Overview

3 star Best Western hotel in the centre of La Rochelle. Hotel serves breakfast (additional cost) and has a bar and reception room. There is a garden. Hotel staff very helpful but there is limited disabled access.

Transport & Parking

I got a taxi from the airport which cost about 20 euros. The hotel is one road behind Place de Verdun, which has a small bus station. The train station is further away, but as I didn't use it I'm sorry but unable to comment.

Access

There are 4 steps with a handrail leading to the main entrance. I checked with the staff and there is no other entrance for guests so the hotel is not wheelchair accessible. Once on the ground floor there is a reception, breakfast room and bar with adjoining reception rooms. There is a door leading out into the gardens. The gardens are beautifully maintained and there are gravel paths. The upper floors of the newer part of the building are accessible by lift. I stayed in a traditional room, after changing my original booking before I arrived when I found the room I'd booked had a shower over the bath. My room was huge with a double bed, wardrobe with an electronic safe on one of the top shelves. There was a flat screen TV with a couple of English channels and free wifi. The ensuit bathroom had a shower with a slight step into it. The floor of the shower unit was not non slip and with a mobility disability this was a problem for me as floor got very slippery.

Toilets

The toilet in my bedroom was not accessible and there was no grab rail or emergency cord. There is also a downstairs toilet by reception but don't think it's disabled accessible.

Staff

The staff were excellent. Before I visited I had to contact the hotel twice. Once to check about my room and they were happy for me to change it to one with a shower. Secondly I had difficultly getting a response from the taxi firms on the La Rochelle Airport website and when I contacted the hotel they promptly replied with a taxi firm who I was able to book. When I arrived the lady at reception offered to take my case to my room and checked I would be ok using the lift. Breakfast was a self service buffet although I was fine there was no member of staff in the breakfast room to seat guests when they arrived, however judging from the helpfulness at reception I think if I had said I said I needed help at breakfast they would arrange it.

Anything else you wish to tell us?

The hotel is an advertised 5 - 10 minute level walk to the Port, the main tourist area. When I went it took me a little longer. The hotel is not accessible for all. However staff are helpful and proactive. For people who can manage the 4 steps into the entrance and a slight step into the shower, the hotel is a nice choice, as it's not very large, the tranquil courtyard garden with roses is a delightful place to spend time, especially as the port area can be very busy, and the hotel and bedrooms are elegant and very spacious.

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