La Bonne Franquette

Convenient location, across the street from the intercity bus stop, tourist office and a grocery store. On the main town square, with stores, coffee and pastry shops, bars and eating places (including one downstairs) within 1-2 minutes walking distance. Quiet central location. Our room was clean and well maintained, but cramped because of its shape. Few appliances other than a hair drier and a TV; no microwave oven, refrigerator, coffee pot, etc. Not a bad place to stay for a week-end, but small and spartan for a longer stay. Besides English and German, the staff speaks Flemish/Dutch.

This was the first stop after 600 miles driving only to find the hotel locked up. I had seen that the Restaurant was closed on Monday and Tuesday (from their own website, but not **********) one of the reasons for choosing this hotel, but did not expect the Hotel to be closed. At the door there was a sign saying we speak French, z German and English. There was a note on the door (in French only) which I worked out said if you arrive to find the door locked call this number. I called to hear an answerphone message, so I left a message of my own. After 15 or 20 minutes some German Bikers arrived to try to book a room. I explained our predicament and one of the bikers said that he would try to call. His call was answered and he was told there were no vacancies, he explained our situation and was told, yes we have their message and they would call me shortly. I was then called and given a code to enter the hotel and told our key was in the room. This could have been much better managed by a short email message in advance of our stay by telling us that the hotel would be unmanned and that we could access the hotel by using the following access code, as we have done with other self-catering holiday homes.