Whats the pecking order of French motorway hotels please?

[improbablesaint]

if you were to book. Family de cinq ( grandes enfants)

Well In previous years we used Etap a few times. They were very reasonable. Don't remember being unhappy with the cleanliness of the rooms. Very basic, but private bathrooms. Breakfast was cheap too and was quite enough for us before setting off driving again. Are they Ibis Budget now ?

I haven't stayed in Formule 1. I think they are shared bathrooms. didn't fancy that.

B&B chain don't look too bad. We were due to stay in one last summer- but changed our plans so didn't need to. They look quite okay - and get not too bad reviews on line.

The only negative with some is that they are tucked away on a grotty industrial estate - so watch where you will be located. If you wanted to go for a walk for dinner after checking in.

Oh, have stayed in a Campanile once too. It was in Bayeux. I quite liked it there. Was a little more expensive than the Etap I think, as was breakfast, but it was close to the town and the car park was large and it felt safe.

Book a chambre d'hôtel . A family of 5 with big/ adult kids will almost certainly need 3 rooms in a chain hotel in our experience .

We are 5 and have had nice " characterful" suites for 5. Usually with rooms leading off each other etc ( doesn't bother us but obviously why they are cheaper as they have to be rented as a unit).

I second Theas suggestion of a private small hotel/b&b too.

Much more interesting - and you get more of an experience.

Our DC are a older teens now - so we just book a room for us, and a room for them to share. There are some nice places, some may be a bit tired,b but it's part of the fun.

Where are you going ?

Formule 1are just a bit too basic for us. Etap and Campanile both good. Bedrooms sleep 3 (bunks), so you should get away with two rooms.

We like Hotel B&B chain, although their family rooms only take 4, so you'd need two rooms. They are in the middle of industrial estates, but if you are just breaking your journey, we find that's fine and saves significant travelling time. There always seems to be a range of (chain-style) restaurants within a very short drive - often a Breton crepes place, which is at least a change from fake US fast food! The accommodation is very basic but it's fine, and very cheap. And the breakfasts are fantastic and very good value.