The Hôtel d’Angleterre stands at 29 Boulevard Raspail, on the ring road that follows the ramparts, and a walk of about fourteen minutes brings you to the Palais des Papes. It is a three-star hotel with a relaxed, slightly old-fashioned personality, and its public rooms are the best part of the story: a library for reading, a small arcade and game room that children enjoy and a sunny terrace for breakfast or a drink in the evening. The rooms are air conditioned, which matters in the heat of an Avignon summer, and there is a lift, a 24-hour front desk and luggage storage, all of which make arrivals and departures easy if your train times are awkward. Breakfast is available as a buffet for an extra charge, and there is limited self-parking at a nightly fee. The hotel does not have a pool or its own restaurant, so it works best as a comfortable base from which you walk into the old town for dinner. It is not a luxury hotel and does not pretend to be, which is exactly why it appeals to travellers who like a friendly address with a little character and a sensible price.
Location and getting around
Boulevard Raspail is on the southern side of the old town, in a part of the city that is quieter than the area around the palace but still very close to the action. The walk into the centre is easy and flat, passing through the gates and along lanes toward the Place de l'Horloge.
The railway station is within easy reach, so the hotel suits visitors using trains for day trips to Arles, Nîmes or Orange. Restaurants and bars are around you, and the covered market of Les Halles is not far away, which is handy for picnic supplies and breakfast pastries.
Rooms and facilities
The hotel lists six room types, so ask for the one that suits your party when you book, and mention if you want a quieter room away from the boulevard. The terrace, library and game room are shared spaces that give the property a homely character, and the lift is a relief if you are carrying luggage.
Parking is limited, so reserve a space if you are driving and ask about the practical details of access. The premises are smoke-free. As with any older hotel, rooms can differ in size and decor, so set your expectations for comfort and character rather than modern minimalism.
Who it suits
Couples and small families who want a central base without the price of a palace-side hotel will like it, and so will travellers who enjoy a book and a quiet corner at the end of the day. Light sleepers should request an inner room. If you want a pool, choose the Grand Hotel or the Cloître Saint Louis.
If you want the luxury of the palace quarter, look at La Mirande. For a friendly, characterful stay at a fair price within walking distance of every major sight, the Hôtel d’Angleterre is a dependable choice, particularly outside July when rates are calmer.
Why stay here
- ✓Air-conditioned rooms
- ✓Sunny terrace
- ✓Library
- ✓Game room
- ✓Lift
- ✓24-hour front desk
- ✓Luggage storage
- ✓Buffet breakfast
Good questions
How far is the Hôtel d’Angleterre from the Palais des Papes?+
About a fourteen-minute walk through the old town gates.
Does the hotel have air conditioning and parking?+
Rooms are air conditioned. There is limited self-parking for a nightly fee, so reserve a space if you are driving.
Is breakfast included?+
A buffet breakfast is available at an extra charge, and the terrace is a pleasant place to eat it.
