Hôtel des Arcades

Tried to write a longer version of this but the system always defeats me. Older person, laden. Was in despair arrival at 9.20pm last night, locked door, impenetrable, dark, isolated. Pin number no avail. Kind French taxi driver rescued. Once in, distinctly okay. After breakfast of first class items, feeling pretty good. All in all, very good value, but run on French family lines, not necessarily big hotel lines.

This is small hotel in the beautiful historical center of Rouen. Location is superb, satisfactory service, friendly staff, very good coffee. Maintenance is very poor, water was flowing from under the sink, wallpaper on the walls in some places broken, finishing room is old and scruffy, no air conditioning, noisy at night (street noise). Price is quite good. The hotel is quite acceptable if you just need a place to sleep in a great location at a low price.

We used to regularly stay in this hotel on long weekends away from London (not too long after the Channel Tunnel opened), some 12 years ago. On visiting Rouen again on 7/7/12 and 8/7/12, we spent a nostalgic night in the Hotel Des Arcades. Although it has now changed ownership, it has remained the quiet 'family feel' hotel we knew so long ago. Basic, but clean facilities and a quiet, functional atmosphere. Superb location right near the stunning Cathedral and a short walk from the old market and the equally impressive Église de Jeanne D'Arc. The only down side was some very early in the morning, apparently drunken, disturbance in the area around the hotel, and when we visited our vehicle the next morning, parked nearby in the picturesque Place des Carmes, we found that someone had wilfully smashed our rear number plate off its mountings.... Could have been some recession inspired, far right, anti-British act, or just opportune vandalism by some drunken reveller - or a bit of both. Either way, a big hassle only temporarily solved by the purchase of some sellotape for the journey back to London. Despite this, we highly recommend a visit to Rouen. It's a fascinating mixture of winding medieval lanes and stunning cathedral architecture, and the massive Sunday morning market was a revelation. The Hotel des Arcades offers a quiet place to stay in the heart of the old town. Just be careful where you park your vehicle overnight.....

This is a comfortable place to sleep in the city core. All the rooms are upstairs of a shopping district. It is an older place and typical older Europe type accommodations, but the sheets and the in-room bathroom were clean, the walls were thick, and the price was right. Driving in was a problem as ewe arrived late at night and some of the streets had been closed to automobiles. But, we got there and parked on the street next to the hotel. They take credit cards and serve a good breakfast for an extra charge. Friendly folks running the place, soap and shampoo were provided.