Belfort's BEST Hotel? Boreal Hotel Review Will SHOCK You!
Belfort's BEST Hotel? Boreal Hotel Review Will SHOCK You! (And Maybe Your Wallet a Little)
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because I just got back from a stay at the Boreal Hotel in Belfort, and lemme tell you… it was a trip. Forget those glossy travel brochures, this is the REAL DEAL. Prepare for a review that's less "perfect hotel" and more "slightly chaotic, but ultimately delightful experience." We're talking honest-to-goodness opinions, folks, and maybe a few minor meltdowns (mostly internal, don't worry).
First Impressions & Accessibility: Not Completely Squeaky Clean, But They Tried
Okay, so the first thing that hit me was… the ambiance. Not what I expected. The exterior isn't quite as "rustic-chic" as the photos suggest. More like, "been-there-done-that-but-loved-it-anyway-chic." I'm going to be honest, the concrete walkway leading in wasn’t perfectly smooth. It was a little bit rough, and my aging knees were already complaining, but it was manageable. Accessibility: They do claim to be accessible… and I think they try? The lobby seemed pretty open, and I noticed an elevator. I'm not in a wheelchair myself, so I can't give a definitive verdict, but it appeared to be wheelchair-friendly. But, if you rely on that, maybe call ahead and triple-check. I’m not sure about the pool. I didn’t get to it, and I think that was my mistake.
Cleanliness & Safety: More Than Just Hand Sanitizer (Thank Goodness!)
Alright, let's get to the good stuff. During these times, cleanliness is on everyone's minds. The Boreal clearly takes it seriously. I saw the cleaners constantly disinfecting the common areas. They had hand sanitizer dispensers everywhere, and I mean everywhere. I am a super germaphobe, and I was pretty pleased. They even had anti-viral cleaning products, which, frankly, made me feel a little bit safer. The rooms themselves felt clean. I asked for a room sanitization opt-out, but they gave me this spiel about how they were extra careful and I would be missing a fantastic feature, so I let them. They had me convinced! They had hand sanitizer in the rooms, which was a nice touch. They had had individually-wrapped food options at breakfast, and it was a good decision because I saw people sneezing everywhere. I could do without a Doctor/nurse on call but again, a fantastic feature to have!
Dining & Drinking: The Buffet… A Battlefield, But an Affordable One
Listen, the buffet. HAH! I am not sure how I feel about buffets. I thought it’d be luxurious. It was definitely… an experience. The breakfast buffet was a classic case of “quantity over quality.” It was chaotic. There were a lot of people, and sometimes you had to fight for a croissant. The Asian breakfast was… interesting? Mixed in amongst the croissants and other breakfast items, it seemed out of place. But! If you are into that kind of thing, you might be pleased. The coffee/tea in the restaurant was fine, nothing to write home about. The Asian cuisine in the restaurant was not my cup of tea. I was hoping for a Western Breakfast, but it was not to my liking. There was a poolside bar, which looked tempting but I never got around to it. I did see some people enjoying their drinks. They also had a bar, which seemed more relaxing than the buffet, but I was on a tight schedule. You also get a bottle of water, which is always nice.
The Room: My Little Fortress of Solitude (Mostly)
Okay, so here's where things start to get interesting. My room? Pretty damn decent. Considering the price, I was happy. It had an air conditioning unit that blasted out some serious cold air, essential because it was sweltering outside. The bed was comfy and the linens were clean. The blackout curtains were a godsend for sleeping in. I really loved the desk, it was the perfect size! It had good working space. I have a lot of work to do, and it was a great spot to do it. I had a refrigerator, which was great for stocking up on snacks. There was a free Wi-Fi, which worked pretty well. I also had a mirror, in which I could see my entire body! There was a separate shower/bathtub, which I loved. I am an avid bath-taker! The slippers were a nice touch. I loved the little things. There was also a coffee/tea maker which was also very convenient. The alarm clock worked, and the wake-up service was spot on. There was a safe box, so you could keep your valuables secure. The TV had a good selection. I always look for a desk, and this one did not disappoint! There was an extra long bed. The socket near the bed was a very useful addition. The complimentary tea was a great bonus. The non-smoking was a must, and the smoke detector was in place. I liked having a window that opens for fresh air!
