Unexpectedly Delightful Hotel in Center of La Ciotat
11/11/2019 Dov I, Saratoga, California
Quite frankly, when advised that I was going to be attending a three day meeting at a three star Best Western hotel in a town I never heard of, La Ciotat, my expectations were not particularly high. (... more
Quite frankly, when advised that I was going to be attending a three day meeting at a three star Best Western hotel in a town I never heard of, La Ciotat, my expectations were not particularly high. (Three stars normally doesn't connotate a particularly good hotel and “Best Western” is not really a major hotel chain such as Marriott, Hilton, or Hyatt as opposed to a marketing/booking association)!
However, my stay at the Best Western Premier Hotel Vieux Port well-exceeded those expectations.
Although I wasn't able to get one of the “deluxe” rooms with a harbor view, my standard room was excellent and reasonably spacious. The room was very quiet, the bedding was excellent, and I slept very well all four nights of my stay. The bathroom included an good-sized stall shower (must preferred over U-shaped European bathtubs that nobody, especially business travellers use).
It was very impressive that the hotel's internet was quite high speed (typically at least 50 mbits/second) and sustained such speeds even in meetings in which upwards of 20 persons were simultaneously using the hotel's internet service.
The fourth floor meeting room was quite adequate for our group's needs (although a more modern high definition projection system would really help).
The included breakfast buffet was quite fine (although the staff should keep hot food such as eggs warmer in their serving trays). The pastry and fruit refreshments provided by the hotel for our meetings were excellent.
The hotel does not have its own full-service restaurant although there is a separately-owned restaurant in the same building. That restaurant provides a rudimentary “room service” during limited hours. Our group had lunch in that restaurant each of the three days of our meetings; I was underwhelmed by the offerings. However, there are numerous other good restaurants within 5 minute walking distance of the hotel.
The staff was very friendly and accomodating!
Important Note – There is absolutely NO regular taxicab service at the La Ciotat railroad station. If you are arriving by or leaving by train, you must make prior arrangements for car service to meet you at or drive you to the station. Such car service may be arranged with the hotel (albeit such car service is a bit pricey!). If you don't make such arrangements, your only alternative is an exceptionally long walk or a shuttle bus that runs occasionally that comes within about four blocks of the hotel.
Bottom Line – I wouldn't hesitate in recommending this hotel and staying again if I ever need a room in La Ciotat. This three star hotel is better than many four star properties that I've stayed at in Europe! less