Unbelievable Besançon Stay! Citadelle Views Await at Best Western!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into the Unbelievable Besançon Stay! Citadelle Views Await at Best Western! – or as I like to call it, the place where my sanity (and hopefully yours) might actually take a vacation. Let's get messy with this review, shall we? Forget pristine, let's get real.
First Impressions & the Holy Grail of Cleanliness (or Lack Thereof, Sometimes)
Okay, first things first: Cleanliness and Safety. This is a biggie these days, right? Well, the Best Western seemed to be trying. They boast about "Anti-viral cleaning products," "Daily disinfection in common areas," and "Rooms sanitized between stays." Honestly, seeing the "Professional-grade sanitizing services" gave me a chuckle - like, does it come with a tiny hazmat suit for me? They've got "Hand sanitizer" everywhere, which is a HUGE plus because, let's be real, I've got the germaphobe gene on HIGH alert. They even offer the "Room sanitization opt-out available," which is a nice touch for those of us who think a little dust adds character. BUT…and it's a BIG BUT…I did find a stray hair in the bathroom. Now, was it mine? Possibly. But still…it made me side-eye the "Hygiene certification" for a quick second.
Accessibility: A Mixed Bag (Like My Sense of Direction)
Accessibility: This is important, so let’s get it out of the way. They trumpet "Facilities for disabled guests," but the devil, as they say, is in the details. Did I personally test the wheelchair accessibility? No. I was too busy dodging the rogue croissant crumbs in the breakfast buffet. (More on that delicious disaster later). But they do list an elevator, so that's a good start. Internet access is a must-have, and they've got the holy trinity: "Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!", "Internet," and "Internet [LAN]". Score!
The Room: More Than Meets the Eye (and the Stray Hair)
Alright, let's get down to the nitty-gritty of the room, which is where I spent a significant amount of time plotting my culinary adventures. And let’s be honest, that's what I really care about.
- Available in all rooms:
- Air conditioning: A must in the Summer
- Alarm clock: Because I am incapable of waking up on time.
- Bathrobes: Yes, please!
- Bathroom phone: In case you need to call room service to bring you more bathrobes (highly likely)
- Blackout curtains: Lifesaver.
- Coffee/tea maker: Obviously. Crucial.
- Complimentary tea: A nice touch
- Hair dryer: Essential for this unkempt hair.
- Internet access – wireless: CHECK!
- Laptop workspace: Nice.
- Mini bar: Always a yes!
- Non-smoking: Phew
- Refrigerator: For…things.
- Satellite/cable channels: Because sometimes you just need to veg.
- Shower: I am a shower girl.
- Smoke detector: Good.
- Wake-up service: See above.
Dining, Drinking, and Surviving the Breakfast Buffet
Okay, this is where the real fun began (and ended, sometimes in a delightful sugar coma). The "Breakfast [buffet]" situation was a rollercoaster. I'm a sucker for a good buffet, and this one held promise. They tout "Asian breakfast," "Western breakfast," and "Vegetarian restaurant." I went for the all-out approach and pretty much ate everything that wasn't moving. The croissants? Divine. Absolutely divine. That said, there was a slight…imbalance in the "buffet in restaurant" presentation. One day, the scrambled eggs looked suspiciously like they’d been through a minor earthquake. Maybe a little extra "Daily disinfection in common areas" in the kitchen wouldn't hurt?
I'm also a big fan of a "Bar," and the poolside bar really was a welcome delight after a day of travel. They also have "Coffee/tea in restaurant," which is vital. Especially after the aforementioned croissant escapades. And who can say no to a "Bottle of water" to rehydrate?
The Amenities: Ah, the Promises…
The "Swimming pool [outdoor]" was alluring, framed by those citadelle views. Just, you know, bring your own floatie. I did see a "Fitness center," which I'm pretty sure I walked past once. And then kept walking. And there is a "Spa/sauna," which sounds…amazing!
Things to Do and Ways to Relax (or Pretend To)
I love the idea behind the "Body scrub," and "Body wrap." What a beautiful thought. But after that breakfast, I was happy just to lay still.
Services and Conveniences: The Good, the Bad, and the "Is That Even Possible?"
The "Concierge" was genuinely helpful, directing me to the best patisseries in town (a crucial service, obviously). The "Laundry service" came in handy after my breakfast buffet adventures. The "Daily housekeeping" kept the place from descending into total chaos. There's a "Doctor/nurse on call" – which, hey, you never know. And a "Convenience store," which is brilliant for emergency ice cream.
