Hotel Du Nord

“If you don't mind warm, muggy rooms you'll be fine here during summer months.”

Our family of six just checked out after a two night stay at Hotel du Nord. There are quite a few things to like about this hotel, and unfortunately a few to dislike. To begin, it is an easy, flat 8-10 min walk from train and bus stations, and centrally located in the lovely town. The lobby and bar… more

Our family of six just checked out after a two night stay at Hotel du Nord. There are quite a few things to like about this hotel, and unfortunately a few to dislike. To begin, it is an easy, flat 8-10 min walk from train and bus stations, and centrally located in the lovely town. The lobby and bar are beautiful and modern, as are the grounds and rooms/bathrooms. We were greeted by friendly staff at the front desk throughout our stay, and our bags were stored and then delivered to our rooms while we walked around town prior to our check-in time. The breakfast was delicious and well stocked. The bathrooms very modern and very cool. Speaking of cool....the rooms were not. I mean quite literally not cool. The bed and pillows were comfortable, while the chairs and desk not so much. (Still adequate, but nothing super comfortable.) The real problem we, in all three separate rooms, experienced was how uncomfortably muggy, hot and humid they were. No A/C is usually fine with me (though not with others in my family). In fact -before anyone accuses me of being a spoiled American tourist -please know that I prefer no A/C and don't have it at our house in the States. However, none of these rooms have SCREENS for the windows to let in the cool, evening mountain air!! While the room fans two included) helped a little, they still were not enough. None of us slept well, and consequently have been irritable for the last two days. To top it off, the Gestapo-like breakfast staff guarding the entrance/exit will not allow "guests" ( term used loosely) to take their coffee back to their rooms! I have worked in hotels before, and stayed in many around the world. This was a first for me. In fact, they wouldn't even provide to-go cups unless we paid extra. If I had it to do over, we would not have stayed at Hotel du Nord. With a few minor improvements though, namely window screens, bathroom exhaust fans, and a more normal, less rigid breakfast policy, I would perhaps change my mind. (Also, lids for the ice bucket you have to get at the bar would be nice. Without lids, the small bucket of ice turns to a bucket of water rather quickly.)

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