Citadel Hotel

Is it great? No. But that price can’t be beat. For what you pay, it is very sufficient for a (short) night. The receptionist was very friendly, even when we arrived at midnight. The room was visually clean. The bed was hard, but that is better than too soft. There is a small desk and a tv and more than enough electricity outlets. The tiny bathroom has everything you need, even though it’s so tiny. On the top level of the building it takes awhile for the shower to get hot, but it did get very hot after a few minutes. The description says it’s 400 meters from the Eurotunnel terminal? Let’s make that about 7km. But the 15 minute drive saved us a lot of energy in the early morning! Parking on the street is free in the evening and there were enough spaces available. The receptionist was very understanding when we didn’t have cash for the tourist taxes that had to be paid separately and didn’t make us look for an ATM in the middle of the night, fortunately.

There is a LOT of noise. A LOT. Outside: pubs, garbage trucks. Inside: thin walls and talking guests in rooms and hallways. If you want to sleep, BRING EARPLUGS. Someone had smoked in our room or was smoking next door. We also smelled smoke in the reception area. Both our allergies kicked in as soon as we entered. Keep your clean clothes in plastic or something, just in case. The lights in the room were VERY bright. The main ceiling light was blinding and switched on even when you selected other light switches. The bathroom is like a tiny plastic cubicle. There is not enough room to undress inside when the shower is on, you will get wet. Our flusher was broken (the “button” was a hole in the wall), but it could be used by sticking your hand in said wall to press on something on the inside to make it flush. Upon leaving we saw that there was a little stick in the bathroom, which would have probably saved us some hurt fingers. Please note that you need to pay 80 cents per person per night in tourist taxes, that it not included in the amount we paid through the website. Paying by card was not accepted. All that said: you get what you pay for. If I cpuld get a guaranteed non-smoking room, I would stay there again.