Anyone stayed in Formule 1 in France/Belgium, on way from Dunkirk to Austria

[disguisedeb]

It's a cheap stay but then I read the reviews, also looked at Premier classe , anyone stayed in these?

We stayed in a Formula 1 in Dijon many many, years ago - never again! We arrived half an hour early to find the place locked up (I remember I was desperate for the loo). Evidently they gave you a code if you were going to be early, but we didn't know this.

The room was ok, but I seem to remember that the showers were separate (ie communal!). I have no recollection of where the toilet was, ie in our room or communal again. Breakfast was a real bun fight and we were so glad when we left. My husband did suggest in subsequent years that we try them again but I always refused.

I stayed in one 10 years ago between Dunkirk and Germany/Switzerland. It was fine. Clean and quiet, but yes the shower was definetly shared and I think the loo was as well. All clean though.

It has been a long time since I did it, but for a no-frills overnight stop we always found them clean and the family rooms (with the overhead bunk bed) worked well. Yes, showers are separate from the room IIRC. We just grabbed our breakfast and left (ate it in the car).

Go for the premier classe/etap as they are almost as cheap, and if you have dc is easier to have the the shower and loo ensuite - we had a miserable night a few years back in a formule 1 in dieppe when DS2 had diahorrea, running along ccorridor to loo, cleaning out each time after him...but a much less stressful one last year in a premiere class iwith ensuite bathroom ( when he had diahorrea....)
Also, book direct online, as then you can access the hotel with your credit card/access code before the receptionist comes on duty - I made the mistake of booking once with a booking agency (no cheaper) and had to wait for the receptionsit to arrive...
Beware tho' - the rooms will smell of smoke, even tho' they are 'non-smoking' and can be noisy. I stayed in one recently in Laon where the door did not shut, and the receptionist came and showed me the 'trick' which involved lifting it up on its hinges....
you get what you pay for.

thanks everyone,I think we'll go for an Ibis budget, more money but own bathroom which I think will make things easier!!