What People are saying
Very poor experience
Karin Mon 10/06/2017 15:23I made a reservation at this hotel directly over the phone. When I arrived, there was a sign in reception saying to go to another inconvenient hotel to pick up my key. When I did, I was directed to an Annex to the main hotel. At no time was this mentioned during our phone call. The rate I paid for this reservation was over $150 and for this I got a very small room and minuscule bathroom, no air conditioning or wi-fi even though this was advertised in their website, a broken flushing mechanism on the toilet, holes in the wallpaper, a curtain that didn't cover the window and was hanging down on one side, a total of one electrical outlet in the two rooms, and a bedside lamp that didn't work. Breakfast was 17 Euros if you wanted it. Avoid this place.
Bad staff and management
ash47bon 05/06/2017 21:09We booked this hotel at least six months ahead of time. The check in was a total disaster. We arrived at the hotel there was a signe saying to go to a different hotel for check in. Once there we were sent to an annex of the hotel which was at a different place, with no way to tell which building the annex was in. No signers or markings. We had to go all the way back and have one of the staff to show us where our room was and she was not very happy about it. The room was like a dungeon and no internet. Over all it was a very bad experience. Other than wasting about two frustrating hours getting our room taken care of, our visit ti Mont St. Michel was great.
Most frustrating hotel experience!
Brie Hon 02/06/2017 23:02Ok so admittedly I didn't research this hotel/destination as well as I usually do. Basically Mont Saint-Michel looked amazing and I jumped at the opportunity to stay on the island. It was the priciest hotel night of our trip even though it was a Monday and the room was the least nice looking.
First of all, I knew there was a free shuttle although for some reason I assumed that if you are staying on the island you could drive right there. This is not the case. You must take the shuttle and there is paid parking nearby. Then the realization hit that we had to leave at 4am to catch a flight in Paris that afternoon. Then when we got off the shuttle there was a sign about certain times that the tide prevents access to the island. Oh crap.
We went straight to the tourist office to find out if we can get off the island when we needed to. They were really helpful and told us that the tides would be fine and that we could book a shuttle to come get us at whatever time we needed. They gave us a phone number to call, however, when we finally got to our room later we couldn't figure out how to dial out and there were no instructions. So we headed back and the tourism office kindly booked the shuttle for us.
Anyway, now for the really fun part - getting to our hotel room.
We lugged our suitcases onto the shuttle and up the tourist-filled cobblestone road to Le Mouton Blanc, where were were greeted by a sign and a staff member who informed us we had to get our key from the Terrasse Pouland, back down the street. Ok, well that would have been good to know ahead of time. So I left my husband with our suitcases and walked back down and found the Terrasse Poulard (if you are ever looking for this, it's around a corner in a sort of alleyway).
I check in and they hand me a key for room 307. I try to ask if I'm able to check out at 4am but I was so frustrated I couldn't communicate in my broken but usually passable French and the front desk staff only speak a little English and don't understand. I just shrug and hope for the best. AT NO POINT, do they tell me where my room is.
I walk back up to Le Mouton Blanc where the staff person we had talked to had disappeared so we head up the stairs lugging our bags (me 4.5 months pregnant). We get up a couple flights only to realize that these rooms are only in the 100s. Ugh!!! We go back down, wander around, find some more rooms but still no 300s. I see the staff member again and ask her were 307 is. I understand from her French that it's up the street, up stairs to the left, and the door is on the left. Ok ...
My husband and I go up and see a couple sets of stairs. I head up the first one to scope it our while he waits with our bags. There are doors and more alleys with doors. But no signage. I turn around frustrated and tell my husband I can't handle this anymore. I wait with our bags while he goes back to Le Mouton Blanc where he talks to the staff member again.
He comes back and says its the first door on the left, which is totally unsigned and has zero indication that it's a hotel. How can they expect you to just open an unmarked door? You could have been walking into someone's home for all you knew! Anyway finally we arrive and we carry our bags up a set of stairs to our room. The hallway is cemetery adjacent and the window provides a view of it and you can see the abbey looming above.
Our room faced the other direction so we had a window overlooking the water (and a seagull next across the street). We kept it shut when we left and at night to prevent birds from flying in. The wallpaper had a large stain that we optimistically told ourselves was champagne. The room was old and decor leaved something to be desired but they seemed clean at least (although other reviews say otherwise). It did however smell faintly of cigarette smoke which I am not a fan of. Wifi did not work in our room, but you could access it by standing outside the actual Le Mouton Blanc building.
The front desk was not open when we checked out in the wee hours of the morning. I just left the key on the door knob and hoped for the best. I figured there was nothing worth stealing in the room, if a potential thief was actually even able to find it!
It was cool to stay on the island and we walked around a lot and made it to the abbey in time before closing. I wouldn't recommend this hotel to anyone unless you are desperate to stay on the island. If you do, pack light, ask a lot of questions about where exactly your room is (get them to draw on a map), and be prepared for the less than ideal accommodations.
Better than expected. Glad I read reviews before going.
M Fon 10/05/2017 18:14Our room had a double bed and two twins. The bathroom was recently renovated and was nice and clean. The room was right above the sign along the Rue Grande. After reading all the negative reviews, we expected much worse so were happy with the room. Yes, the wallpaper needs some repairing but it definitely has a lot of old world charm. Reading reviews definitely helped us be better prepared for our stay.
Some tips: carry a bag with only essentials because there are narrow stairs to climb which makes towing baggage difficult. Check in at the La Mere Poulard because there is nobody at the reception area of the hotel. Also, wear earplugs because the Mont gets noisy in the early morning.
It's old - what do you expect?
oldpruneon 02/05/2017 23:25Yes, we experienced the same - check in was bit a problem. Yes, we had to back track to check in with other hotel clerk who weren't really friendly. Yes, the room is small, very simple like monk lived there. We stayed in a room for 4, narrow loft built over with 2 singles, ours were 2 singles put together. small desk and some chairs. Bathroom was small but had tub/shower and toilet/sink. They supplied shampoo, conditioner, soap and plastic cups. No tea/coffee, hot water heater. Room had TV - but did not watch.
Folks, we came here to stay 1 night on island to see high/low tide. This is old old hotel - the windows seems to be original. I thought the price was much more reasonable since there is very few hotels on island.
I really don't understand the other people's complains.... the customer service in France anywhere is terrible, especially if you are Americans - that is nothing new.
Don't let it bother you - We had a fantastic experience here and I would do it again!