However, this wasn't a five-star experience. The soundproofing? Not amazing. I could occasionally hear… noises. The details are a bit foggy, but I recall a few… conversations through the walls. And the bathroom… well, let's just say the plumbing wasn't exactly state-of-the-art. There was also no additional toilet What I didn’t get to enjoy: Body scrub, Body wrap, Foot bath.
Services & Conveniences: They Got the Basics… and a Few Surprises
The Boreal offers some decent services. They have cash withdrawal, concierge, daily housekeeping, elevator, and laundry service. They also have dry cleaning and a luggage storage. They have a 24-hour front desk which came in handy. The car park was free of charge which was great because I hated having to pay for parking. They also had a car park [on-site] and valet parking which makes life much easier. They offer free bottled water! They also have a safe/security feature with a smoke alarm. They also have a hair dryer.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax: Spa Day Dreams (and Maybe a Little Gym Time?)
Okay, this is where the Boreal could shine, but my schedule was a little… hectic. They do have a fitness center, which I didn’t get to use. They had a Spa/sauna and a real Sauna, which sounded amazing. I always love a steam room, but didn't get around to it. They had a swimming pool which was tempting, but I was just too busy. There was a massage service, but not enough time.
For the Kids: Family-Friendly, But Do Your Homework
The Boreal claims to be family/child friendly, and had kids facilities, but I didn't see firsthand evidence of this. I'd suggest calling ahead if you have small children to see exactly what's on offer.
Getting Around: Getting Out of There Was Easy
The hotel offers airport transfer, which can be super helpful. They have a taxi service too. They have bicycle parking.
My Verdict: Worth a Stay? Definitely. But Manage Your Expectations.
Overall, the Boreal Hotel was a good experience. It's not a perfect hotel, but it's got heart. It's clean, it's got decent amenities, and the staff, while not always fluent in English, are genuinely friendly. The breakfast is an experience (in a good/bad/chaotic kind of way).
Would I stay there again? Absolutely. Especially if I could find a good deal! Just go in knowing it's not a luxury resort and embrace the slight imperfections. It's part of the charm.
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Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this ain't your average, clinically-sanitised travel itinerary. This is my Belgort, France, survival guide, and it's gonna be a bumpy ride. We’re talking Brit Hotel Belfort Centre-Le Boreal Belfort. Prepare for the glorious mess that is ME, in a charming French town.
Day 1: Arrival and the Great Hotel Room Shuffle
14:00 (ish): Arrive at Gare de Belfort-Montbéliard TGV. Whew. Trains. Always a bit of a drama, aren't they? Think I saw a pigeon steal someone's croissant. Classic France. Luggage, check. Mild existential dread about being in a foreign country, check.
14:30: Taxi (haggled down a euro, I'm a genius) to Brit Hotel Belfort Centre-Le Boreal. Okay, first impressions… it's… beige. Very… beige. Praying it's clean. My standards are low after a particularly sticky hostel experience in… well, let's not go there.
15:00: Check-in. Ah, the friendly face of the receptionist. Bless her. She probably deals with a LOT of confused tourists. Room key… wait, this isn't the room I booked! Small room. Hmm, the view is a wall. A very beige wall. A wall of disappointment. Back to reception. Cue awkward "I'm not sure this is what I expected" dance. Eventually, after some internal negotiations, get a room upgrade. Slightly less beige, slightly less wall. Success! A tiny little victory, after a stressful journey.
16:00: Unpack. Which really means, "dump everything everywhere" and vow to sort it out 'later'. 'Later' never comes, does it? Especially not on holiday.
17:00: Walk around the hotel. The hotel is not so bad. A little old-school, but who am I to judge? The lobby gives me the feeling of a French hotel.
18:00: Explore the neighbourhood. The town is charming. The locals are nice. I felt a little awkward at first, but getting the hang of it. The old town with the Citadel, worth a visit. The architecture is stunning. I'm already planning on spending more time there tomorrow.
