Van der Valk Hotel Le Catalogne

We spent a week at this hotel. Overall, the stay was pleasant, with several very appreciable points. -The positive points: the staff is pleasant, smiling, and welcoming, the bedding is comfortable, and we appreciated the number of lounge chairs available around the pool. The exterior areas are very nicely decorated and the private parking is a real plus. The presence of an outdoor table with a minibar is also very practical. Regarding dining, the breakfast is good and offers classic choices, even if we find the price quite high compared to the services offered. We also tested the lunch meals, which are decent and practical when one wishes to have lunch on-site. -On the other hand, a few points disappointed us for a hotel advertised as 4 stars. There is no bottle of water provided upon arrival nor an accessible fountain: you have to go buy one at the bar, provided there is someone to serve you. This could easily be improved. Soundproofing is also a point to be reviewed. While there is certainly a question of respect for other guests, you can easily hear noises from neighboring rooms and the hallways. Furthermore, at certain times, especially when many guests are taking their showers at the same time, hot water seems to be lacking, which is quite problematic in an establishment of this category. In the end, we had a decent week and appreciated several aspects of the hotel, notably the staff, the exterior areas, the pool, and the bedding. However, for us, the establishment corresponds more to a 3-star than a 4-star, considering certain services and amenities.

We loved this hotel and the staff were fabulous. Our room was lovely, comfortable and had everything we could need including robes and slippers. The gardens and pool area were absolutely beautiful and the little bar just perfect. Breakfast was great too with a wide range of food available. Of course the French pastries- croissant, pain au chocolat and brioche were to die for. We didn’t have a car but found the public transport to be cheap and efficient. I highly recommend this hotel.

We had a very enjoyable stay and would happily return. The hotel is clean, well maintained and offers excellent value for money. Our family room was spacious, with a separate bunk room for the children, which worked brilliantly and gave everyone a little more space. The complimentary bottled water in the fridge was a welcome touch, and the room had everything we needed for a comfortable stay. The pool area was a highlight. It’s a good size, well looked after and surrounded by a terrace where you can relax with a drink or enjoy a meal overlooking the water. The food served around the pool was good, with the Caesar salad being a particular standout, and the cocktails (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic) were excellent. Breakfast offered a reasonable selection and was perfectly adequate, with the usual continental options you’d expect in France. The only real disappointment was the seating. Indoor tables were very limited, meaning we had to sit outside. Not normally an issue, but unfortunately the shaded terrace was effectively unusable due to a swarm of wasps, leaving the only option as the unshaded seating in temperatures already well into the mid-20s. It didn’t spoil our stay, but it’s something the hotel could perhaps look at managing. Whilst it doesn’t try to be a five-star luxury hotel, it delivers exactly what it promises and does so very well. For the price, we felt it represented excellent value and we’d happily stay here again. Pros * Spacious family room with a separate bunk room for the children. * Good-sized swimming pool. * Lovely terrace overlooking the pool for drinks and meals. * Good poolside food. * Excellent cocktails (alcoholic and non-alcoholic). * Clean throughout. * Effective air conditioning. * Complimentary bottled water in the room fridge. * Excellent value for money. Cons * No in-room safe. * Limited indoor seating at breakfast. * Shaded breakfast terrace affected by a swarm of wasps. Overall: 8/10