Montpellier Getaway: Unforgettable Stay at Best Western Hotelio!
Montpellier Getaway: Unforgettable Stay at Best Western Hotelio! Or, You Know, Pretty Darn Good. (A Messy Review)
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I'm about to spill the beans, the croissants, and maybe a little bit of the saucisson on my experience at the Best Western Hotelio in Montpellier. Let's be honest, I'm not a travel blogger, I'm a human. And humans, well, we're messy. And sometimes, we need a good getaway. Montpellier seemed like the ticket. And the Hotelio? Well, let's dive in…
First Impressions (or, "Did I Pack Enough Hand Sanitizer?")
Right off the bat, the accessibility looked good. I didn't personally need it, but the photos showed ramps and elevators, which is always a plus. Wheelchair accessibility is a big win for anyone traveling with mobility challenges. Seeing that upfront gave me a good feeling. Plus, knowing there’s elevator access means avoiding any stair-climbing heart attacks.
Now, the hygiene stuff? HUGE. This is 2024, folks. We're all about the Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Room sanitization between stays, and the fact that they’ve got Sanitized kitchen and tableware items is a major relief, especially considering I'm basically a germaphobe. Hand sanitizer everywhere? YES, PLEASE! The Staff trained in safety protocol and Physical distancing of at least 1 meter made me feel somewhat safe, and probably way more than I would have on the Parisian Metro.
The Room: My Little Bubble (and the Bed Was Surprisingly Comfy)
Okay, the room. Let's be real, it wasn't the Ritz. But it was clean, functional, and most importantly, the bed was gloriously comfortable. Like, seriously, I could have stayed in that bed for a week. The blackout curtains were a lifesaver, too. Because, you know, jet lag. Amen.
I appreciated the little things, like the free Wi-Fi, the complimentary tea and free bottled water (essential!). I always judge a hotel by its coffee situation, and the coffee/tea maker in the room definitely passed muster. More importantly, the Wi-Fi [free] worked. That's a major win in my book. Seriously though, can we talk about the desk? It was actually a decent size, which is amazing when you need to get some work done (or, you know, meticulously plan your next cheese course).
**Also, a quick shout-out to the *hair dryer* (saved me time), the mini bar (tempting, but resisted, mostly), and the in-room safe box (put my passport in there, felt like a secret agent).** The safe dining setup was much appreciated with Individually-wrapped food options being quite common, which is great.
Food Glorious Food (and, Maybe, a French Fry or Two)
Alright, the food. This is where things get interesting, and also where I might have temporarily lost my mind to carbs. I’m not a food critic, but I do love to eat.
Breakfast: They had a buffet. Yes! But thankfully, there was also Breakfast takeaway service and Breakfast in room which was perfect for my days of not wanting to see anyone. The International cuisine in restaurant was fine. I wasn't blown away, but it did the trick. I did love the juice, there was some Asian breakfast option as well. They had Western breakfast and buffet as well. The service was good, and the food was above average, and the Breakfast [buffet] had everything. It was a solid start to the day. The Coffee/tea in restaurant was excellent.
Lunch/Dinner: The A la carte in restaurant was good. The Restaurants were overall pretty good. There was Asian cuisine in restaurant, but I am not a big fan of that. The salad in restaurant and soup in restaurant were good enough! No complaints.
Drinks/Snacks: The bar was conveniently located, and I may or may not have partaken in a Happy hour or two. The Poolside bar was a great addition. The Snack bar was good too.
The Spa/Pool/Relaxation Zone (Because, Hello, Vacation!)
Okay, this is where I had a confession. I'm not a spa person. I'm more of a "sit-on-the-couch-and-watch-bad-reality-TV" kind of guy. But, I did check out the Swimming pool. It's Swimming pool [outdoor] and had a view. Beautiful. I was tempted by the Spa and Steamroom. The Fitness center was there, which is cool if that's your jam. A Body wrap always sounds appealing, as does a Massage. But, I'm lazy. But I did find myself lounging at the pool, and it was magical!
The “Things To Do” (Or, "Did I Actually Leave the Hotel?")
Montpellier itself is gorgeous, and the Hotelio was conveniently situated to see the city. I utilized the Airport transfer and Taxi service. There’s a Car park [free of charge] and Car park [on-site] available too!
