StuDudley

We've stayed at the Mermoz and the President in Toulouse. Close to the train station, where you can pick up a car. We've also stayed at tht airport for a 6am flight home - don't stay there.

Stu Dudley

CaliNurse

Thank you SD. So...we'll rule out the Courtyard at TLS . Will check out your recommendations.
Thanks St Cirq for referral to that thread.
Crowne Plaza, right on the main square, looks good. Any knowledgeable objections from the usual Fodorite suspects? Price is ok, and less than the Hotel Grand Opera, which one review describes as bordello -like decoration

Christina

I was thinking of staying there, but it was too expensive when I checked. So I stayed at the Mercure Place Wilson instead. After I got there, I was glad I did as I liked the location a bit better. The problem with the Crowne Plaza is that it is right on the main square and I didn't really like the restaurants on it that much and it was just too much noise and activity for me. I think the Mercure I stayed at is about the same distance from the metro stop but in a quieter area and more variety of places to eat right near the hotel. Actually there was a humongous big festival going on when I was there, I forget if there was a special occasion, but they had an outdoor show with live singers and entertainment on the main square and huge crowds. Now if you actually had a hotel room overlooking the square, it would have been very noisy until way into the middle of the morning (ie maybe 3 am).

if the price is good, it should be fine, though, and is a convenient location. It may look better than the Mercure which was functional but comfortable.

CaliNurse

Thanks for your answer, Christina. It is actually cheaper for our dates, as of now, than the Mercure Pl Wilson. Enticed by your preference for the Place wilson area, i checked the map, and it's a ten minute walk from the CP to the Mercure PW.
(I think it's you who goes against the majority tide and doesnt much care for le Marais? If so...i know we agree on that!)

Carlux

We quite like the Mercure Wilson. Great location, and comfortable hotel. It's true that the Place du Capitole can be noisy and busy.

No need for an airport hotel in Toulouse - it's not a huge city, and there is a shuttle bus to the airport that takes about 15 minutes. Or a taxi, which shouldn't be too expensive for that length.

Christina

well, if it's cheaper, it might be fine, I just like areas a little less congested. A 10 minute walk sounds a bit on the high side, but possibly. Obviously, it depends how fast you walk, but I walk about 3 miles an hour so that would be a half mile, and it isn't that far. It's only about 400 meters according to mappy.fr between place de la Capitole and place Wilson, which is only a quarter mile. The metro stop is about in the middle of that stretch.

jpie

We stayed at another hotel in that same area. It is close the Place Wilson and Capitole and also has the advantage of being near the covered market and lots a good little shopping and restaurants nearby.

Hôtel ALBERT 1er
8, rue Rivals
7, rue J-F Kennedy
31000 TOULOUSE
[email protected]
Tél : +33 (0)5 61 21 17 91
Fax : +33 (0)5 61 21 09 64

www.hotel-albert1.com

Also, I don't know if anyone else mentioned it but lots of that whole area is closed off as pedestrian walking areas and a lot of the other streets are small one way streets, and almost all the parking is pay underground parking. Most hotels do give you a reduced rate-but if all you want to do is see the main sites of Toulouse the next day you might want to consider picking your car up on the way out of town rather than at the airport, maybe at the train station as Stu suggested. We drove in, so I don't know any of the logistics of getting from the airport, but if you do end up driving in, it is workable-but not ideal since your car will probably end up just sitting in paid parking somewhere while you sight see.