 Poster: A snowHead
|
Hi,
I have booked two rooms at the Formula 1 in Chambery for next years ski trip. Some friends of ours have now told us that they are not as good as ETAP. They stated most F1's were just stacked portacabins, and you have to share baths and loos with other rooms.
Has anyone stayed in the F1 Chambery North and if so was it okay. We just want somewhere for a nights kip on the friday night, a quick shower on Saturday morning before zooming off to the slopes.
Or would ETAP be better.
Thanks
Tim B
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
|
I think Etap is just like F1 but with a standard Accor group ensuite installation in each room. Double+bunk bed (or might have been 2 singles+bunk?), and pre-packaged breakfast. And same automatic check-in machine at the door (but staffed for an hour daily).
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
|
Etap and Hotel B&B both have en suite, just not quite as cheap as Formule 1. All are clean and basic. B&B had the best breakfast when I was living in France.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
|
Etap is better than F1, better rooms, ensuite, small breakfast room. B&B are a bit better than Etaps, also have some larger family rooms. Premier Classe is OK too, similar to Etap, there are others also. They are all situated out of town on industrial or commercial estates or near motorway junctions. There is often somewhere ok to eat nearby, Buffalo, Grill, Cote a Cote or something similar. OK to get your head down if it's just an overnight when travelling. You can quite often get deals on Ibis if you are certain enough to pay up front, no cancellation.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
|
B&B every time for us! Every one has been really clean, plus free wifi in the reception area. Didn't rate the breakfast though - much prefer to see what else is nearby for something to eat!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I found quite a contrast. The F1 at Dijon was nasty and dirty, while the Ibis was basic but clean and comfortable. Mostly people are using both as overnight stops, and get going early, so don't plan a lie in. If you book early, there is not a great difference in the price of the two brands. i.e. the trip down for me at Easter next year would be 29.70 Euro for F1 and 39 for Ibis and 49 for Etap
Use http://www.accorhotels.com to see their whole brand range.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I found the opposite to ringingmaster, regarding the F1 at Dijon, I thought it was great, it was clean and tidy and I didn't expect anything more for my money. Whereas I had an F1 motel at Dunkerque which was horrible and my bed was damp. So its hit and miss 
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
ringingmaster, Ibis cheaper than an Etap is a good deal (although remember to add on the cost of breakfast buffet). Ibis can be handy if you arrive late and need food, since they (F1,Etap,Ibis) are often by motorway rather than in town. Sometimes I'd rather just grab a pizza and beer from the bar rather than try to find my way around an unfamiliar town trying to find a maccy d's, only to find the german ones shut at 10.30pm. Actually that's the best thing about SatNav - shows you how far the nearest Food and Petrol places are.
NB saying that, my local Ibis+Etap are in town right next to 1 australian and opposite 1 mexican restaurant
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Used Ibis in Grenoble and Calais last January, both were fine. Grenoble one more convenient as it was in the centre on the tramway.
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
We need a "late arrival" room for 4 within 2 hours of Flaine on 22nd January and a couple of times 2-3 hours from Arc1950 on other Friday nights .... mid feb and early april. Any thoughts?
Children out training on Tignes Glacier this week. It really is start of season!
Regards.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
I don't have a problem with F1s for an overnight stop - which generally means arriving after 10pm and leaving early, then stopping about 1.5 hours down the autoroute for breakfast. We don't travel on peak days and never book - I find it inefficient to have to decide in advance when I'm going to want to stop driving (sometimes the answer is that I don't, and just drive through). I find the breakfast buffets at all those budget hotels somewhat dispiriting - prefer the bustle of an autoroute "aire" with 80 - 100 miles under the belt. I've not found I've had to wait around for showers. If you're accustomed to camping or marinas then sharing a usually spider-free shower with others doesn't seem like such a terrible ordeal. 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
Pam w, yes we are used to marina showers ect ect, so all in all as no-one states they are really terrible i will leave our booking as it is with the F1.
All i need is a bed and a shower in the morning.
Does anyone know if there is a Super U or Supermrket near to the F1 at Chambery.
Thanks for all replies so far
Tim B
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
|
A useful thread.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
|
Timbobaggins, where are you headed? If you're heading from Chambery to Albertville, get up there for breakfast - there's a big "centre commerciale" just beside the autoroute as you come into Albertville, with an enormous supermarché and the Casino cafeteria would be a good spot for breakfast. It's no distance from Chambery.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
| pam w wrote: |
| Timbobaggins, where are you headed? If you're heading from Chambery to Albertville, get up there for breakfast - there's a big "centre commerciale" just beside the autoroute as you come into Albertville, with an enormous supermarché and the Casino cafeteria would be a good spot for breakfast. It's no distance from Chambery. |
Pam, off to Val Cenis at end of January, so looking to arrive in Chambery arround 5pm French time as we are on a 0800 Chunnel, hopefully do a shop in Chambery before crashing for the night, then up early and in resort and skiing by 1000 on Saturday. Well that the cunning plan 
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
Timbobaggins, I don't know where the F1 is in Chambery but there are several big supermarkets - you shouldn't have a problem getting the shopping done. However, don't forget you'll lose an hour on the crossing. You'll be doing well to get to Chambery by 6, if the weather is good - a bit later if there is rain (which reduces the speed limit) and could be a lot later if there is snow or fog.
Saturday is certainly a good day to ski - usually nice and quiet.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
|
F1 can be a bit of a shock the first time you stay. Think of what someone might have thought the hotel of the future would be like in the 21st century if you lived in 1959 and you will be able to picture it. For a cheap bed unbeatable unless you want a pee in the night in your room then Premiere Classe tops it for little extra cost.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
|
gravystuffing, we stayed in another chain next to an F1 a while ago, I was pleased we hadn't booked the F1. I am afraid I have never dared to check in and find out, but the thought of shared loos in the middle of the night was enought to put me off.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
| Quote: |
the thought of shared loos in the middle of the night was enought to put me off.
|
I've always managed to get one all to myself.
And unlike in a campsite, you don't get wet en route.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Timbobaggins, I would definately leave it as is. If all you want is somewhere to have a wash and get your head down for the night then the F1's are ideal, I work all over the UK and have stayed in worse places that I've paid a lot more for here! They are basic, but the main thing is they are cheap!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
anotherproblem, I have since heard that there is a vast difference between the F1 Dijon South and F1 Dijon North. Cant remember what one we were in, just that it was grim.
andy, Yes, i just looked again, and there is a 10 Euro off offer.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
ringingmaster, definitely worth saving the tenner to get a proper receptionist and better buffet breakfast, than a machine at the door and a pre-packaged breakfast tray
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| gravystuffing wrote: |
| F1 can be a bit of a shock the first time you stay. Think of what someone might have thought the hotel of the future would be like in the 21st century if you lived in 1959 and you will be able to picture it. For a cheap bed unbeatable unless you want a pee in the night in your room then Premiere Classe tops it for little extra cost. |
"Pee in my room" i would just use the sink 
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
| Quote: |
pre-packaged breakfast tray
|
do some F1s have those? I've not been to that many - maybe 6 or 7, but they all had a breakfast buffet. However my plan is always to get at least an hour away before breakfast. Few of those cheap chains have "proper receptionists" after 10 pm.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
B*gger I thought lots of people were having a wash in the middle of the night!!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ
