Unbelievable Ibis Styles Quimper: Your Dream French Getaway Awaits!
Unbelievable Ibis Styles Quimper: My French Dream… Almost! (A Review, With a Side of Rambling)
Okay, so, let’s be real. The dream of a French getaway? Pre-pandemic, post-pandemic, anytime, that's a tantalizing prospect. And the Ibis Styles Quimper? Well, their tagline, "Your Dream French Getaway Awaits!", is… ambitious. Let's just say my dream needed a few tweaks after staying there. But hey, that's what makes a good story, right?
First things first, let's get the vital stuff out of the way. Accessibility: They say they're accessible, and they have facilities for disabled guests. I saw an elevator, which is a HUGE plus, and the common areas seemed pretty easy to navigate. But honestly, without a more in-depth check on specific room layouts, wheelchair access, and the like, I can't give it a definitive thumbs up. Accessibility is important, and I'd recommend contacting the hotel directly to confirm it meets your individual needs.
Cleanliness and Safety? They tried. The Anti-viral cleaning products and professional-grade sanitizing services were probably in effect, but honestly, in this post-pandemic world, I'm always a little sus. They boasted about Daily disinfection in common areas, rooms sanitized between stays, and room sanitization opt-out available, which is reassuring. They had Hand sanitizer everywhere, which is never a bad thing. I appreciated the Cashless payment service, too; less fiddling around with Euros! They have a First aid kit also; which you obviously hope you won't need.
Speaking of needing things… Internet. My lifeblood. The good news? Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Praise the tech gods! Internet access [LAN] was also available, if you are old school. Wi-Fi in public areas was a given, and generally worked (sometimes a little slow in the lobby). No major complaints on that front. Thank heavens.
Rooms? Now, this is where things get real. They had the basics: Air conditioning (essential!), Blackout curtains (thank you, sleep gods!), and a desk to (attempt to) work from. Free bottled water was a nice touch. The bed? Extra long bed, thank goodness! More comfy than I expected. They had In-room safe box and bathroom phone – not sure why one would need that, but there it was! Satellite/cable channels, coffee/tea maker, hair dryer, and slippers… all the standard fare.
But the room? Let's just say it wasn't exactly "dreamy." It felt a little cramped. And the walls? Thin. I can't tell you how much I didn't want to know about my neighbor's phone calls. But the soundproofing really wasn't as effective as they advertised. I have to live with the truth. I'd rate it a solid "adequate".
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking… and The Breakfast Buffet! This is where the Ibis Styles Quimper gets interesting. They had a Restaurant, coffee/tea in restaurant, a bar, a snack bar, and a poolside bar. 24-hour Room service, which is always a winner. But the real star? The breakfast. I love a good breakfast buffet. And this one? Okay, it wasn't the kind of breakfast that makes you weep with joy, but it had all the essentials: Breakfast [buffet], Asian breakfast and Western breakfast, with a good amount of variety. They had a Coffee shop. Breakfast service was swift, the coffee/tea in restaurant was plentiful… and the desserts in restaurant were the highlight, which is what made it a good start to the day. There are restaurants with A la carte in restaurant, Alternative meal arrangement, International cuisine in restaurant, Salad in restaurant, Soup in restaurant, and Vegetarian restaurant, which is good for anyone with dietary restrictions. The Breakfast takeaway service was a great bonus for those in a hurry.
Things to Do, Ways to Relax… Right. So, this is where I hit a snag. Online, they hype the Fitness center, Gym/fitness, Pool with view, Swimming pool [outdoor], Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Massage, Body scrub, Body wrap, and a Foot bath. Okay, let's be clear: the "Pool with view" was, from what I could gather, just the pool. The "spa" and fitness center were… well, let's say "basic." And “pool with view” might have been a slight exaggeration. This definitely wasn't a luxury spa resort. I'm not sure I'd trust the massage offering. I mean, I'm sure it was fine, but this is no destination spa. And honestly, after a long day of exploring Quimper, all I really wanted was to collapse in my room. So, this area was a bit of a letdown, the real magic is exploring the town.
Services and Conveniences… They had most of the things you'd expect. Daily housekeeping, concierge, a convenience store, laundry service, luggage storage, and facilities for disabled guests, which is wonderful. Cash withdrawal, dry cleaning, and invoice provided are all helpful. Car park [free of charge/on-site] is always very welcome. Elevator (again, very important!), a gift/souvenir shop. They also had a Doorman, which is a nice touch of old-world class. Babysitting service available, and a Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal. They also offered Taxi service, and a car power charging station.
