We stayed here for 2 nights from Friday 14 May 2010 in order to meet a student at the UTBM university. We had previously stayed at the Novotel (which is on the north side of the old town) but they wanted twice the price this time of the Grand du Tonneau. This is located on the south side of the old town and therefore much closer to the shopping area and a shorter walk to the station (about 10 minutes).
The building has a grand opening hall and staircase upto the first floor. At the entrance level is Reception and a PC with free internet access. Off a side corridor is the breakfast rooms. The hotel's main restaurant is closed and notices said that part of the business is for sale.
Our room on the second floor was 237. It was one of two specially designed rooms for handicapped guests. We did not request this and dont know why we got it. It had specially adapted door openings, toilet, wide spaces, and walk in shower. Its two beds were comfortable. It had however a rather austere feel to it. Room numbering on the floor was odd with ours being out of sequence with others - almost as if added as an afterthought.
During our stay a group of cyclists were staying and they had a breakfast room allocated to them. Our breakfast room was smaller. There was a modest selection of cold dishes as a buffet. It cost €12.00 which was a lot compared with better breakfasts elsewhere but the staff were friendly.
A local artist was using the hotel to display a selection of his drawings and we bought one. There were some lovely stainless statues adorning the staircase and hall.
We paid €64.00 per night, pre-paid plus breakfast.
Most other guests seemed to be from the adjoining German speaking area of Switzerland. Their common language with hotel staff appeared to be English.
We would stay again.
