Séjours & Affaires Grenoble Marie Curie

The Séjours & Affaires is a very good option for longer stays in the (4 or more days) in the new business parks on the Northern corner of Grenoble (such as Europole or the Presqu'ile area). It's not luxurious, and is also used by students, but the bed was comfortable enough and there were 2 chairs, with a desk/work area for one person. This lacked adequate lighting, so if I wanted to read I had to sit on the bed, but there were plenty of power sockets to plug a laptop into - unfortunately mine wouldn't connect to their wifi, but my mobile phone did so successfully. There's plenty of wardrobe space and drawers. as well as a small kitchenette, with a slightly random collection of equipment (and no coffee machine or drip filter). The two ring electric hob worked OK once I figured out how to switch it on - you have to leave your finger on the button for about 5 seconds - it's a safety measure, but not explained! There's a standard sized fridge with small freezer compartment - it's not too noisy, and also a microwave and electric kettle. Breakfast is available (apparently only 5 days a week at the time of year I was there) but I elected not to pay extra for it. I had no problems with nose from any neighbours, but the corridors often had strong cooking smells. The TV only offered basic French language channels. The shower/toilet was effective, but I found there was a danger that I could easily knock the temperature control while standing in the shower, suddenly getting scalding (or cold) water. The hot water tank is above the WC, and I managed to bang my head on it once! It's close to a Tram stop (Cite Internationale on line B) and less than 10 minutes walk from the main railway station, but everyone uses the M Velo+ cycles for preference - there are many cycle racks for them nearby, so no need to try and get into the underground car park.

The Séjours & Affaires is an excellent choice for longer stays in the (at least 4 days) in the Grenoble area, for example of you are working in one of the businesses based in Europole or the Presqu'ile area. It's not luxurious, as it is also used by students, and I only spoke to the reception for the first time on my final day. The bed was comfortable enough and there were 2 chairs (not always the case in budget hotels' double rooms), with a desk/work area for one person. This lacked adequate lighting, so if I wanted to read I had to sit on the bed. There's masses of wardrobe space and drawers too. There's also a kitchenette, with a slightly random collection of equipment and no coffee filter. A two ring electric hob worked fine once I worked out how to switch it on - you have to leave your finger on the button for about 5 seconds - it's a safety measure, but not explained! There's a standard sized fridge with very small freezer compartment - it's not too noisy, and also a microwave and electric kettle. Neighbours were quiet, but often had strong cooking smells (lamb?) The TV only offers basic French language channels. The shower/toilet was effective, but I found there was a risk of knocking the temperature control while standing in the shower, and suddenly getting scalding (or cold) water. The hot water tank is above the WC, and I managed to bang my head on it once! It's close to a Tram stop (Cite Internationale towards Oxford on line B).

I booked for 2 people and they seemed surprised. They only provided one key which made all the planning extremely inconvenient as I had to attend a conference while my girlfriend was sightseeing. Very disappointed that they didn' have a second key.