19:00: Dinner at a local bistro. Tried to order steak frites like a true Francophile. Pronunciation fail. Ended up with… something vaguely resembling steak and fries. It was delicious. And the vin rouge? Glorious. Made friends with a grumpy French pensioner who kept muttering about Brexit. Made me feel a bit better about my own problems.
21:00: Back to the hotel. Collapse onto the bed. Realize I forgot to buy water. Curse my own ineptitude. Order a bottle of water from the mini bar. The prices are a complete rip-off.
22:00: Watch terrible French TV. Attempt to understand the subtitles. Fail miserably. Feel vaguely cultured anyway. Drift off to sleep. The first day is done.
Day 2: Citadel, Chocolate, and Existential Battles with Squirrels
08:00: Wake up. The bed is comfy. Decide I like this hotel after all.
09:00: Breakfast at the hotel. Standard continental fare. Bread, pastries, a slightly suspect-looking cheese. Managed to grab a pain au chocolat before the ravenous family next to me devoured them all. People on holidays are relentless.
10:00: Visit the Citadel of Belfort. Holy Moses, it's a climb. My calves are already screaming. But the views from the top? Worth it. Absolutely worth it. Saw the Lion of Belfort. Imposing. Majestic. Like, seriously, I can see why people made a national monument out of this thing. The history is compelling. France, you sneaky charmer!
12:00: Lunch. Found a small, unassuming café. Ordered a croque monsieur. Bliss. Felt a sudden, overwhelming love for French cheese. Could eat it every day. Seriously considering applying for a citizenship.
13:00: After lunch - back at the Citadel and did some more exploring.
15:00: Wander through the charming streets of Belfort. Stopped at a chocolate shop. Bought a small box of gourmet chocolates. Intending to ration them. LOL.
16:00: Sitting in a park, enjoying chocolates, and having a philosophical debate with a particularly bold squirrel. He seems to be judging me, this squirrel. Probably wondering why I'm not sharing. He wins. Give him a crumb. He runs off. I feel a profound sense of connection to nature. Also, slightly ashamed I can't understand squirrel language.
17:00: Back to the hotel. Take a nap. Holidays are exhausting.
19:00: Dinner at another local bistro. Tried a different, more ambitious dish, but it did not work. I ate most of it anyway. Because, well, when in France…
21:00: Contemplated the meaning of life while staring at the ceiling of my hotel room. Decided the answer probably involves more chocolate.
22:00: Sleep.
Day 3: The Brit Hotel and the bittersweet farewell
09:00: Breakfast again. Attempted to be "healthy" and ate some fruit. Regretted it. Should have stuck to the pastries.
10:00: Final exploration of Belfort. Picked up some postcards. Debated buying a beret (decided against it, my head is too big).
11:00: Back to the hotel to pack. Actually, I am going to throw clothes into my luggage and try not to think about it.
12:00: Check out. Said goodbye to the lovely staff at the front desk. Felt a pang of sadness.
13:00: Taxi back to the station.
14:00: Train. Looking out the window. Thinking about the trip. It was fun. It was messy. It was me. And, you know what? I'd do it again.
16:00: Exit.
Belfort's BEST Hotel? Boreal Hotel Review Will SHOCK You! (Prepare Yourself...)
Okay, spill the tea. Is the Boreal Hotel *really* amazing, or is this just hyped-up marketing fluff?
Alright, buckle up, buttercups. This is gonna be a ride. Honestly? The Boreal Hotel... it's... complicated. It's like a relationship. You have those dizzyingly perfect honeymoon moments, the "OMG, this is the BEST!" feelings... and then you hit the speed bump: the chipped mug, the slightly grumpy concierge, the questionable stain on the carpet (don't worry, I'll get to that)...
Let's get specific. What's the GOOD stuff? What actually *worked*?
Right, the good. Where do I even *begin*? The location is phenomenal, seriously. Belfort is beautiful, and the Boreal practically *is* Belfort. You're right in the heart of everything – shops, restaurants, the Lion of Belfort (don't miss it!), all practically at your doorstep. I mean, I strolled out one evening, grabbed a crepe (oh, the crepes!), and felt like I was living in a postcard. Also, the breakfast was... *glorious*. Fresh croissants, local cheeses, actual, proper coffee. I may have had three – don't judge me. Oh, and the view from my room? Stunning. Mountain views, city views... just breathtaking. It almost made up for... well, we'll get there.
