Hotel Meurice

The Meurice's stately interiors make a change from the soulless chain properties lining Calais' northern coastal strip. Evoking an era gone by, layouts are fit for former resident, General Charles de Gaulle, with Belle Epoque chairs, gilded antiques, and damask wallpapers wrapping sweeping staircases (although there's an elevator). Guests tend to enjoy the feel of stepping back in time, and the walls and hallways sporting bric-a-brac make for fun browsing. Though there's no restaurant, and the bar's wines are limited, lounge space is extensive. The lobby has old-fashioned seating areas; the bar offers widespread maroons and tufted leather seating for a Gentleman's Club vibe; and the conservatory breakfast room is light and airy. Garden tables and chairs make for pleasant summer breakfasts, where views of climbing ivy are peaceful. Most guests are couples on their way to or from ports, though families and groups of friends can also be found here. 

Travelers stop in Calais for the "Channel Tunnel", a small stretch of sea linking France to the U.K. Entry points are nearby, with 15-minute drives for both ferries and Calais Eurotunnel. As to immediate surroundings, guests are central, and the hotel occupies most of the quiet street on which it sits. The main Place d'Armes is a five-minute walk, and cafes and restaurants here are plentiful. Richelieu Park's greenery is opposite, and a supermarket is a five-minute walk away. Calais Lighthouse and Marina Bassin du Paradis are 10 minutes on foot, and it's two minutes farther for Calais-Ville train station. The sandy Plage de Calais is a 27-minute walk, or quicker drive. Lille Airport is 80 minutes by car.

Traditionally styled rooms are less extravagant than downstairs areas, but pastel- or jewel-toned palettes, boudoir outfitting, and feminine wallpaper and/or linens are charming. Entry-level Classic Rooms are a compact 183 square feet (17 square meters), featuring comfy beds, desks, artwork, satellite flat-screen TV, and kettles for tea- and coffee-making, plus trouser presses. No fridges, air-conditioning, or safes are provided, and note, reception doesn't store valuables. Superior and Deluxe categories are larger, and the latter have extensive living areas, and jetted tubs and/or fireplaces in some add an upmarket feel. Some bathrooms have lovely marble, while others have older-looking drab tile. Unfortunately, some past guests have reported unpleasant odors here. They have either showers or shower/tub combos, all with wall-dispensed soaps, towels, and hairdryers. Uninspiring parking lot views or nicer garden vistas are available, but they don't correlate with room category. Rooms can be fitted with cribs. 

Location and decorative flair are primary features here, although the hotel still has some extras. At a fee, the breakfast buffet offers scrambled eggs, bacon, and sausages, plus a good continental spread. Considering the price, cheaper "express" options are popular. The conservatory-style breakfast room has white and brown wicker seating that are refreshingly contemporary, and large windows overlook the garden. The bar's deep sofas, maroon walls and carpeting, and hotel-themed artwork say "timeless elegance", as do its whiskeys, Bordeaux, and Bourgogne wines, although white varieties aren't on offer. The hotel serves no meals or snacks aside from breakfast, but nearby restaurants and brasseries are abundant. The garden offers a sequestered outdoor spot, and the opposite park is well-placed. Free parking outside the hotel is plentiful, but advance reservations are advised for the garage's 10 spaces (which are at a fee). The large function room is generally unused, but available for hire. Wi-Fi is free throughout.