The Not-So-Perfect Bits (Because, Let's Be Real)
No hotel is perfect. I didn't love the lighting in the bathroom, and sure, I would have loved to have a jacuzzi… Small things, really.
The Verdict: Would I Go Back?
Absolutely. The Best Western Hotelio in Montpellier exceeded expectations given that the hotel is of an affordable price point. It was a solid, comfortable basecamp for exploring the city. The staff were helpful, the room was clean, the bed was heavenly, and the pool was a lifesaver. For the money, it was a fantastic experience.
Here's a (slightly frantic) Offer for YOU (Because, Why Not?)
Montpellier Getaway: Your Escape Awaits!
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- Free Car Parking
- Free Breakfast
Why Choose the Best Western Hotelio?
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Indonesian Paradise: Your Private Pool Villa Awaits! (Villa #FR86)
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's perfectly-manicured itinerary. This is real travel, with the sweat, the tears (probably from the cost of a croissant), and the sheer glorious chaos of it all. And we're starting in… Best Western Hotelio Montpellier Sud France. Pray for me.
Day 1: Arrival & Existential Dread (Montpellier, France)
14:00 - Arrival & Check-in – "It's a Room!" (Hopefully)
Okay, so, the flight was a beast. I swear, I was sandwiched between a screaming toddler who clearly hadn't slept in three years and a guy who smelled vaguely of old gym socks and regret. But, hey, we survived! Touchdown in Montpellier. Now comes the moment of truth: The Hotelio. My prayers were answered, the receptionist? Adorable. Checking in, the room feels… generic. But, it has a bed. And a window. Maybe this isn't a total disaster.
- Anecdote: Immediately upon entering, I did the classic hotel routine. I frantically started searching for the wifi and the room was so still that my heart was slightly pounding with the excitement.
- Quirky Observation: The elevator music is a bizarre French polka. Seriously, who chose this?! I'm half-expecting a clown to pop out.
- Emotional Reaction: Initial relief, then a wave of "Oh god, I'm actually here. This is real. What if I mess this up?" Followed by a desperate craving for coffee.
15:00 - Accidental Street Wander & "A-Ha!" Moment
Armed with a (terrible) map and even worse sense of direction, I stumble out of the hotel. Montpellier is… well, it's beautiful. So many narrow streets, ancient buildings, and enough cafes to make a caffeine addict weep with joy. I get utterly lost. It's glorious. I accidentally stumble into the Place de la Comédie and it hits me. This is it. This trip is going to be okay. That is some kind of good.
- Messy Structure: Seriously, I thought I could navigate, I was wrong, completely lost in the maze. Got momentarily grumpy, then decided to embrace the chaos. Wandering is my new mantra.
- Opinion: I think the French are secretly trying to confuse tourists with their ridiculously gorgeous city layouts. It's working.
16:00 - Coffee & Croissant Crisis
Must. Have. Caffeine. I find a charming little boulangerie and order a croissant and a coffee. The coffee is tiny but strong enough to raise the dead. The croissant? Flaky, buttery perfection. Then it hit me. I can't speak French. So, I sat in the cafe, with a great view, and just watched.
- Emotional Reaction: Pure, unadulterated joy with the coffee and croissant, followed by a brief panic attack when I realized I couldn't communicate with the barista.
- Rambling: Okay, so, the croissant was expensive. Like, Parisian-level expensive. Suddenly, I'm considering selling a kidney on the black market to fund this trip. Worth it though.
18:00 - Dinner Fiasco (Hopefully, Not a Literal Fiasco)
Okay, I'm hungry. Time to brave a restaurant. The menu is entirely in French. So I had to point at some foods, praying that I wouldn't end up eating a plate of snails. I ended up with a dish that smelled delicious, and looked beautiful. The waiter (who seemed to find my attempts at French hilarious) was very nice, even if I didn't understand half of what he was saying.
- Emotional Reaction: A mix of excitement (new food!) and terror (speaking a foreign language!). Food was delicious, thank god!
- Minor Category: I learned, the hard way, that “eau du robinet” means “tap water”.
Day 2: Montpellier Exploration & Emotional Rollercoaster
09:00 - Breakfast Buffet of Champions – Or At Least, Slightly Regretful Choices
The Hotelio breakfast buffet. Ah, the siren song of stale croissants. I am trying to be healthy this trip. But this croissant is calling my name.
- Opinion: Not a bad spread! Way better than I expected.
- Quirky Observation: The woman at the next table is wearing a headscarf, holding a newspaper, and eating three croissants. My kind of woman.
- Emotional Reaction: Pre-coffee dread, slowly giving way to slightly caffeinated… optimism? Possibly?
10:00 - Exploring the Jardin des Plantes & Existential Reflections
I head to the Jardin des Plantes. This place is gorgeous. So many flowers! so many trees. It feels a little like being alone in a Monet painting. I sit on a bench and spend an hour watching a flock of pigeons. What is life, anyway?
- Messy Structure: Okay, so, I took some amazing photos, but got distracted and spent a lot of time just wandering.
- Stronger Emotional Reaction: This place is making me feel… wistful. I love a botanical garden, especially if it has a well-placed bench.
12:00 - Lunch & a Lesson in French Patience
More food! This time, I choose some kind of sandwich. This time, I feel I failed. I go to a cafe in the middle of nowhere, and the cafe owner, a gorgeous, grumpy man, took a little while to give me my sandwich. The sandwich was good! But the wait was long, and I realized my french did not get better with each day.
- Rambling: I need to learn French. I mean, I really really need to learn French.
14:00 - The Montpellier Cathedral - A Religious Rave
I visited the Montpellier Cathedral. It was absolutely breathtaking. I sat there in silence for a long time. I let the beauty wash over me, and I felt at peace.
- Doubling Down on Experience: I spent so much time at the cathedral; and I could have stayed there all day. I am not even religious but something about it really made my soul happy.
- Opinion: If you ever come to Montpellier, this is a must-see.
17:00 - Apéro Hour: The Art of Doing Absolutely Nothing
Aperol Spritz time! Found a cute little bar with outdoor seating. I've earned this. Just drink, people-watch, and pretend to understand the conversations around me.
- Anecdote: Someone tried to sell me a fake designer handbag. I, of course, declined. French people are very very good at doing nothing.
- Emotional Reaction: Bliss. Pure, unadulterated, Aperol-fueled bliss. Maybe tomorrow I’ll face the challenge of the French language.
19:00 - Dinner & Dark Thoughts
I am starting to hate this trip. I'm starting to hate the French. I am starting to hate myself.
- Messy Structure: I had dinner at a lovely restaurant. The food was delicious, but I barely touched it.
- Stronger Emotional Reaction: I want to go home.
Day 3: Departure & The Inevitable Post-Trip Blues (Montpellier to… Somewhere)
09:00 - Farewell Breakfast & Re-evaluation
Okay. I woke up this morning, and I am starting to feel a little better. Breakfast at the hotel. The croissants weren't stale. I made a little bit of conversation with the receptionist and I smiled at the bar-tender. I'm probably going to get on the plane. I'm okay.
10:00 - Departure – Farewell, Montpellier (For Now?)
Check out of the Hotelio. This feels like the end of a movie. There are definitely some sad feelings. There's an end. I actually really like Montpellier. I’d definitely go back. The trip was a mess. I miss it already.
- Emotional Reaction: Sad to leave. The trip was far from perfect, but I learned a lot.
- Opinion: I can't wait for the next trip.
This itinerary is a mess. It's honest. It's funny. It's absolutely human. And that, my friends, is a perfect trip. Enjoy the travel.
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Montpellier Getaway: Unforgettable Stay at Best Western Hotelio! (Or, You Know, *Mostly* Forgettable?) - FAQs
Okay, so, Best Western Hotelio... Is it *really* unforgettable? Because my memory's kinda... well, it's a sieve.
Unforgettable? Let's be honest, the Montpellier sun itself is pretty unforgettable. The Hotelio? Hmm, definitely carved a little notch in my memory bank. Mostly because of... *reasons*… I'll get to. But "unforgettable" in the sense of "I'll never forget the beige wallpaper" or "the slightly-too-firm mattress"? Maybe. More accurately, it was a *solid* experience. Not a mind-blowing, life-altering, "I'll write a novel about this" kind of trip. But hey, it's a place. And hey, I slept there.
What's the vibe of the hotel? Modern? Cozy? Like, a prison cell with a slightly nicer bed?
Okay, picture this: moderately modern. Definitely not a prison cell. More like a… well, let's call it a "functional" hotel. Think clean lines, maybe a touch *too* clean, honestly. Like, someone's been sterilizing the air vents with a flamethrower. It was… fine. Not the kind of place you'd immediately Instagram, but perfectly acceptable for a few nights. I wouldn't describe it as "cozy," unless you find beige and standardized furniture inherently cozy. I'm not judging. Everyone has their comfort zone. Mine is... slightly less neutral.