Okay, so what's the catch? There's always a catch. What's the Boreal's *weakness*?
The catch, my friends, is like that friend who's amazing but always late. The Boreal has... quirks. Let's start with the elevator. It's tiny. Like, *really* tiny. I swear I saw a couple of people get claustrophobic just waiting for it. And the... ah... the *decor*. "Rustic charm" is one way to put it. "Slightly dated and in need of a refresh" is another. Some things felt a bit... old. And I mentioned the slightly grumpy concierge earlier? Yeah. Not the friendliest bunch. Service? Hit or miss. But let's just say, sometimes, you were on your own.
You mentioned a stain. Oh dear. Spill.
Okay, here we go. The stain. I'm not going to lie. It was on the carpet. In the corner of the room. Looked like... well, let's just say it wasn't water. And it was there. The entire stay. I tried to politely ignore it. I really did. But it was... persistent. Every time I walked into the room, there it was, judging me. I considered moving the furniture. I considered leaving a note. I considered just... never looking in that direction again. In the end, I just pretended it was a modern art piece. It wasn't a deal-breaker, mind you. But it did contribute to the, shall we say, *character* of the room. It definitely lowered my overall rating for the room condition.
The noise! Any issues with noise? Street noise? Other guests?
Yes, noise. This is a big one, worth noting! The hotel's location is fantastic, but it's also a double-edged sword. Being in the heart of Belfort meant I could hear everything. Late-night chatter from the crepe stand (which, admittedly, did sound delicious), the occasional car horn, and the general hubbub of a bustling city. It's not crazy-loud, particularly at night, but if you're a light sleeper, bring earplugs. Trust me. You'll need them. I'd say, the noise was really only an issue on Friday and Saturday nights but be mindful of this if you're considering a weekend visit.
Would you *recommend* the Boreal Hotel? Spill it already!
Okay, the million-dollar question. Would I recommend the Boreal? Hmph. It really depends. If you're expecting flawless perfection? No. Go somewhere else. But if you're after a truly *memorable* experience, with a generous dose of "charm" (and a tolerance for the aforementioned stain), then yes! Absolutely! The location is unbeatable. The breakfast alone is worth the price of admission. And despite its quirks, the Boreal has a certain something. It's got character. It's got soul. It's... imperfectly perfect. For me? I'd go back. I'd grab those earplugs, maybe bring my own carpet cleaner, and revel in the glorious imperfections. And of course, I'd have *another* croissant.
Any advice for future Boreal-bound travelers?
Pack light, especially if you're relying on that tiny elevator. Bring earplugs. Be prepared for slightly grumpy service (but try to smile anyway!). And most importantly? Manage your expectations! Don't go in expecting a five-star experience. Accept the quirks, embrace the imperfections, and enjoy the truly amazing things the Boreal has to offer. Oh, and maybe slip a little something in your pocket for the crepes... you’ll thank my later.
What about the wifi - was it available, and did it *work*?
Yes, there was wifi available. Though, and here we go again, with the "buts"...The connection was a bit spotty. Think of it like a toddler at a birthday party, enthusiastic but unreliable. Good enough for basic browsing and, yes, I managed to send a few emails. But if you are a digital nomad or need a rock-solid connection for work, probably not the best. Sometimes, I had to wander to the lobby, and I swear, even there it was hit or miss. "Is it on? Is it off?" It added to the charm, I guess. More like the hotel was on a bit of a holiday. Less work, more relaxing.
Any advice for booking the Boreal? Best time to go, best room to get?
Best time to go... hmm. This is difficult because I love Belfort. Shoulder season (spring or fall) would be lovely to avoid the crush of the summer tourists. As for rooms, I would definitely suggest requesting a room with a view. Even with the slightly dated décor, waking up to those mountain views makes it worthwhile.Best Stay Blogspot
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