24 rue des étuves, 34000 Montpellier

Hotel des Etuves

Name: Hotel des Etuves
Address: 24 rue des étuves, Montpellier, 34000, FR
Rating: 3.5

Hotel 1-star in Montpellier

With parking

Presentation

L’Hôtel des Étuves takes its name from its street, a pedestrian lane that runs from Place de la Comédie toward Boulevard du Jeu de Paume. A hundred meters away, café terraces overflow and the tram glides past the Opera House. Here, the pace slows down a notch.

The same family has run the hotel since 1924. Three generations have followed one another behind the door at number 24, and you can feel it in the simple, unpretentious welcome.

When you push open the door, you will find neither a grand lobby nor a front desk. A narrow staircase leads up to the floors, and all you have to do is ring the bell to see one of the owners come downstairs, ready to sell you a tram ticket or point you toward the Fabre Museum. There is no elevator in this old building in the historic center. With a large suitcase, you will need to take the steps one at a time, and the property is not suitable for guests with reduced mobility. For everyone else, it is a good warm-up before exploring the narrow streets of the Écusson district.

From the morning onward, a continental breakfast can be delivered directly to your room for an additional fee. You can enjoy it without having to go back down the stairs, which makes for a different kind of start to the day.

The thirteen rooms focus on the essentials. Each has its own private shower and toilet, a television, and free Wi-Fi. The decor remains understated, without any attempt at showiness, but cleanliness is carefully maintained, and that is the first thing guests mention. Some rooms are more spacious than others, including one with a bathtub and lovely high ceilings.

On the street side, the city does not fall asleep right away. On weekend evenings, you can hear people returning from Place de la Comédie beneath the windows. The courtyard-facing rooms are noticeably quieter; simply request one when booking.

To get around, Saint-Roch train station is just a few minutes away on foot. All tram lines stop at Place de la Comédie, and the Peyrou Promenade is about a ten-minute walk away. If you are arriving by car, the municipal parking garage 200 meters away will do the job (allow €19 for 24 hours). Bicycles and motorcycles have their own spot at the hotel. Pets, however, are not allowed.

The hotel is listed in Le Routard and Le Petit Futé, and its value for money in the heart of the city is a major reason why.

One final tip if you are arriving by high-speed train: make sure you choose Montpellier Saint-Roch and not Sud de France. From Saint-Roch, it is a five-minute walk, and you will have set down your bag before aperitif time.

Summary of a few positive reviews found online

No reception desk on the ground floor; you ring the bell and the owner comes down right away. The couple who run the hotel are very kind and accommodating, always available throughout the stay.
Simple room with minimal decor, but really clean. Comfortable, functional bedding, with everything you need for a few nights.
Pedestrian street just steps from Place de la Comédie. Saint-Roch train station is within walking distance even with a suitcase, with lots of small shops and restaurants nearby.
Breakfast served in the room, convenient in the morning. Coffee was complimentary for my wife, who did not choose the breakfast option.
Room with a window overlooking the inner courtyard, quiet and clean despite the downtown location. Request a room at the back rather than on the street side.