Tell me about the location. Easy to get around? Am I going to spend half my vacation lost in a maze of cobblestone streets? (I have a terrible sense of direction.)
Location? Ah, now we're talking! The Hotelio's actually pretty well-placed. Montpellier is a beautiful city, by the way. Seriously stunning architecture. Anyway, the hotel's within reasonable walking distance of… stuff. Restaurants, the historic center (where you WILL get lost, by the way, even if you're a navigational genius – trust me, I saw *many* maps crumpled in frustrated hands!), and public transport. The train station was pretty close, which was a lifesaver because, let's just say, *walking* everywhere after a few too many glasses of rosé (yes, I had some) wasn't ideal. So, yes, accessible. And bonus: I *think* I found a really great crêperie a few blocks away. It involved a lot of wandering, but worth it.
The breakfast! Important! Does the Hotelio offer a decent spread? Because I’m a breakfast person. A *very* breakfast person.
Okay, breakfast. *Deep breath*. It was… continental adjacent. Think: croissants (some were good, some were... well, let's just say they were making a valiant effort), some cheese and ham things (again, variable quality), yogurt, coffee (essential), and the usual suspects. It wasn't a gourmet experience, but it filled the hole, which is all you really need, right? Especially after a night of, ahem, 'researching' the local wine scene. I'm going to be honest: I may have skipped breakfast one morning. It was a *very* late night. But the coffee was good. That counts for something, right?
What about the staff? Are they friendly? Helpful? Or do they just look perpetually exhausted by tourists?
The staff? Generally friendly! They were pleasant and helpful. They spoke decent English, which, for my rusty French, was a blessing. I remember one guy at the front desk, Pierre, who was particularly patient with my attempts to order a croissant in broken French. Bless him. He deserves a medal. Honestly, they weren't particularly *memorable* in a good or bad way, which is probably a good thing. No horror stories to report, which is always a win in the travel game. Just... *competent* and polite. Which, you know, is fantastic!
Anything else I should know *before* I book? Any hidden gems or, you know, potential disasters?
Okay, here comes the REAL tea. *Deep breath*. I'll be brutally honest. This part deserves it's own section... because… Okay, so. My room… had… *interesting* ventilation. I'm not going to lie, the first night I was like, 'Huh, this is a bit stuffy, but hey, it's Europe, character, right?' The second night? I woke up at like, 3 AM, gasping for air. It was like sleeping in a terrarium. I tried opening the window, but even the tiny crack was a bit terrifying due to the location and that I have a fear of heights. I guess I just had to tough it out. It wasn’t ideal. I contemplated moving rooms, but honestly, the thought of packing and unpacking again after the wine-fueled exploration of the city (again, worth it)… no. So, if you like fresh air, maybe request a room with a working window. I'll be honest, the hotel had a perfect location, a comfortable bed, and the staff was extremely friendly, but that one room, that ONE ROOM, was a sweaty, stuffy, minor inconvenience. It wouldn’t stop me from recommending the hotel, but definitely something to think about while booking!
Value for money? Worth the price tag?
Honestly? Yeah, probably. Montpellier in general isn't *cheap*, but the Hotelio seemed reasonably priced for what it offered. Considering the location, the cleanliness (generally!), and the overall ease of getting around, I'd say it was worth the investment. You're not getting luxury, mind you. You're getting comfort. You're getting convenience. You're getting a place to rest your weary head after a day of exploring (and possibly overindulging in rosé). And for me, that was enough. Plus, the staff was really kind. They helped me out of a bind while waiting at the airport, it was great! So yes. I would recommend. If your okay with potentially warm rooms, I highly suggest this hotel.
Final verdict: would you go back?
Would I go back? Hmmm… Honestly, yes. Despite the Great Ventilation Incident of ‘23. Montpellier is a beautiful city, and the Hotelio was… fine. I'd definitely request a room with a good window, though. And maybe pack a small fan, just in case. But yeah. Good location, friendly staff, and a decent price. For a city break? Absolutely. Just remember to pack some deodorant. And maybe a sense of humor. You'll need it, in case your room is anything like mine. But honestlyBoutique Inns
