If like me you are the sort of person who prefers to stay in more moderate hotel accommodation in order to have more money to spend on things like eating out (or the purchasing of horrific souvenirs) you may be interested to know that to celebrate their 30th anniversary, some of the brands that fall under the Accor umbrella are offering a limited number of rooms at special rates this year. It does mean that you can't alter your reservation and won't qualify for a refund if you cancel but for those travellers who are willing to risk that, there are bargains to be had.

You walk straight into the reception area/lobby where there are a handful of bistro tables and a bar counter. I informed the rather handsome receptionist in (even if I say so myself) impressive German that we had booked two rooms and he responded in perfect English - much to my annoyance. If I have spent eight years learning German I expect to demonstrate my skills in a German speaking country and not be addressed in English!

We requested and were allocated non smoking rooms which meant that we would be on the first floor and we were directed to the glass lift by the door. It was just big enough for four daft Geordies, each carrying a holdall. The corridors are wide and well maintained although as sparse as one would expect in this kind of hotel.
First impressions of the rooms were good: bright, airy and much larger than expected. The décor was neutral and the furniture was well considered with enough hanging space for a couple of nights, suitable chairs for using at a desk, adequate task lighting and a very comfortable king-size bed. An extra quilt was stowed in the wardrobe although there were no extra pillows and I certainly would have liked an extra one.

As it was a very hot day and the sun was beaming fiercely into the room we were pleased to note that the curtains actually did meet in the middle (without leaving gaps at the edges!) and that there was also a roller shutter that could be operated from a button situated on the wall beside the bed. However, it was clear that the shutter could also be operated from outside the room too because it twice descended at times when we would have preferred it to have been raised. All rooms have air-conditioning though this is not controlled individually but responds to the general temperature of the room: however small changes can be made by guests although we would have preferred to have cooled the room down much more (27 degrees at nine pm!).

We decided not to take breakfast at the hotel but found plenty of cafes and bakeries in the area for a cheap and quick breakfast. What I can tell you is that the buffet is available between 6.30 and 10 am but if you require breakfast before or after these times, there is a limited continental breakfast available between 4.00 - 6.30 am and 10.00 am and 12.00 noon.

As far as our own requirements go we found no problems with this hotel. The room was clean and comfortable and the limited contact we had with the staff was positive. However, I would suggest that the special rate we paid was about the right mark for what we got and that the full price is a shade too much. Given its location I would think that most guests are business people whose companies are footing the bill.

Check in/check out - noon; there is a free and secure luggage room should you wish to leave your luggage before or after check out.