I have just returned from a 3 night stay over the August Bank Holiday. There are still lots of roadworks and alternations taking place which we will be great when finished. As we stayed over the weekend it was quiet but started up on the Monday as we left.

The twin room was not a bad size, the bed and pillows were ok and the shower was excellent.

No tea making facilties here so took our own kettle for a 'cup of tea'
The breakfast was a good selection including juice, tea, coffee, pancakes, yoghurts,fruit, crossiants, cake, cereals, bread, cheese and ham. The area at night is very quiet and we only found 4 restaurants of which 2 we ate in being 'The Islander' and the Chinese' The hotel does have a restaurant but we decided to eat out. The hotel is Ok for a short stay as the nightlife is nil, unless you visit Lille.

Went to the christmas markets in Lille, Bruges and Ypres and stayed here for 3 nights with a tour operator. Typical Ibis nothing grand but the rooms were very clean and the breakfast had everything that you could require including ham, cheese and yogurts and you could squeeze your own orange juice. The croissants were always fresh. The service in the evening at the bar was very slow so if you want to eat out or have a drink try one of the many places around to do just that. Tourcoing we found was a fun place on sunday 17th December the town had bought in a massive mound of snow for the kids to play on with slopes for tobogganing. There were real camels which gave rides to the kids, toy soldiers marched around the town and a mad man on stilts pretending to be an old aeroplane gave us plenty to laugh at. The finale was a procession in to the square in front of the church, angels on horseback carrying the star of bethlehem and a re-enactment of joseph and mary with the shepherds and 3 wise men with real sheep, camels, horses and donkeys. Why can't we celebrate christmas in such a way instead of just spending loads of money! A trip to Ypres that evening, a stunning town with a xmas market and to stay until 8pm to watch the moving last post ceremony at the Menin gate was the crowning glory. We went to Lille, Bruges and Ypres and every one had a market with fun and laughter on the streets and no rowdy drunks, what a change from England.