For the Kids (Because I'm Basically a Big One Myself)
They list "Babysitting service" and "Kids facilities," which is great…if you have kids. I was more interested in the "Happy hour" situation. Priorities, people!
The View: Worth Every Penny (Almost)
The Citadelle Views are no joke. Seriously jaw-dropping. I spent a fair amount of time just staring out the window, fantasizing about escaping and living in a picturesque French town.
Getting Around (Or, How NOT to Get Lost in Besançon)
Parking was surprisingly easy. They have "Car park [free of charge]", which is a win. They also have "Taxi service," which I used a couple of times.
Quirks, Quirks, and More Quirks
The decor was a little…interesting. I’m trying to be polite here. Think "modern minimalist" with a dash of "slightly dated hotel chic." But hey, who's looking at the wallpaper when you have a view like that?
The Imperfections: Let's Get Real
I did have a minor issue with the Wi-Fi (it cut out a few times), but hey, it's a hotel, not a server farm. Also, a little more consistent hot water pressure in the shower wouldn't go astray. And as previously mentioned, keep a close eye on those scrambled eggs.
My Overall Verdict: Would I Stay Again?
Absolutely. Despite the quirks, the slight imperfections, and the near brush with breakfast-related disaster, the Unbelievable Besançon Stay! Citadelle Views Await at Best Western! has a lot to offer. The location is unbeatable.
The Unbelievable Besançon Stay! Citadelle Views Await at Best Western! – The Offer You Can't Refuse (Probably)
Here's the deal:
- Book now and get 15% off your stay!
- Free upgrade to a room with a citadelle view (while they last!). Trust me, you want the view.
- Get your hands on a FREE breakfast buffet voucher (yes, yes, the buffet!).
- Complimentary bottle of wine on arrival. You KNOW you deserve it.
- Special Offer: Book a stay of 3 nights or more and get a complimentary spa treatment.
- Our best prices are available on our web site; do not delay and book now!
This offer is available for a limited time only, so don't miss out. Besançon is waiting, the Citadelle is calling, and the croissants, oh, the croissants…are calling even louder.
KL Eco City Staycation: Backpacker's Paradise! (1+1 Deal!)
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're about to navigate the glorious, slightly-chaotic world that is my trip to Besançon, France, specifically from the supposed haven of the Best Western Citadelle. Let's be real, hotels… they're all just glorified boxes meant to contain you while you dream of croissant-filled mornings. And this one, well, it was a box alright, but let's delve into the messy details!
The Besançon Breakdown: A Very Human Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival and Apprehension (Plus, Croissants!)
- Time: 8:00 AM - The dreaded flight. Let's just say my carry-on resembled a small, slightly-overstuffed bear. The emotional rollercoaster of air travel commenced. Fear of turbulence? Check. Panic over whether I actually packed my passport? Double-check!
- Transportation: Airplane, plus the usual airport scramble of baggage claim (a slow hellscape), and the eventual triumph over that little trolley thing.
- Destination: Ah, Besançon. Landed in the vicinity, anyway. The actual flight arrived at a regional airport, nothing special except for some lovely, small french dogs.
- Anxiety Levels: High. Did I book the right train? Did I forget my toothbrush? Is my French as atrocious as I think it might be? (Spoiler: it was.)
- Quirky Observation: The plane's air vents were blasting a level of arctic air you could hang meat in. I swear I saw a single snowflake emerge.
- Emotional Reaction: Relief! Pure, unadulterated relief to be on the ground. And fear. Lots of fear.
- The Hotel Arrival: The check-in was… functional. The woman at the desk clearly didn’t want to be there, but hey, at least she spoke English better than I speak French.
- The Room: It was… fine. Clean, small (as expected), and with that distinct, indefinable hotel smell. I'm 90% sure it's a mixture of cleaning products and lingering sadness.
- Crucial Moment: Tracked down a patisserie a mere five minutes’ walk away which may have, ahem, contained the best croissant I’ve ever tasted. Flaky perfection. Butter rivers. Pure bliss. This, I decided, was the only important thing.
- Lunch: The world's most forgettable Croque Monsieur.
- Afternoon: Wandering. Just… wandering. Trying to get my bearings. Failing. Getting delightfully lost.
- Dinner: I thought I found a quaint, little bistro. It was. And they spoke zero English. It resulted in me pointing at things on the menu and hoping for the best. I got a plate of what I think was duck confit. It was… interesting. My French improved. A little. Or maybe I just got drunk on the cheap French wine. That's possible.
- Verdict: Day 1, mostly survived! The croissant was a win. The rest? Well, let's just say it built an epic foundation of awkward and delicious memories.
Day 2: The Citadel and the Soul of Besançon
- Time: 9:00 AM - Decent start, after a surprisingly decent night's sleep (hotel beds can be a gamble).
- Transportation: Walked (mostly uphill).
- Destination: The Citadel of Besançon (UNESCO World Heritage Site). The main event!
- Anxiety Levels: Lower. The wine, I think, helped. Plus, the thought of climbing stairs made me feel a little less guilty about the croissant-induced butter coma I was still experiencing.
- Quirky Observation: The Citadel is massive. Like, genuinely, jaw-droppingly immense. And the views. Oh, the views!
- Emotional Reaction: Awe. Pure, unadulterated awe. And a healthy dose of "how on earth did they build this?"
- The Citadel Experience (Doubling Down): Okay, let's talk about the Citadel. It's not just a "site." It's an experience. It's everything. The architecture is crazy, the history is so in depth, and the sheer scale of the place is overwhelming. Spent hours wandering through the various exhibits, which included a zoo housing a bunch of sleepy animals, and a museum of local history. I got lost. Multiple times. I probably mumbled a few panicked French phrases. I fell in love.
- Lunch: Picnicked! Bought some cheese, bread, and more croissants. Sat on a bench overlooking the city. Felt like a Parisian. Until I spilled cheese on my pants.
- Afternoon: More Citadel. This time, exploring the ramparts. Nearly tripped over the edge a few times. Definitely got a workout!
- Dinner: Decided to be brave and try a different restaurant. This time, I made it very clear I was a beginner at French. Got a salad… and a completely incorrect instruction book.
- Verdict: Day 2: Citadel conquer! The croissant victory continues. Learned a valuable lesson: never trust a map completely… especially not one that involves navigating ramparts.
Day 3: Besançon's Tiny Delights and Tourist Traps
- Time: 10:00 AM - Sleeping in. Because, well, vacation.
- Transportation: Walking, plus the very occasional bus (with a lot of confused fumbling and pointing).
- Destination: Wandering through old town.
- Anxiety Levels: Low. I now have the impression I could get myself lost in a foreign country.
- Quirky Observation: The city has an abundance of charming little shops.
- Emotional Reaction: Delight. Surprise. Frustration. The usual.
- The Unexpected Detour: Found a record shop. A real record shop. Spent way too much time browsing, and then, inevitably, bought a vinyl record. It wasn't something I needed. It wasn't even something I wanted. But the shop owner, with their friendly smile and love of music, made the experience irresistible.
- Lunch: Crepe stand! Savory crepe, sweet crepe, a sugar high.
- Afternoon: A "tourist trap" river cruise. It was cheesy. It was a little overpriced. But the river views were nice. And sometimes, you just gotta do the cheesy tourist stuff. I saw the Citadel from a different angle. That's something.
- Dinner: My last dinner! Decided to try my hand at ordering something more complicated at a restaurant. The waitstaff were patient, and when I saw what I'd ordered, all I could do was laugh. I'd somehow managed to order a plate of tripe. That's some serious local cuisine. I ate it. Maybe because I felt obligated to… I'm still unsure.
- Verdict: Day 3: A mixed bag! Some hidden gems, some tourist fluff, and some questionable culinary choices. But all in all, a very good day.
Day 4: Au Revoir, Besançon! (And the inevitable airport chaos)
- Time: Early. Unreasonably early.
- Transportation: Taxi to the train station, train to the airport, then the whole "airport hustle" again.
- Destination: Home.
- Anxiety Levels: Sky high. Getting home is always a mix of excitement and… well, a feeling of "what am I still doing in this foreign country?"
- Quirky Observation: Every airport seems to have its own unique brand of frantic energy. It's all the same, but, still, different.
- Emotional Reaction: All of them. Sadness, relief, a little bit of pride. And the distinct feeling that you should have stayed longer.
- The Goodbye: A quick, sad goodbye to the croissant place (I'll miss you, perfect pastry!), and a promise to return.
- The Flight: Smooth, thankfully. Although I spent the entire flight wondering if I’d packed everything (I hadn't).
- Verdict: Besançon, you quirky, beautiful, slightly-disorienting city. You were everything I hoped for. And, yes, I'd come back. Especially for the croissants.
