Location, location, location...I like Citadines chain , they are just a notch above no-frill aparthotels but they win in terms of their locations ( in Paris, London...). Strasbourg is no exception. You can find hotels that will be 200-300 feet closer to center but they will be facing a tramway line.
Citadines Kleber is in a reasonably quiet side street . It makes all the difference in terms of sound and light pollution. I prefer to see a coffee-and- croissant place from my windows rather than a giant transit center.
Anyways, the walk to the very center and cathedral is very short and pleasant.5 minutes stroll through either the most picturesque side streets or big main shopping street - your choice.
Another very strong point - having a kitchen...and Citadines has a good semblance of a real working kitchen. I am always dismayed by hotels advertising "kitchenettes' and providing a microwave and a fridge. Citadines has a real cooktop, oven , dishwasher ( oh, you bet you will need one to clean up after foie gras feast ) and yes, microwave and fridge . All the necessary utensils are there. My advice for a perfect day out :
have coffee and croissants ,
do a shopping trip to Supermarche Auchan ( if you have a rented car, god for you - Citadines has ample underground parking , it is well worth it ). Buy following:
a loaf of local bread (made with potato flour)
a bottle of Sauterne ( it is half price compared to any place else )
fresh foie gras - as cheap or as expensive as you fancy ( they have short shelf live clearance 50% off all the time - you must cook it the same or very next day )
fresh local produce to your liking
a dessert - perhaps a Fouchon cake in frozen foods section , really !
Bring the goodies home.
Do sightseeing , cathedral is at its best starting at around 3pm when sun hits the windows.
Go to museums, or Parc de Orangerie ( particularly if you have kids - the wildlife and zoo is amazing ).
Come back and have a feast :) Foie gras takes shorter time to cook than to order it in a restaurant. And the price will be 1/10th of restaurant bill.
Use dishwasher to clean up. Rest.
By the way , even a Murphy bed in a smallest studio is very comfortable and easier to open and close than I would ever think.Bathroom is good and adequate quality - nothing designer or fancy. Everything is working as it is supposed to - and clean.
- Citadines Hotel Strasbourg
