 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi all,
Coming down for another week over Christmas but am thinking of getting into France and then stopping for the night.
I've had a look at Saint Omer and there are a couple of cheap and cheerful places but wondered if anyone had any suggestions.
By the time we are through the tunnel it will probably be about 10ish French time so don't want to go too far.
Thanks
Gary
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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We've stayed http://www.hotel-bal.com about 20 minutes down the road from Calais - cheap, clean cheerful and easy to find with parking.
Also here http://www.brugnobois.com/ which has to be the cleanest place I've ever stayed, very lovely - with secure parking and again about half an hour or so from Calais.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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There are several of the chain hotels in Bethune, a bit further than St Omer but less of a detour off the autoroute.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Lots of cheap & cheerful hotels scattered all along the routes from Calais. Just use the net to find one and book in advance.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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I'd want to be well south/ east of Calais before I stopped anywhere cheap and cheerful.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@GaryCantley, stayed here a few times in similar circumstances (late night crossing and wanting to get an early start)... http://www.good-night-hotel.co.uk
Not far off the motorway and only about 40 mins from Calais.
Comfortable enough to sleep well. Can get a small buffet breakfast too.
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www.jungle.fr
Gets quite a lot of good reviews from the cheap and cheerful types who are looking to move on
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@Markymark29, St Omer shouldn't be a problem then.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Holiday Inn Express at Lille Ouest.
It's right next to the Motorway junction. 24 hour check in, free parking and breakfast. I think it was 90 euros for 4 sharing a room last winter.
It's about an hour from the tunnel.
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We usually keep going until Reims Tinquex and spend the night there.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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I often stop in a picnic area in Belgium and kip in a sleeping bag in the front seat. But once I did stay in the travel lodge style place only a few km from the tunnel. Can't recall the venue but it was fine.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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B&B Hotel in Lens, about 10 mins from the autoroute, a Carrefour fuel stop 2 mins before, its brand new and 40 mins or so from Calais. Book on line in English. Breakfasts are reasonably priced.
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| rungsp wrote: |
www.jungle.fr
Gets quite a lot of good reviews from the cheap and cheerful types who are looking to move on |
Made me smile.
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You know it makes sense.
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^^ ouch....thought it but didn't dare!!
My point regards being well away from Calais was a serious one. Its not the migrants rather the gang masters that are lurking about I'd be wary of, came through Calais August BH Monday and there were some really dodgy looking folk in west Belgium services (nothing new there I hear you say) and around Calais main motorway in I wouldn't like to have to stop, I'd be personally getting down to Rheims area if it was me....
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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I always stopped at Béthune in winter when crossing late. I've also stopped at Laon à few times but à fair bit further. I stopped in Arras Monday which was very pleasant but I was à lot earlier.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Ibis in laon is great, if you've got a car full of stuff the fenced car park gives a little reassurance!
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Keep an eye out for the locals...
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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We have found that Saint-Quentin is an ideal stop over, just off the motorway and a choice of supermarkets with petrol stations and thus a keen price. The BB Hotel ( http://www.hotel-bb.com/en/home.htm ) good value for money with a choice of restaurants on foot or a short drive away.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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The Hotel Pot d'Etain just outside St Quentin is great. Motel style rooms with parking right outside, patio doors to terrace, and a nice restaurant. It's only a short drive off the A26 too.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Set off early and keep driving is my best advice, once they see a car full of goodies your an instant target.
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Hi I went in May...took the cheap last ferry to Dunkirk, for an early morning start we stayed at the FastHotel in Grande Synthe £50 inc breakfast for 2
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We came through Calais yesterday about 1, quick stop at Majestic and then rather a tedious wait at the terminal, bit the sun was out, and a bunch of friendly firefighters from Birmingham on their motorbikes after a short trip away were good company while waiting. All very peaceful on the roads bit I did see something late last night that there was trouble at about 3 in the afternoon. Glad that we were in the lounge on the ferry as there were some very smelly people when we were on those dratted narrow stairs going back to the car.
We stayed as usual at the Val Moret, there must have been at least 12, if not more, old classic type cars there, Belgian plates, who were on some sort of rally/tour which must have been fun.
Just booked the VM again in December for a trip down and back to Les Gets before Christmas. Tried the Auberge des Moissons for the return but it was all booked so thought we had better get something booked.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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@Pamski, the Auberge is full for the saturday I wanted to book it for too. And closed when we travel down in December.
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@Hells Bells, ah maybe it is closed when he was trying to book on the 23 red. Thanks
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@Pamski, it looks like it is closed from 18th December until 8th Jan.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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+ 1 for Bethune.
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@Pamski, must get a move on and sort out our Autumn trip. Just realised it's only 3 weeks away.
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You know it makes sense.
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@Hells Bells, that is a shame as we will be going south again around 6th. Better get that one booked too!
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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@Pamski, like ships passing in the night. One day we might be on the road at the same time. We have met a couple of other snowHeads at Moissons.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Once again, this time, I did the journey in a day. Crossed on the 0820 train, arrived at the apartment around 2130. Long drive, especially with some hours of driving rain on the autoroute, but I find one long boring day is preferable to 2, and I am lucky to be within not much more than 2 hours of Folkestone.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Many thanks for all the suggestions. It now looks that one of the family won't be home til late evening on the Friday so it's another night drive for me. 
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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If you can make it down to Reims, I can highly recommend the hotel we stay at called the Akena City Reims Bezannes. It’s a budget hotel and we book via booking.com so very cost effective but unlike any budget hotel I’ve ever stayed in it’s really clean, comfortable, modern and friendly..! 24 Hour reception which is important to us and they do food / snacks at the hotel too.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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| rungsp wrote: |
www.jungle.fr
Gets quite a lot of good reviews from the cheap and cheerful types who are looking to move on |
Though it would seem most would rather find some better accommodation on the other side of the Channel! 
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@p20pjd, is there a resto nearby? After a long drive in the car, hubby is always promised a decent meal and a good bottle of wine. Hotel snacks won't cut the mustard. Otherwise it looks like a good shout.
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@hells bells, not sure as we didn't venture out. I say snacks, but was quite happy with moules and a pot of cassoulet and the obligatory bottle of red (champagne was available but thought better of it). i was very surprised at the place given it was just £50 and most of all it felt very 'safe' unlike some of the other cheaper end hotels we've stayed in, that's a whole different story!
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@hells bells, not sure as we didn't venture out. I say snacks, but was quite happy with moules and a pot of cassoulet and the obligatory bottle of red (champagne was available but thought better of it). i was very surprised at the place given it was just £50 and most of all it felt very 'safe' unlike some of the other cheaper end hotels we've stayed in, that's a whole different story!
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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@p20pjd, moules and cassoulet and a bottle of red would probably be just fine.
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