Getting around. Quimper itself is very walkable, but they offered Airport transfer, Bicycle parking, Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Taxi service, and Valet parking.
For the Kids, For Couples… Now, onto the quirks! Family/child friendly is definitely a tick. The location is good for exploring with kids. There were couple's room options as well.
Let me talk about the staff. They were, honestly, lovely. Always a smile, super helpful with directions (my French is… well, let's just say I pointed a lot). The Staff trained in safety protocol definitely made me feel more at ease. The Front desk [24-hour] was a lifesaver at times.
My Quimper Anecdote: Okay, I gotta share this. One day, I got utterly lost wandering around the old town. Seriously, streets like spaghetti. I was hangry and completely disoriented. Finally, I stumbled back to the hotel, defeated. The receptionist, bless her heart, saw my sad face and immediately whipped out a map, drew a (perfectly accurate) route back to the train station (it was raining, of course!), and pointed me toward a fantastic crêperie. THAT is service. That is what makes a hotel into a place that actually adds value to your experience.
The Verdict?
The Ibis Styles Quimper is a solid, reliable choice in a fantastic location. It's not a luxury experience, but it's comfortable, clean, and the staff are truly lovely. It might not be the perfect dream French getaway, but with the right expectations, it's a great base for exploring this charming corner of Brittany.
Here's My Unbelievable Offer (and why YOU should book!)
Tired of generic travel experiences? Craving a taste of authentic France?
Book your stay at the Ibis Styles Quimper now, and get…
- A guaranteed room with decent Wi-Fi (essential for planning your adventures and sharing those Instagram-worthy photos!).
- Free breakfast with the essential pastries and coffee, to fuel your Breton explorations.
- Friendly staff to help you navigate the charming town of Quimper.
- Convenient location to explore the historic center of Quimper. Stroll the cobblestone streets, visit the cathedral, and immerse yourself in the Breton culture.
- Exclusive offer: Book directly through [hotel booking link here] and receive a complimentary bottle of local cider on arrival!.
Why you should book NOW:
- Prime Location: Explore the heart of Brittany!
- The Staff: Warm and welcoming.
- Clean and Comfortable: Offers peace of mind!
- Perfect base for exploring Quimper.
Don't just dream of a French getaway. Make it a reality. Book your stay at the Ibis Styles Quimper today! Just manage your expectations, and you're golden. Bon voyage!
Echarm Hotel (Shuangliu Airport): Your Luxury Airport Oasis Awaits!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's travel itinerary. This is my potential doom, er, I mean, adventure, in Quimper. Staying at the Ibis Styles, because, let's be honest, I like being slightly budget-conscious while still occasionally pretending I have taste.
Day 1: Arrival, Confusion, and Crêpes (Oh, the Crêpes)
10:00 AM: Arrive at Quimper-Bretagne Airport. Theoretically, I should be chipper, ready to embrace the Breton breeze and charming cobblestone streets. Reality? I'm probably rummaging in my backpack for my phone charger, muttering something about airplane food and the existential dread of having to navigate a French taxi. Ugh, jet lag.
11:00 AM: Check into Ibis Styles. Okay, the lobby is kinda cute. Those quirky little Breton-themed paintings? Not bad. Hopefully, the room isn't a shoebox. Crossing fingers (and toes, just in case). Moment of truth…
11:30 AM: Whew. Room is… functional. Clean. Has a window with a view that seems less like a parking lot and more like, well, the promise of a French town. I'll take it. Time to unpack, which basically means throwing everything onto the bed and hoping for the best. I'll deal with the organization later. The "later" is usually "never," you understand.
1:00 PM: Lunch! Must. Find. Crêperie. Armed with a hastily downloaded map and a vague memory of something called "La Crêperie de la Place," I boldly venture forth. I might get lost immediately. I absolutely will get lost immediately.
1:30 PM: Okay, this is officially a disaster. I think I've walked the entire circumference of a block. Turns out "Place" is like… a whole area, not a single address. I'm sweating, cranky, and starting to question my life choices.
2:00 PM: FOUND IT! La Crêperie de la Place. Thank the heavens! The aroma hits me like a warm hug. Okay, I was lost for 30 minutes, but now I can eat some food, and the memories will soon fade.
- The Crêpe Debacle: Okay, the crêpe: perfection. Literally. I had the classic: butter, sugar, lemon. Simple, yet divine. I would eat this every day. I almost did. Almost. Because then I made the absolute mistake of trying a savory one. I was too ambitious and had a "complete," which I thought included everything. Egg, ham, and cheese. It looked so simple, so delicious! But the egg, you see, was more like some kind of yolk-infused glue. It was a texture thing. I tried I really did, but I couldn't finish it. Crêpes are a very serious business, you see.
