I finally booked a room here for 6 nights after a prolonged search online and this forum. My only concern was that one review on here had a noise problem on the ground floor of the main building with people coming in and checking out. It also allows pets and doesnt say anything about no smoking on the web site.<BR> My wife and i love animals, but dont smoke and dont want to smell someone elses dog or cigarettes in a small room for 6 days!<BR> I asked the hotel specifically about whether it was a room not on the main floor and &quot;nonsmoking&quot;, and the reply i got was that &quot; a room with bathroom or shower and toilet for one or two persons for 100 euros&quot; and &quot; Is a nice one in our main building view of our garden&quot;.<BR> Most of the reviews on this forum sounded like a place we would love, but is the above something to be nervous about and look elsewhere or am i overreacting ( i have never been to europe).<BR> I would appreciate any info. from someone who has stayed here. Thanks so much,<BR> John

I can't speak for your specific room, but the Grandes Ecoles should be a most delightful experience for you. We stayed there for two weeks and are now devoted fans of the hotel. Wonderful, efficient and friendly staff.<BR>While I understand that the rooms in the main building are smaller (and less expensive), it should not deter you from enjoying the place. I might suggest that you send another email asking if there are any rooms in the other two buildings. I would add the comment that you understand that the cost might be a little higher. (It will be somewhere between 105 and 120 euro.)<BR>As for the smoking, we never saw anyone smoking indoors during our two-week stay there. Nor did we see any dogs!<BR>If you have any other questions, feel free to email me.

Lovely place, very central and clean.

I have stayed there and also do not like the smell of smoke or animals (nothing against pets but, like you, don't want to smell them in my room for a week). Never had a problem with the hotel, as Howard and Susan said it's very clean, efficient and lovely. I don't know if I would stay in the main building since that is where everyone has to traipse through in order to check in and out, so I would ask for a room in one of the other buildings. Very lovely place though.

To put things into a proper perspective, even if you end up in the main building, you'll still have a marvelous experience!

We've stayed at the HGE twice, both times in the main building. The first time, we had a large, quiet room; the second time (last April), our second-floor room (No. 216, maybe?) was tiny and we could hear every little sound from the rooms around us: showers, toilets flushing, people talking, the elevator opening/closing. I don't think we got a full night's sleep the whole week we were there. As much as we loved it the first time, I'm not sure we'll go back.

We spent an entire week there last May. We had a room in the main bldg, second floor. I don't recall hearing any noise from adjoining rooms, showers etc. We had our window open at night and enjoyed the sounds of the street.<BR>I do recall seeing guests with a dog; they were in the garden bldg across the way. I seem to recall, in speaking with them, that the hotel gave them a ground level room in the garden bldg so the dog could easily come and go. Because of this, perhaps they discourage having dogs in any of the other bldgs.<BR>My vivid recollection of the hotel was it being constantly cleaned and having a &quot;citrus&quot; clean smell, so I wouldn't worry about cigarette smoke. I seem to recall possibly one room on the main floor; so the likelihood that it is yours may not be great.

We have never stayed at this hotel, but ventured into the lobby one day and noticed a statue of a siting black boy . I didn't ask but have always wonderded about the purpose of this. Were they sending some kind of message? Usually you don't see statues of anybody in a lobby...black or white.

Hm, Curious, I never noticed that statue during our two-week stay (or if I did notice it, it didn't leave any lasting impression and the memory has faded. I'm not sure what you point is (&quot;Usually you don't see statues of anybody in a lobby...black or white.&quot; Really?)...and I'm not sure if the statue means anything other than the fact that it's a piece of sculpture that somelike likes. All I can tell you is that our two-week stay was truly an international experience, as far as the clientele was concerned.

Curious, Are you thinking of the statue at the Grand Balcons? I think you have the wrong hotel. (I think the statue is cute...no political statement meant by it)

Yes, I am talking about the statue at the Grand Hotel Balcons. Wrong Hotel, I guess. <BR><BR>I didn't think the statue was cute and I was always surprised that No one ever mentioned it. I also thought the lobby was dinky and the elevator miniscule. The entrance did not appeal to me nor the pictures of the bedrooms in the brochure that I received at the desk.

Guess you'll have to make your own decision on this one John. One person said they've stayed in the main building and didn't have a problem, another said they heard everything that was going on around them. Perhaps the main building will be your last resort if there aren't any available rooms in the other buildings. I still say it's a great place with lovely, helpful staff. Let us know what you decide.