Grand Hotel de l'Europe

On the way back from Spain, we needed a room for the night for a family of four: two kids and two adults. We got a nice old-fashioned room on the front side. It was big enough: with the three beds, there was even some space left. The room looked nice and was clean. The bathroom was old-fashioned too, almost retro, it was big enough and also clean. At least this was not a standard room as in most chain hotels. If you like that, well, then the place is a good choice. At night we heard some noise from the front side, cars parking, people talking and in the morning, quite early, we heard a garbage truck. We also had dinner in the restaurant there. The staff was not really fast, but the quality was good for such a hotel restaurant. We enjoyed the view from our table before it went dark. The breakfast was really good with a lot of fresh fruit, yogurt, croissants. Not sure if it was worth the € 10, but that s a choice. Overall a nice place to stay if you do not want the regular chain hotel.

We had lunch at the Grand Hotel de l'Europe after a morning of wandering around Saint-Flour. We were not all that impressed with town, but we loved our lunch. We had the menu du jour which was two courses for 12 euros. Husband started with a quinoa salad which was shaped into a mound and surrounded by alternating avocado slices and artichoke leaves. It was lovely and tasty. I had the pumpkin soup which was served with a shot glass of croutons and another of creme fraiche. I find it amusing that the French have been caught up in the pumpkin and Halloween craze. It was delicious soup. We both had the boudin main dish - we each got half a white and half a black sausage, and had a health serving of mashed potatoes. We orderred a demi pichet of red wine and were brought a half bottle which was delicious. It was a hearty, delicious and reasonably priced meal. Most of the other patrons were single older men, some of who seemed to know each other. There was a single business traveler who pulled out his laptop, and a group of French tourists who came in halfway through our meal. We were the only Americans around for miles most likely. The service was friendly and prompt and the views across the countryside from the dining room were beautiful.

It is sad when it is so obvious that they are to tired and to cheap to care.. Please.. . clean (even the thick layers of dust in the lobby..)...put out new and more food (so you dont have to chop in minimal pices or let guests break "crust" on the morning cereals...read the booking (so that guests who booked for 4 for a certain price dont have to pay more when they are 4 instead of 3...)..etc...