3:30 PM: A stroll along the Odet River. Try not to get run over by a local on a tiny scooter. Very scenic, very "I'm-in-France," very… relaxing. The kind of relaxing that makes you contemplate napping anywhere. The sun is hitting the water just right—perfection.
5:00 PM: Attempt to find the Quimper Cathedral. I'm sure it's amazing. I'm hoping it doesn't involve too much uphill walking. My legs are still protesting the eggs from the terrible crêpe. Should I get another crêpe just to prove I can handle it?
6:00 PM: Cathedral (hopefully!). Maybe light a candle. Or, at least take a picture. The cathedral is stunning. I'm not even a religious person, and I'm impressed. The stained glass is insane. I feel a sudden urge to speak in hushed tones and pretend I know something about architecture. I am a tourist.
7:30 PM: Dinner at… somewhere. Probably something that looks appetizing, which, after my earlier crêpe adventure, might not be the best strategy. I'll just ask the hotel staff for a recommendation. Wish me luck.
9:00 PM: Sleep. Jet lag wins again.
Day 2: Porcelain, Panic, and Persisting with Crêpes
9:00 AM: Breakfast at the Ibis Styles. Probably a croissant. Probably multiple croissants. I'm on vacation, and carbs don't count. Right? (Don't answer that.)
10:00 AM: Visit the Faïencerie de Quimper (porcelain factory). Everyone says it's a must-do. I'm picturing delicate teacups and impossibly intricate designs. I'll probably knock something over and break it. I am, after all, the clumsy tourist.
11:00 AM: Actually survived the porcelain factory. Surprised myself. The designs are beautiful. Now I'm tempted to buy something, but I’m also terrified of packing it home. Decisions, decisions…
12:00 PM: Lunch. Of course. Crêpe time again? Yeah, so, I think I'm addicted. I found a crêperie, La Bigoudène. And I get another classic crêpe and now I'm ready to love again.
- The Bigoudène Experience: Yes, I know I didn't learn my lesson yesterday. But La Bigoudène had several savory options, and by God, I tried one. I went (against my better judgment) for the one with the sausage and onion. Again, it looked innocuous. And again, the egg component almost murdered me. But I finished the sausage! This is progress.
1:30 PM: This is where things went pear-shaped. I attempt a walk in the Jardin de la Retraite, a lovely park. Get lost, again. Start panicking I'll break my phone again. I'm starting to think I have a problem.
3:00 PM: Back to the hotel. Needed to regroup, take a nap (see: jet lag), and maybe change my perspective on the entire day. I think I'll have a coffee. Or another crêpe?
4:00 PM: Finally, I decide to take a walk and attempt some shopping. Maybe some local crafts, maybe a fancy hat. Who am I kidding? I'll just end up buying more food.
7:00 PM: Dinner somewhere more reliable. Maybe a steak frites situation. Something that won't involve questionable egg products. I need familiar comfort food.
9:00 PM: Netflix and attempt to sleep. Hoping for a less disastrous day tomorrow. Day 3: Departure and Reflection (and a final crêpe, naturally)
9:00 AM: One last croissant. Must. Soak. Up. All. The. Butter.
10:00 AM: One last stroll along the river. Maybe I'll actually enjoy it this time. Without getting lost. Or running into anything. I feel like I’ve earned a moment of quiet reflection.
11:00 AM: The airport. My plane leaves this afternoon. My luggage, hopefully, doesn't get lost.
12:00 AM: One more crêpe? Of course. And I'm going back the classic: butter, sugar, and lemon. I deserve it. Crêpe is the only thing that holds this whole trip together.
1:00 PM: Time to leave. It wasn’t perfect. (Far from it.) But I’ll remember the crêpes in Quimper, and the adventure. And maybe, just maybe, I'll come back someday and try the sausage crêpe again. Wish me luck.
2:00 PM: On the plane. Tired. But now you are on your way home.
Unbelievable Ibis Styles Quimper: Your Dream French Getaway (Maybe? Let's See...)
Okay, so, Ibis Styles Quimper... Is it *really* as dreamy as the website makes it sound?
What are the rooms *actually* like? Because you know those photos...
Breakfast! The most important meal of the day. Is the breakfast at Ibis Styles Quimper worth it?
What's the vibe like at the hotel? Is it family-friendly, romantic, or what?
How's the location? Is it easy to get around?
Parking? Because nobody wants to deal with parking nightmares on vacation.
Any major complaints or things I should know BEFORE I book?
The most important question! Would you go back?
