Citotel du Midi

i only stayed at this hotel because i was stuck in narbonne because my coach was over an hour and a half late so i missed my connecting train. i had to call my mum to book this for me whilst i worked out how to get into narbonne centre so i was unaware that the check in time was until eight pm, *********** tells you to enter your check in time (i told my mum i would be arriving between nine and ten since it was already eight and i didnt know yet where i was going), the booking confirmation email was received at 1959 local time. so if check in is up to eight pm then they should not allow you to make a reservation. i arrived just at 2100 and the pin code for the door didn't work and i waved at the person at the reception who proceeded to lecture me repeatedly that i should have arrived in time. i apologised and understand that it was an inconvenience for them but i didn't even have a chance to explain because i was just lectured repeatedly on how i needed to be there on time. i found it extremely patronising and rude and i didn't appreciate it after my extremely stressful day of travelling. i was then told to pay the tax which i was happy to do (however i have since looked at the booking email and seen that the tax was included in the price on ***********). it was only one euro but i had no cash on me because i forgot to get some out when i arrived at the train station. the person at reception wouldn't let me pay by card and didn't bother telling me where the closest cash machine was, they just told me to go next door to a shop to buy something and get some money back. when i went to the shop they said no card, so i had to look up on google where the nearest cash machine was, it was seventeen minutes walk so i ran there and back (i tried to go back to inform them that i might be a while but they had left the desk) and when i returned i was once again lectured on how i need to have money etc. on the booking confirmation it says they accept card, i know one euro is a ridiculous amount for a card transaction but i didn't expect it to be so little. and, again, i had already paid for the tax online on *********** the person at the reception then told me how lucky i was that he was there (which yes i do appreciate that someone was there to let me in after check in time finished but i thanked and apologised but these lectures continued on and on) and that i should leave a good review to which i replied that i would but only because i didn't want to be turfed out on

We arrived just before five o'clock at the hotel without reservation. That was our luck as the reception is only open between 5 and 9 in the afternoon. No receptionist in the morning (there is a person for the breakfast which effectively the receptionist advised us against). And they had a simple room available which had everything including air-conditioning which was nice for the hot summer days. The room had a small bathroom and the decoration in the room and the corridors as presented on the pictures at the TripAdvisor website had since gone. Less colourful, but still affordable. Good enough bed and silent during the night. What else: the drink machine was empty and not working. They have a large garage including a separate one for bicycles. Once available the receptionist is very helpful and can share information about the area. But then, the area itself is not the nicest. But many parts of Narbonne are shabby to say the least. So, we were happy to find this hotel at that price near (300 metres) the city centre with locked way parking possibilities for our bicycles. Especially as we had had enough troubles to get into Narbonne with our bikes.

In spite of being late due to late trains we were welcomed onehour-and a half after closing time. Very nice as we were tired after a long journey

The room was very clean and showed no signs of wear and tear. The room also included an actual air conditioning unit, which seems surprisingly rare for hotels in this price range. Had everything you need from a hotel for short stays. Staff was also helpful and very friendly. Overall, it exceeded my expectations.