And there you have it. A messy, human, and occasionally slightly bizarre trip to Besancon. It wasn't perfect. It wasn't Instagram-worthy all the time. But it was real. And, in the end, that's the best kind of trip, isn't it?
Aceh's Hidden Gem: Saril Riverside Homestay Paradise!
Unbelievable Besançon Stay! Citadelle Views Await at Best Western – Or, You Know, *My* Version…
Seriously, Is the View from the Best Western REALLY that amazing? I've seen the photos…
Okay, okay, let's be real. Those professionally shot photos? They're… well, they're professionally shot. They definitely amp up the drama. The actual view? It's GOOD. Like, genuinely good. But sometimes? You get a cloud. Or, you know, a construction crane (because, France!).
I remember one morning, I woke up convinced I was going to witness sunrise fireworks over the Citadelle. Popped open the curtains, ready for Instagram glory… and BAM. Gray. Just…gray. And a tiny, mournful drizzle. My inner monologue was basically screaming, "ARE YOU KIDDING ME, SUN?!". But even then, you could still see the outline of the Citadelle, majestic even in the gloom. So, yeah. Still amazing. Most of the time. Don't expect perfection, expect… France. And that, my friends, is pretty darn good.
Is the hotel actually *in* a good location for exploring Besançon?
Okay, this is a BIG YES. Like, a YES with a capital Y, bolded, and maybe even underlined. You're right *there*. Basically at the foot of the Citadelle. Which is, you know, a UNESCO World Heritage site, no biggie. Getting to the historic center involved a lovely walk along the Doubs river. (And yes, I *did* take a detour at one point to watch a particularly determined duck try to steal a croissant out of a woman's bag. That was more interesting than the tourist map, truth be told).
The location is superb. Absolutely superb. Don't even think twice about this. It's worth the price of the room *just* for this.
What about the rooms? Are they, you know, clean? Comfortable?
Clean? Yes. Comfortable? Mostly yes. Look, I'm a relatively low-maintenance traveler. As long as the bed isn't rock hard and there are no creepy crawlies, I'm happy. It's a Best Western, not the Ritz, so manage your expectations accordingly. One minor hiccup: my first night I wrestled with a tiny, ancient TV remote that seemed to have a mind of its own. Eventually, I just gave up and read a book. Which, honestly, was a blessing in disguise. Sometimes, the best travel experiences come from embracing the tiny frustrations.
And the shower? Excellent water pressure. That's important to me, after a long day of wandering. Seriously. Water pressure is underrated.
Breakfast – Worth It?
Okay, so here's my confession: I am a breakfast snob. I LOVE breakfast. I dream of breakfast. The Best Western's breakfast buffet? It's…adequate. There was the usual suspects, yes. Croissants, bread, some questionable fruit. The coffee? Eh. Let's just say it wouldn't win any barista awards.
But then… then! There were these tiny little pain au chocolats. And, oh my goodness, *they* were perfect. Crispy, flaky, chocolatey… I may have had three. Or four. Maybe five. (Don't judge me, it was the only good breakfast I got in France. I am a good judge of breakfast by the way. I *am* the Breakfast Queen). So, worth it? Yes, for the pain au chocolats alone. (Seriously though the rest was fine - nothing stood out)
Any advice for surviving the French experience? Like, actual tips, not just "learn French"?
Okay, LISTEN UP. Forget the polite smiles for a moment. Here's the REAL deal:
- Embrace the chaos. Trains might be late. Restaurants might be full. The waiter might ignore you. It’s okay! Go with the flow, or drink three espressos and be the *first* person through the door to the train station.
- Learn a few basic French phrases, especially "Bonjour," "Merci," and "S'il vous plaît." It goes a long way. Even if your pronunciation sounds like you’re speaking Klingon. They appreciate the effort!
- Don't be afraid to get lost. Seriously. That's how you find the hidden gems, like the tiny patisserie I stumbled upon that made the most amazing apricot tart ever. (You'll never get a tart that good. You missed it. Sorry. I still get dreams about that tart.)
- Pack comfortable shoes. You WILL be walking. And you might be walking for hours. Heels are pretty. Comfort is key.
- If someone asks if you want to go to a wine bar, say YES. Always. Especially if the view is great. And even if you hate wine.
Would you stay there again?
Honestly? Absolutely. Flaws and all. The view, the location, the proximity to the Citadelle...it all adds up to a pretty darn lovely experience. (And I'm still fantasizing about those pain au chocolats!). It’s not a perfect hotel, but it’s a perfect *base* for exploring Besançon. And sometimes, that's all you need. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to search for apricots…
