Ibis Douai Centre

This Ibis is run by a friendly, enthusiastic and helpful team. Parking is convenient outside the front of the hotel and it is in a quiet neighbourhood. Breakfast is good and the coffee excellent. It’s perfect for a stopover. The hotel is in an historic stone building dating from the 17th century, next to the old cannon foundry which closed in 1867 (this has a pleasant garden dating from 1990 which is easily accessible). Little of the old character of the hotel remains but the consequence of its age is that the positioning of windows is strange. They all have new good quality secondary glazing but the old wooden windows are scruffy and hard to maintain. It shows. Rooms have individual electric heaters but there is no air conditioning - I would not want to stay here in hot weather. The bathroom was the smallest I have experienced outside a cross-channel ferry. It worked OK though but as ever Ibis towels are a bit small and a bit thin. It’s a good hotel for a stopover - the beds are very comfortable and quiet - but unless you have a reason to be in Douai then Arras, Amiens or Lens are better options. Douai has little to offer the visitor apart from its spectacular belfry and the town itself is rather rundown.