La Folie

What People are saying

A mixed bag

Wentworth1 on 15/07/2015 10:58

Whilst not in the centre of Nevers, it is not a particular problem as you can walk along the bank of the river into town (around 1.6 miles). We walked along the road (there is a mown grass verge) initially until the road joined the river, however having got back to the hotel we say a path immediately opposite the drive and we think that this went down to the river and could have avoided the walk on the road.

The hotel itself was build in the 70s and really shows its age. Our family room wasn't particularly pleasant. Cheap sheets on the mattresses. The biggest problem however was the toilet which was a saniflo type in the centre of a minute airless cupboard. As the toilet was set in the centre of the cupboard, it was virtually impossible to close the door and use it. The flush was close to useless. Almost certainly the worst toilet in any hotel I have ever come across. The separate shower and sink had a curtain rather than a door. Whilst it had been redone, what should have happened was for the toilet, shower and sink to be put into a single room with a door. The room was very hot being on the top floor of a building with a flat roof and no AC. As the windows open in, you can't close the curtains and have the windows open at night. There is a ceiling fan and a standing fan to try to help.

The reception desk closed in the evening (it was a Sunday) and we needed a code to get back in at 8pm. The restaurant also didn't open so it was all a bit depressing.

On the other hand, on the Monday morning, when the shutters went up, the terrace for breakfast looked very nice. There are also two tennis courts and a swimming pool.

Surprisingly secluded and quiet, with great access to the Loire

martin41339 on 14/04/2015 22:32

This hotel is really quite a find. We stayed in a couple of the external rooms which were located diagonally opposite the entrance, and very convenient (it wasn't raining). The rooms are large, and pretty well finished, with all the amenities one expects of a modern hotel. The beds (ours were twin rooms, rather than doubles) were quite comfortable to ensure a decent night's sleep, and the bathrooms are small without being cramped. No bath, just a shower, but a bath would have been superfluous anyway. As the rooms were on the ground floor, I would have preferred slightly larger curtains over the windows. As it was, they were barely large enough to cover the window aperture, and as they were not flush to the wall, did tend to leave a gap around the edges. Fortunately, there were not many residents at the time, but I can imagine that it may make some guests feel a bit uncomfortable and exposed - as it were! The dining arrangements were slightly unconventional - two dining rooms, connected through glazed doors - we dined in the smaller of the rooms, as that was where we had been directed. We did arrive towards the end of service, but as the only ones in the smaller room, we could see other diners in the larger room being served and felt distinctly ignored until I had to go into the main dining room to attract the attention of one of the staff to get served. Breakfast was restricted to the smaller dining room, and that was fine, as it only provided one room for the staff to cover. As it was, breakfast was really very good, and we didn't want for anything. A wide range of cooked and light food was quickly served. The staff were courteous and discreet, but very attentive, a complete difference to the previous evening.

Misleading

Pat K on 21/04/2013 21:57

Booked this hotel as it stated it was close to the Cathedral and Convent where the incorrupt body of St Bernadette lies. It is not its a decent taxi ride away £10 plus tip. I got the feeling we got a poor room in an off wing. Comfy beds but a definitely no frills/cash conscious and for 90 euro a night which Expedia quoted me at £76 and pennies was actually pennies under £80 for room only, no tea/coffee in room. Coffee in the morning was 3.90 euro. I priced it for next Saturday exactly one week later and They are quoting £47 and pennies. (About right in my book) I feel ripped off and that I fell for savvy marketing. Could have got the Best Western on the very door step of everything for a similar price, wish I had. bottom line £50 ish if the weather is good and you don't mind a 40 odd minute walk and being in the sticks then that would have been different. Its Clean. 5.60 euro for a 50 of not bril beer but wine was decent at 3.50 for a 25 cl carafe.

Excellent stay

eric t on 31/08/2012 13:34

I had read the comments on trip advisor about La Folie, some negative, but went ahead and booked anyway. I have to say I found the hotel to be very good. All of the staff, without exeption were very welcoming and friendly. I only speak a little French, but they helped me get by. The room was fine, the breakfast room and restaurant were good. We had breakfast, which is a typical French buffet, and had an evening meal too. The Plat de jour was excellent. We used the swimming pool a few times, and it was just the thing to cool down. It is a little way out of town, but the walk into town, along the bank of the Loire river was beautiful. It did take us 30-40 minutes, but we enjoyed it. We also walked home, and got a taxi too. At the time, the taxi fare was just under £10. I would recommend this hotel to anyone. Isn't it nicer to stay in a family run hotel, rather than a large chain? And the location of this one is lovely.

Friendly, basic, relaxed hotel.

Paul B on 31/08/2012 10:41

A very French menu in the restaurant (Frog's legs, tete du veu, steak tare tare, snails etc). Excellent service from start to finish, really friendly staff, small pool, nice tennis courts. The decor is jaded but the pros outweigh the cons.