. The hotel is about a 5 minute drive from city center, and located near several others. It is a motel-type facility so you can usually park your car at your door, and they are usually fenced, with ample parking. Rooms are pleasantly furnished, with TV and coffee-maker, and a sizeable bathroom.

We stayed at the Forum and enjoyed it very much.There is a nice pool in the courtyard. Our room and furnishings were old and very French.Our room overlooked the square and could get noisy at night. Parking is remote.

We stayed in Arles, at d'Arlatan in October, 2001 and highly recommend both the hotel and the city.<BR><BR>We stayed in Arles for three days and used it as a base to explore Avignon, St. Remy, Pont du Gard and Le Baux. All were close and convenient to Arles and it was good to come back to a managable city in the evening.<BR><BR>Hotel d'Arlatan was magnificent. Our room was brightly decorated and spacious and imminently affordable. The warnings regarding parking and the claustrophobic feel of the surrounding streets are very accurate. Their are lots of signs direting you to the hoitel, but the first journey through the streets is rather harrowing.<BR><BR>Good Luck!