South West Bikers | Motorcycle Forum

Hi all

Me and the beloved are off on our first mini tour to Normandy in July for 4 or 5 days on the bike. There should be 3 bikes and 6 people.
Now the beloved has certain requirements...........

1. will definitely not camp
2. will definitely not share a toilet with anyone (maybe me at a push)
3. A Bar in the very near vicinity

Ok so it's not quite a Ted Simons adventure, or Charly and Ewan for that matter.......but i'm looking forward to it

Does anyone know of any "chain" style hotels like travel lodge etc ? I found a chain called formula 1 but shared loos...a big no no. I have had a look on the internet but due to an "interesting" hotel we booked in Amsterdam via the internet, i would prefer to go on recomendations. We thought about winging it but as there will be 6 of us it might be difficult to all get rooms so would prefer to book in advance

Cheers
Joey

This may be a bit far down for where you're planning, but it looks ok:-

http://www.bikersbedsfrance.co.uk/

Or if you're after a 'chain' hotel there's this lot, I've stayed in their hotels before & they're alright for the money:-

http://www.mercure.com/gb/home/index.shtml

From what I gather the Formula 1 chain are more like a truck stop than a hotel, basic

Hi Joey

We used one of these in Millau (much further down!) fairly basic, but everything you need and CLEAN - much as you'd expect from say a Travelodge over here. I'm with the 'beloved' on this one, but I have to say, we've done a number of trips now and generally (with the exception of one very memorable place ) places are pretty clean, welcoming and reasonably priced.

http://www.campanile.com/hotel/en/hotel-013032.htm

Good luck for your trip, the first of many?!

Thanks for those Links, just what i was looking for. I will let the beloved make the decision as Amsterdam was my choice, which i've never been allowed to forget I think it was the mouse running over the bed that finaly did it.

Want to get it just right so she will want to go again. With a bit of luck it will be the first of many (a bit further / warmer hopefully)

thanks again

joey

The best value (and probably the widest coverage) for 2 / 3 person rooms with en-suit facilities in France is provided by Etap Hotels http://www.etaphotel.com/gb/home/index.shtml

There are many of these hotel chains, but one of the main drawbacks of most is they tend to be on the outskirts of towns rather than in the centre. Look for "city" or similar type descriptions for ones a bit more central

A lot of fun can be had with non-chain one and two star hotels, or even "chambre d'hote"

A lot depends on your budget - Etaps are about £30/night per room with "Buffet style" self service brekkies, Campanile/Mercure about £60/night/room, or Ibis/Novotels tend to be £80-100/room/night. The mid price ones tend to have restaurants/bars within, the cheap ones nearby, the expensive ones also have things like pools, etc.

If you are looking for 3 rooms at the same hotel each night it might be wise to book in advance, especially in busy areas / tourist season. You'll take a real gamblejust turning up ......

Most of the chains operate to a decent level of cleanliness / facility, and at prices much better than here

This site provides links to a range of budget hotels http://www.eurapart.com/budget.html

Joey,

I go to France quite a lot and normally use Formule 1 hotels. Look for the website. They are basic but have a double bed with single bunk and a telly for 36 euro per night.

Tom

tomr61 wrote:Joey,

I go to France quite a lot and normally use Formule 1 hotels. Look for the website. They are basic but have a double bed with single bunk and a telly for 36 euro per night.

Tom

But they have communal, rather than en-suite facilities, which was particularly discounted in the original question

TLS-Moose wrote:

tomr61 wrote:Joey,

I go to France quite a lot and normally use Formule 1 hotels. Look for the website. They are basic but have a double bed with single bunk and a telly for 36 euro per night.

Tom

But they have communal, rather than en-suite facilities, which was particularly discounted in the original question

Thats why I said they were basic.

Thanks chaps

I'm afraid the communal (sp?) toilets are a big no no for the other half, but otherwise the formula 1 looked ideal

Rather go in a tent myself but that would be even worse for her ......sharing a bog ....and creapy crawlys

Nevermind, i / we will get there in the end

Joey

I agree with your misses on all three of those points..camping is the devils work, a hotel/B&B must have an ensuite bathroom and anywhere without a bar in the vicinty is a pointless spot on a map.

France is chock full of quality hotels and B&Bs for not much money (with the exception of Paris where they will gladly take the shirt of your back) so there is no need to worry about inflicting camping on her. I go to France pretty regularly (couple times a year) but usually down south, Never stopped in Normandy, sometimes I book other times I just work it out when I get there. like you say though 6 means pre booking is more sensible.