Set on the boulevard Maréchal Foch, the Hotel d’Anjou is a perfect base from which to explore the city of Angers. Each of the 53 rooms has individual style with historical furniture, not that far from the original design of 1865. The furniture may be antique, or it may be simply neo-antique, but that doesn’t really matter. It’s all very charming, bon chic bon genre without even so much as a nod to Paris. Subsequent changes have seen the introduction of delightful art deco features that perfectly compliment the other-worldliness of the hotel.
From the outside, Hotel D’anjou doesn’t look much, but the interior is tastefully opulent and plush, and with delightful idiosyncrasies like the suntrap terrace and the elegant stained glass that backs the reception desk. Yet the hotel isn’t opulent or plush other than in an agreeably understated way; it is all very acceptable and agreeable.
The integral restaurant – la Salamandre – renowned for its soft ambience and quality service – magnificent ceiling, by the way – is a place full of history that has had the privilege of serving the French Fauvist painter Raoul Dufy, Ray Ventura the French jazz bandleader who played a significant role in popularising jazz in France in the 1930s, and Maurice Chevalier, the French actor, cabaret singer and entertainer.
In the evening (and on Sundays when La Salamandre is closed), a simple bistrot takes over, offering a limited, but adequate menu served in the room that in the morning is host to an ample and generous breakfast service.
This is no pretentious hotel with aspirations of grandeur; it is an exquisite, tasteful home-from-home couched in the zeitgeist of a bygone era; warm and comforting, but will all mod cons. Perfect…and very relaxing in spite of being just minutes from the city centre.
Tell me more about Hotel d’Anjou
Hotel d’Anjou, 1 boulevard du Maréchal Foch, 49100 Angers. Tel: 02 41 211 211; info@hoteldanjou.fr;
53 rooms including 25 twin rooms, all soundproof and air-conditioned, equipped with a shower room or bathroom, television, Canal+, cable, direct phone line, free WiFi, hairdryer, welcome basket, luggage rack, safety deposit box, underground parking 5 minutes’ walk away…
Because of yield management, it’s difficult to get a take on the room tariffs for Hotel D’anjou, which vary almost by the hour. But it does mean that you’ll get the very best rate at the time of booking, and it’s worth trying to negotiate a little.
Angers restaurant tip:Restaurant Favre d’Anne,
