We are planning on touring the Loire Valley during the second week of May. Planning on two nights in Chinon and two nights in Amboise. I realize it is usually best to make reservations before, but are they necessary in the area? We are still working out the itinerary for the trip! We also have Chartres, Fontainbleau and Nancy during this trip! Also, thoughts on Novotel?! Thank you for your time, Debra
Posted by
Seattle, Washington, USA
16 posts
I stayed at the Novotel years go and it was fine. We are spending two nights in Amboise may 15 and 16 and decided to go a little upscale. From memory, 3 chateau were enough, a plan I will follow again, albeit a different mix. Weather permitting we are thinking balloon rides
Posted by
NSW Australia
703 posts
when travelling through europe we have stayed at a few novatel 's. One in Nancy as it turns out. usually they have been very large and modern, a bit sterile. more of a 'standard' hotel room rather than one with character. if you did not know, you could be anywhere in the world so we tend to pick them in the larger cities, if they suit. ( car parking and proximity etc)
hope this helps.
Posted by
Florida, USA
12172 posts
There's nothing wrong with Novotel. I think of them as a business travel type hotel - clean and efficient rather than cozy or quaint.
I very rarely make reservations before my trip and always find a place to stay, most often in my first choice of accommodation. I travel with a loose itinerary. I may stay longer or shorter in each place depending on how things go. Because of that I can't always predict when I'll arrive in a particular destination (and I'm determined not to be handcuffed by my itinerary).
If you really want to stay in a particular place and your itinerary is set enough to be sure of your dates, get reservations. Sometimes that's the case for me. For example I really like Burg Stahleck, on the Rhine. I like it so much, I'm willing to lock in part of my itinerary so I can stay there; it's always full and I won't get a room if I don't book ahead.
Posted by
OP
4 posts
Thank you! Appreciate the feedback. While traveling around Germany we didn't make reservations because there are so many pensions above all the restaurants etc. wasn't sure about those options in France. Right now we leave Paris Sunday 8th and our next reservations isn't til Monday 16th in Versailles area then stay near CDG our last night! So wide open for now. Novotel sounds like a good option. Thank you again