Hôtel des Augustins

Central, attractive, but ... Aix-en-Provence is beautiful - but SO expensive. This is a superb address, just steps away from the Cours Mirabeau. The entrance is stunning: on previous visits to Aix I'd peeped in ... but now I've actually stayed here! Checking in, I felt very welcome - and I heard other guests being advised and helped very pleasantly, in French and English. But I have mixed feelings about my stay. First concern: the stairs up to the rooms from the entrance hall are VERY steep indeed - and the lift is very slow to react. You pays your money ... I was quite comfortable in room 101 (!) but it was expensive. The room was pleasantly furnished but not perfect: the electric socket next to the bed didn't work, for instance, and the over-bath shower arrangement was far from ideal - almost impossible to shower without water getting everywhere. There was an air-conditioning unit in the room but no means of turning it on. Fortunately the May weather, though hot, was not too hot, allowing me to keep the windows open. No insects/mosquitoes but there was quite a lot of street noise. This made me feel part of Aix and it didn't go on too late☺. Breakfasts were pleasant though to be honest for the price I'd have liked more savoury - maybe even cooked? - choices. Lots of good cakes, plus yoghurts, produits laitiers, etc. (standard supermarket fare). "Could do better". You simply couldn't find a more central, convenient place to stay in this wonderful town ... but maybe there are more canny choices?

Clean but needing some help. My curtains were broken and did not fully close, also there were businessmen in the breakfast room on calls which made for a noisy breakfast room. I don't think this is good practice for a hotel to allow this. However the staff were friendly and helpful and the room was clean.