On 13/10/2010 20:37, Roger Moss wrote:

"Mike Mather" wrote in message
...

"BrritSki" wrote in message
...
On 08/09/2010 12:48, Ace wrote:
On Wed, 08 Sep 2010 12:29:16 +0200,
wrote:

I'm thinking of staying there on a drive back to the UK later this
year.

Anyone know if/how you can get into your room if you arrive after
reception closes. Is there a credit card reader or something at the
entrance ??

Not sure about ETAP-labelled ones, but Formule1 and the like have an
unmanned service - CC in slot, key-card out. But ETAP are definitely
24/7, whether manned or not, so you'll be fine.

Thanks.

AAMOI why ETAP? And where, for that matter?

It will be somewhere north of Rheims in December, probably Laon.

ETAP is a little more expensive the F1, but the extras such as
en-suite and breakfast and the location near the autoroute make it
the best choice as far as I can see.

If you have other suggestions I'm listening....

I've used ETAP on many of my driving trips to Europe. We usually stop
around Beaune on the way down and Reims on the return.
They are usually manned pretty late anyway on weekends but have a
credit card machine reader that issues a key card or code for the
rooms. The car park is also usually controlled access.

Not a bad place to crash for the night. Clean rooms with en-suite and
sleep 3 with a bunk over a double. Breakfast is nothing to write home
about! They are usually on retail parks, so like Ace says there is not
much in the choice of restaurants.

Mike
I tend to use Hotel BB for cheapo stopovers - probably the equivalent of
Première Class, so only a little more than F1 prices, but much more
liveable. They have the automated check-in systems for bank cards,
although if you know where you're aiming for I'd book ahead online to be
sure of a room.

Tend to be reasonably well-located, clean and offer free WIFI. Buffet
breakfast (5.90 euros, IIRC) is reasonable, and good value compared with
the prices generally climbing in most hotels these days.

Bonne Route!
Roger
www.mountainpassions.com

Thanks for that Roger - looks much nicer than F1...