This board was so helpful to me 3 years ago when I volunteered to find a Paris hotel for a group of Art Docents.In a moment of madness I agreed to do it again,and I am begging for suggestions.We will be staying in Aix for 3 nights and Avignon 4 nights.Both are convenient for the day trips we will take,by train or bus.SO.....where to stay??We need hotels in town,that are clean and pleasant and if possible around $200. a night.As a reference point,in Paris we stayed at the Muguet,which was great.It would be convenient if breakfast was served,but not essential.Restaurant suggestions would also be treasured.ALSO.....does anyone know a bus driver I can contact for one long excursion???? I am so eager for your replies!!!!!!!!!!!

4car

We stayed in the Hotel Bristol in Avignon in March 2008. It is on the main promenade. The hotel is well situated near restaurants, but doesn't have one of its own. It is about a pleasant 15 minute walk to the Popes Palace and another 5 to the Pont d'Avignon. Rooms were modern, numerous elevators. I believe it was a 3 star.

I hope you love Avignon as much as we did.

teacherCanada

In Avignon I strongly recommend the Hotel d'Europe:

http://www.heurope.com/

If you need a drive, I could recommend a few but I should absolutely need to know from where to where and for how many people.

There are two Mercure hotels in Avignon, both very close to the Palace. I have stayed at the Palace du Papes and it was an excellent, not expensive business class hotel. The rooms were clean and modern, the breakfast buffet was varied and generous, and the location could not have been better, right on the main square opposite the theatre.

Hi 4carolina; For your budget, I too second the Mercure. Very close to everything as the previous person suggested and just inside the 'old walls'. Yahoo or google 'Mercure/avignon' and you will bring up the web site. ENJOY Iris

We stayed at the Hotel Palais des Papes, quite close to the Mercure. The hotel's rooms look out over either the Place du Palais and the Palais or the pedestrian street which leads into the Place.

It's very clean, our room and bathroom were large and modern but rooms may vary as it's a very old building. Breakfast is served in a beamed breakfast room.

Our double was around 110 euros. Downside for a large group--the lobby is very small and only one person on the desk for checking in. Restaurant attached was good with covered outdoor seating.

Try accorhotels.com, the web site for the chain of which the Mercures are part--along with the Novotels, Sofitels, and I'm not sure what else.

In Aix we stayed at Le Manoir.
loved everything except the
breakfast served in the cloisters.
rates are listed under informations.

http://www.hotelmanoir.com/
In Avignon we stayed at the Bristol.