I spent 8 nights at the Hotel Central in March 2009. It is everything you want a 2-star hotel to be--clean, simple and comfortable. The hotel is centrally located--surrounded by shops and restaurants, and a 10-minute walk from the train station and Chateau. (Note the Pau train station is below the city. A free Funicular carries passengers up the steep hill--although it doesn't run 24/7. I had a late arrival and took a cab, which cost 7 euros, I think the minimum fare in the city.) It's a good idea to give the hotel an idea of your arrival time, since reception is not 24 hrs. My room was spacious and well-furnished--plenty of space to spread out my gear. My room overlooked a busy street, but 2 sets of windows, one of which was double-paned, kept it extremely quiet and calm. There I would definitely return to the Hotel Central if I'm ever back in Pau. FYI--no hair dryer is provided. No elevator (but I think the most you would have to do is 2 flights of stairs). Free wifi is great-if not 100% reliable.

I am finishing my stay at the Hotel Central and think it's a cute place to hang out for a few days. If you're coming here by train or bus, it's also very close to the station (you basically can walk). The rooms are simple but have a French charm about them most American hotels lack: cute bedspreads, rustic furniture, old-fashioned locking doors. Just make sure you bring a blow dryer if you need one, as the hotel does not provide them. Also, the beds are not the most comfortable but they'll do for a few nights. They also offer a petit dejeuner from 7-10am downstairs, which consists of coffee/tea, juice, yogurt, bread, and what I can only describe as very sweet applesauce. I am not sure if this is included in the nightly rate or not (I think not) because I had the arrangements made for me by someone else whose company picks up the tab.

The staff speaks some English.