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Le Meridien Nice
1 Promenade des Anglais
Nice, France
We stayed here for 3 nights in August 2007. We got a taxi from the airport which was a good option for two of us.
The hotel is in a great location on the Promenade des Anglais which runs parallel with the beach, the lobby is impressive, the room large but we didn’t have a view, and I’m sure if we had, we would have improved that rating.
Breakfasts were only ok and could have been improved with more options. Some mornings they had run out of certain items and were not replacing them even though it was not late. There is a McDonalds next door but we had breakfasts included in our package. There were plenty of restaurants nearby for dinner so we didn’t have dinner at the hotel i tself.
There were no free sunbathing facilities even at the pool (on the 9th floor) in the hotel or their private beach across the road. The public beach areas are pebbled so bring water shoes and something padded to lie on or you will need a chiropracter. We did pay to go to the reserved hotel beach area for a few hours, for which you get towels, a lounger to lie on and a beach umbrella. They serve you snacks and drinks which was quite an experience and very relaxing. Its one of those things you want to say you did ONCE, just to say you have done it, but a bit expensive and as I’m used to free sandy beaches so I found that a bit hard to take. They have a restaurant area and a pool there too.
We took a tour while we were there to Monte Carlo and Monaco one afternoon. I would suggest you book before you go so you dont miss out especially in the summer months. I use Viator.com  as I have found them to offer a good range and they havent let me down yet.
Overall we were pleased with the hotel except for the breakfasts. As they say location is everything and this hotel has the best.
Likes: Location, location, location
Dislikes: No free pool
Tips: Eat outside the hotel as there are many restaurants nearby
Mercure Roma Delta Colosseo
Via Labicana 144
Rome, Italy
 This hotel has a great location close to the Colosseum but the room I had (a single) was the smallest I encountered in my trip around Italy and in fact it was even smaller than the 1 star hotel I once stayed at in New York. I was there for 4 nights so it did matter more than if I had been only staying overnight. The shower was more like a step in broom closet. If you dropped the soap you had to step out and pick it up and step back in. Washing my hair was difficult. The sullen Manager added to the overall disatisfaction with the hotel. I must say the other staff though I encountered were polite and tried to be helpful.
Likes: Location
Dislikes: Tiny room
Tips: Stay somewhere else closeby
Waldorf Arc de Triomphe Hotel
36 rue Pierre Demours
Paris, France
We stayed at this hotel for 5 nights in August 2007. Our room was smallish, toilet in a corner so it would be uncomforable for anyone tall. Oh and the the water was hot in the shower if you worked it out right. The breakfast were good but again the tables were placed very close together so it felt cramped. The lift was very small only taking 3 -4 people at most or 2 people with luggage. They state it is just steps from the Arc de Triomphe but it is more like 10 - 12 minutes walk. Nice quiet street and area around the hotel but if we go back I think we would prefer next time to be closer to the Champs Elysees. We did several tours while we were there with Viator.com including Versailles on a Sunday when the fountains were flowing and it was just a fabulous experience.
The staff were very friendly and helpful. For the price I would have expected more but we had a nice stay overall.
Liked: Cleanliness and nice breakfast
Disliked: Cramped rooms
Tips: Walk around the area of the hotel so you see the real Paris where people live
Viale Europa 205
Florence, Italy
I stayed in this hotel in May 2006 as part of a Trafalgar tour. It is located about 10 minutes drive (3kms) south of the historical area of Florence and 5 kms to the closest railway station. The rooms are a good size and have a comfortable bed and the public areas of the hotel are very nicely decorated.
The restaurant and bar areas were very nice and food was hot and the staff friendly.
Via Lagrange
Turin, Italy
Stayed here for one night as part of a Trafalgar tour. It is located right in the middle of Turin and has a good sizes comfortable room.
Had dinner at the hotel which was average (probably because we were a group and given set menu) and then walked to the cathedral where the shroud is kept but only shown every few years. Got a feel of the place by being able to walk around so this location is good for that.
Breakfast was average.
Tip: Go to the Basilica di Supraga to get a great view of the city.
Novotel Venezia Mestre Castellana
Via Alfredo Ceccherini 21
Venice, Italy
Stayed at this hotel also as part of a Trafalgar tour. This hotel is very nice with a good size room and shower. From the hotel you can get to Venice by water taxi (the best way to get to see Venice and a very unique one). The hotel also has a shuttle but book early to get a seat.
 The breakfast was just ok and the staff spoke English and were very courteous. The dinner was a set menu as a group so I cant comment on what the menu was like, ours was ordinary.
I think this hotel would be better value than staying in the centre of Venice.
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HOTELS IN EUROPE
Hotels in Europe are so different from elsewhere in the world as often they are not as fancy as they are in the US and are as a rule much smaller.
If you wish to stay in historic hotels in Europe they are all individual properties, decorated to reflect the culture and surroundings. They can be also very expensive especially in the summer which is peak tourist season.
It is common,expecially in the lower class (1-2 stars) hotels, to have shared bathrooms and some single rooms may not be in the same area of the hotel as a twin/double and can be smaller again.
Dont expect European hotels to be what you would expect in the US but you are sometimes pleasantly surprised by their charm and character.
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