This is a lovely hotel. It is clean, in excellent condition and the staff are very helpful and friendly. But that's about it . The hotel is in an industrial estate. There is no free shuttle from the airport. I sent umpteen emails before our trip, I phoned from the airport before flying and again when we arrived in Beauvais airport but it didn't exist. The cost of a taxi from the airport to the Balladins is 15euros. Contrary to what any website tells you, the hotel is not within 10 or 15 mins walking distance of the city of Beauvais. It took us 45 mins along a busy and, at times, dangerous, dual carriageway during daylight. Buses don't seem to run from or to the area of the Balladins and it's impossible to get a taxi to and from Beauvais, especially in the evening. After going to Paris by train, when we got back to the station in Beavais around 6.30 pm, there were no taxis at the taxi rank, we phoned the number on the sign but nobody answered. So that was another 45 minute walk, not so good if you've been trekking for hours around Paris. You really need to have a car or bike if you use this hotel.

To be fair, the Balladins is advertised as a functional 2 star hotel, and it met that expectation. The hotel was clean. We paid €61 for a triple, which was three small twin beds next to each other. The room was small (don't bring much luggage) and the shower stall was tiny. The room and en suite met our need for an overnight rest, but we wouldn't look forward to staying there again.

Despite being situated on an industrial estate we were really impressed with this hotel. Staff were attentive and polite. Dinner was above average with the waiter's table etiquette without fault. Breakfast was an ample continental buffet affair. Rooms were clean and power shower had a good size cubicle.

The hotel room was small and bathroom smelled. There were no extra pillows. We would find somewhere else to stay in Beauvais.