Premiere Classe Valence Nord - Saint Marcel les Valence

The breakfast was very good, but the matrasses were poor.

The hotel was clean and comfortable. We arrived very late, around 2am and there was someone at the reception who didn't speak much english but we understood each other. I wasn't expecting much of the hotel because of the price but I think overal was very good. The only thing I saw as a downside is that our room was just above where people go to smoke so I had to smell the cigarrete smoke because the room was boiling as the air conditioning wasn't working. When we arrived to the room, we opened the door and a funny smell came through my nose, like a wool smell but then got used to it. I would say do not book in Summer even if it's for one night because if the air conditioning is not working, you won't be able to sleep at all. Althought is near the motorway, it is very quiet. There is a chinese restaurant next door, mc donalds just 1 minute walking, I saw a steak restaurant next to mc donalds and a few shops accross the road but don't know how to get there (B&M and some other shops that I don't remember). It is about 1 1/2 hour from Lyon airport.

It started bad, and didn't improve. The moment I was about to press the "reservation" button on my phone, a message appeard "The price has just gone up 6 euros". I should have aborted right then and there, but I was too tired to search for another hotel so I booked it. The site said "arrivals until 9pm". I arrived at 8.15, only to find the reception closed. I had to look for the automatic check-in machine. There I saw that I still had to pay the tourist tax by card, but the machine refused to accept my American Express card. I tried several other cards, finally my Wise Visa card was accepted. When I opened the door to my room, there was another person already in it. Apparently they had booked the same room twice. We both went downstairs and since the reception was closed we had to go to the breakfast room where we saw some employees. When we entered we were greeted by angry faces, the type of you better have a very good explanation why you dare to disturb us. Finally the other person got a different room. During the night the airconditioning made some weird noises all the time, even after I turned it off. In the morning Ilooked for the breakfast buffet and then realized that I had just passed a tiny counter with a few baked goods and jam. When I asked if they had plates,, the answer was simply "No, we don't". Had to put my croissant right on the tray. I drank my cup of coffee (luckily good coffee), and left.

The hotel is getting old and needs a bit of a TLC, many little bits and bobs are faulty or missing. We using it for many years and seeing it deterioration and lack of maintenance is rather sad. However, the location is very convenient, it's close to the motorway, shopping centre and several nice restaurants are right next to it.