Drivng through France to Spain

[karenrc]

We are driving from Cherbourg to the Pyrenees in August and would love to hear of any good hotels or hotel chains we can overnight at. We are 2 adults & 3 kids (6, 3, 1). Big issue will probably be needing a cot each night as we are not intending to take our own. All suggestions welcome!

We have often been to the SOuth of France & Spain, and always stay in a Novotel family room. Breakfast is included in the price & for us it is cheaper than a cheaper chain where we would need 2 rooms (DS is 9, DD 14).

We have stayed at various ones, Dijon, Orleons etc, but our favourite is at Chambray les Tours because it is right next to a shopping complex with lots of cheap eateries nearby (My children love The Flunch there!). The restaurant at Novotels is good but a bit formal & pricey for us after a solid days driving. This won't be on your your route, but would recommend Novotels - beds comfy & pool for kids to cool off in.

Would suggets the french bed & breakfast system. We have a book called Maisons d'hotês en France. Lots of lovely big houses to stay in, many with pool & that will cook an evening meal. We have 3 kids & have found this worked really well.

Have to agree with Milliways - Novotels are fab for families and kids. We have stayed at Dinard ad Rouen South . Rouen even had a playstation and games room right next to the bar (which pleased DH no end) and our 18m old loved it!! It's also near other restaurants and a small wood and had a pool, woodland walk area and activity park. they have pools, play areas and the food is good - they really spoiled the kids. May be a bit pricier than some of teh other chains but the cots were v good quality and we wouldn't stay in anything else!!

Milward where did you get your Maison book from please?

Also try Ibis hotels, one level down from Novotel but part of same chain (owned by Accor as are Novotel). They have a very good website.

Thanks for the advice so far. I have just ordered 'Maisons d'hotes en France' through Amazon.fr.

Triplets - Ours is the 2000 edition. It's a Guide de Charme, Payot & Rivages; isbn 2-7436-0566-9 - got it abroad. It's in french but many owners will also speak some english. It's a great book - has a map as well.

Also have a look at the B&B sections of www.specialplacestostay.com and www.gites-de-france.fr

Another vote for novotel. We've used it quite a lot. I would say the restarant meals are not good for children and avoid the swirl lolly stick- hyperactivity here we come, but breakfast is usually very good.

All the rooms are laid out the same so when you get up you don't get that where am I confusion if you stay at lots of different places

Thanks Milward. As there are 5 of us does Novotel do rooms that big, its too expensive to keep paying for two rooms.