Trying to sleep under the Almond Tree
Written: Dec 04 '04 (Updated Dec 28 '04)
|
Product Rating:
|
|
|
Pros: Convenient location to break our journey
Cons: A tad noisy...
The Bottom Line: Not a western either
|
|
|
| proxam's Full Review: Bw L Amandier |
I've traveled the E411 route from Brussels to Luxembourg many times but it's always struck me as strange that such a busy and important road is somewhat devoid of hotel choices. There are very few options for breaking a journey, especially in southern Belgium. After an online search, we came up with the Best Western L'Amandier in Libramont.
This September, we flew from Prestwick to Charleroi Airport with Ryanair and from there we headed into Germany and toured around for a couple of weeks. Due to the time of our flight, around 1-2 hours from Charleroi was more than enough driving time. Libramont is a 1.5 hour drive, so that worked out just fine.
Libramont is in the heart of the Ardenne, around 2km from the A4/E411 motorway. The hotel is on the main road leading into town (1km) so it's almost impossible to miss it.
It's a modern, 3-storey building with 24 rooms, a restaurant and bar inside the main building, and a separate brasserie/bar next door.
We arrived around 8.30pm and had a little difficulty finding a parking place as the hotel's restaurant is very popular (as is the brasserie). We managed to squeeze into a tight space eventually and proceeded to reception.
The reception area is inviting enough, if a little on the small side, but there's a large lounge area off to the right - there's also a bar next to this. We had pre-booked so there was very little fuss in doing the necessary paperwork, although the young girl dealing with us didn't speak much English. She was, however, very pleasant and friendly and there were no real misunderstandings. We soon had our key and were on our way to our first floor room by way of the elevator.
Our room was decorated in a sort of peach-colour, which wasn't quite as bad as it sounds, with a dark maroon carpet. The walls could've done with a fresh coat of paint - they were clean enough, bit a little tired. Though not a large room, it was adequate without being spacious. We had a comfortable, king-size bed (although we'd requested twins), but the pillows were pretty useless, and there were bedside cabinets either side of a nice, teak headboard - one of which housed a clock/radio.
The good-sized TV (30 channels in all the major European languages) sat on top of the desk-cum-sideboard with mini-bar, which was empty and didn't, in fact, work. We also had a large wardrobe with oodles of storage space although as we didn't check-in till quite late, and were heading off first thing, we didn't need it! There were a couple of easy chairs and a small coffee table with a welcoming basket of fruit and a dish of sweets and chocolates - very nice.
The room also had an abundance of small lamps dotted around, but no big, central light in case you needed it.
We were at the back of the hotel and had a pleasant view over open countryside, but we couldn't open the window because there were swarms of mossies queuing up to feast on my beer-infused blood. We could've done with opening it and letting some fresh air in, as the room didn't have AC and it was a little on the stuffy side.
The bathroom was completely tiled, but as with the bedroom, it was also due for a bit of attention although it couldn't be faulted for cleanliness. As well as the usual furnishings, we had a bathtub and shower, which was powerful enough and had plenty of hot water. The room was well-lit, with a good mirror and vanity area, and was supplied with a hair-dryer. A good xpelair fan made sure the mirror didn't steam up too much, and there was a heater if we needed it. All the toiletries came in a lovely little basket and consisted of small bottles of shampoo, bath foam etc. The towels , while nothing to write home about, were fine.
As I said at the start, the hotel had plenty of eating options, but we settled for a snack in the brasserie/bar next door. The meals looked gorgeous, but we weren't all that hungry. I did manage to knock back a bottle or two of Orval though (it's produced not far to the south-west), and that's practically a meal in itself!
So, suitably awash with fine Trappist ale, I climbed into the large and comfortable bed and proceeded to nod of to sleep, perchance to dream...
...or at least I did until 3.45am when I was wakened by music.
Assuming it to be people in the next-door room, I eventually went out into the corridor but strangely, it was deathly quiet out there. I tried to sleep again, but the noise was still going on. I then ventured up to the next floor to investigate, all the while fearing for the safety of the selfish numptie who was keeping me from my (superfluous) beauty sleep. I was ready to knock on doors and invite the occupant to choose a window (to exit), Grrr...
Again, nothing.
Around 5am, while the music was gradually getting louder, I gave up on any plans for sleeping and investigated further. I went down to reception and was astounded to find out that the music was being 'piped' into the empty restaurant. I looked into the bar area and there were some staff, having a 'quiet' drink! Barstewards!
A quick "HAW YA TUBES, WHARRAFECKINHELLSGOANOAN*???" soon got things sorted out.
*Loosely translates to: "Excuse me sir, may I inquire as to the reason for all this rumpus?"
Sheesh!
Breakfast (a few short hours later) was included in the price and consisted of a fairly extensive cold buffet. It was fine, but there was far too much emphasis on cheese at the expense of anything else and the only flavour of yoghurt available was peach. Still, my usual breakfast consists pretty much of coffee and a cough so I wasn't totally devastated.
One of the staff approached us at breakfast and apologised profusely for the noise - I accepted her apology and that was the end of the matter.
We paid € 74 for this room, which is pretty good by Belgian standards.
The hotel is well placed, being close to the junction of two motorways which dissect southern Belgium, and is conveniently located for using as a base to explore the Ardennes. But better remember to take ear-plugs.
So, overall I've had better hotel experiences. I suppose I should've complained about things like the mini-bar not working etc. (not to mention the music blaring most of the night), but we wanted to be on our way quickly in the morning and I couldn't be bothered with the fuss.
However, I have no doubts that I'll travel that road again in the future and I'll also be looking for a hotel. It WON'T be this one!
Next time on Germany by proxy: My view on Eisenach, Wartburgs an' all.
Comfort Hotel - Eisenach
©proxam2004
Recommended:
No
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
proxam
|
 - Top 500 |
|
Location: De Leving's Toun
Reviews written: 505
Trusted by: 275 members
About Me:
Alcohol & calculus don't mix. Don't drink & derive
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.