WHERE TO STAY IN LOURDES:
With 100s of hotels dotting each avenue, finding the perfect sanctuary for your pilgrimage can be overwhelming.
We stayed at the Grand Hotel Moderne and I couldn’t have been happier.
The sophisticated winding banisters lead guests from a dark but elegant dining room to 5 floors of rooms, most of which have walk on balconies. The bathrooms were luxurious and modern with a private room just for the toilet off of the front hallway. Large comfortable beds and great water pressure made our stay very enjoyable.
Many of the hotels offer a special package where breakfast, lunch and dinner are included in the room rate. While under normal circumstances I would never even consider taking advantage of a deal like this (i can get mediocre food catered to American tourists anywhere), Lourdes is seriously lacking in fine dining options and the hotels offer an easy fix for exhausted travelers.
The food at Grand Hotel Moderne was no more than alright. A wonderful breakfast spread with fresh baked croissants, fruit, eggs and ham made the food bearable, but lunch and dinner were a complete disappointment, especially considering how delectable french cuisine can be. Bland soups followed by overcooked beef and potatoes. Desserts ranged from ice cream to flan to tirimasu, all of which were of a poor quality. I will say that the endless flow of local wines was a very nice touch – the sweet white is incredibly refreshing and pairs well with the local cheese and fruits.
The staff was pleasant and spoke fluent English. The room was charming and comfortable and the location unbeatable – we literally were steps from the Grotto! My only complaint (aside from the food) is that the balconies are connected to the rooms next door so you are unable to leave the door open. Also the business center was closed the entire stay and the internet connection for wifi was not reliable.
There were a few other hotels right in the area of Grand Hotel Moderne which seemed equally nice. Other hotels nearby: Hotel Royal, Hotel de Paris, Sainte Rose, and Hotel Rossiey.
The average cost/night for the Grand Hotel Moderne is $170 USD, but that seems on par with the other 4 star hotel rates in the area.
