I spent one night in a double for single use at the Angelina Hotel. Very well located for visiting Rennes (roughly at the center of a walkable triangle formed by the old town, museums, and Parc Thabor), the Angelina is a quirky place. After being buzzed into a dark and rather uninviting lobby, one can take a tiny elevator (no complaints – it held me and my suitcase!) to the hotel, where a cordial greeting awaits. I was a bit surprised to be asked if I wanted to pay even before being given a chance to see my room, but when I said I would prefer to see the room first, I encountered no objections.

My room held the double bed I expected to see and (to my surprise) another smaller bed and a love seat that could convert to a mattress for 2 more people. Add in a desk and chair, and the otherwise large room did not feel spacious. On the other hand, I didn’t feel cramped - there was more than enough room for me. The décor struck me as an odd mix of outdated country and college dorm styles with a few more recent updates, but it was clean and had some welcoming touches, like an electric kettle with supplies for making tea or coffee. The beds were dressed with bolsters; regular pillows were in a closet. The bath/shower area was tiny and had very little counter space, but the towels were good-sized. The shower provided nicely hot water at a pressure that was satisfactory, if just barely.

The room also had a pleasant, if tiny (step out only), balcony overlooking an interesting central avenue. It was surprisingly quiet, although it did let in some sound. i woke up several times during the night, but was always able to get right back to sleep.

Breakfast was served in a bright, simply, pleasantly decorated room. The buffet selection wasn’t extensive, but it included a satisfying and tasty array of options.

If you drive to Rennes, be forewarned that the parking lot just outside the hotel was quite expensive. And note that many of the streets near the hotel are one-way only or are reserved for busses, taxis, and emergency vehicles.