Unbelievable Pau Hotel Deal: Ostal Pau Universite, Sure Hotel Collection by Best Western!
Unbelievable Pau Hotel Deal: Ostal Pau Universite - A Brutally Honest Review (and Why You SHOULD Book!)
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I'm about to spill the beans on the Unbelievable Pau Hotel Deal: Ostal Pau Universite, Sure Hotel Collection by Best Western! I'm talking raw, unedited, and hopefully, helpful. This isn’t some generic hotel review – this is like, a deep dive into the vortex of a stay, warts and all. And let's be honest, finding a good hotel in Pau that's genuinely accessible, comfortable and doesn't break the bank is a quest worthy of the Holy Grail. So, did the Ostal Pau Universite deliver? Keep reading…
Location, Location, Location (and Accessibility!)
First things first: Accessibility. It's a HUGE deal, and honestly, a make-or-break factor for many. Ostal Pau Universite gets a solid thumbs up here. I'm talking wheelchair accessible (hallelujah!), elevator, and the all-important facilities for disabled guests. Listen, navigating a city, especially one with hills like Pau, is exhausting enough. Knowing you can easily get into the hotel, around the hotel without a Herculean effort is a massive win. I didn’t need it myself, but seeing the ramps and well-placed elevators just made me feel… relieved? Like, finally, a hotel that cares (or at least, understands the law!). Bonus points for the front desk [24-hour] – because let's be real, jet lag and hotel check-in times are mortal enemies.
Now, the location? It's… decent. It's not smack-dab in the old town, which might be a bummer for some. But, it's close enough to get to the action, and, crucially, the car park [free of charge] is a lifesaver. Parking in a city? It's a blood sport. Saved me a fortune and a mental breakdown. Car park [on-site] offering is another plus – even if it's not free, it's convenient.
But here’s a small imperfection, the exterior corridor. Sometimes I love it, sometimes I hate it, depends on my mood and the weather, I guess.
The Room: Shelter from the Storm (and the Unexpected)
Alright, the room itself. Let's talk about what really matters: Air conditioning (praise be!) and Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! (because, let's be real, we're all addicted). I opted for the non-smoking option, and the non-smoking rooms were exactly that. Thank goodness. My room was, you know, a room. Clean, functional, and actually pretty spacious, which was a pleasant surprise. More storage than I expected, but I still ended up living out of my suitcase like a seasoned traveller.
The bathroom was… you know, a bathroom. Private bathroom. Plenty of hot water (Hot water linen and laundry washing is another win in my book!), decent water pressure (a crucial detail!), and the towels were, well, they were towels. Toiletries were provided, which is always a nice touch when you forget your shampoo. Plus, you have: Alarm clock, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Closet, Coffee/tea maker (essential!), Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Hair dryer, In-room safe box, Ironing facilities, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Umbrella, Wake-up service, Window that opens. Pretty much everything you need for survival.
And let's get real about the internet, internet access – wireless and LAN: Having strong Wi-Fi is my life-blood. The Wi-Fi in my room was, thankfully, reliable. Because work needs doing, emails need sending, and cat videos need watching. The internet access – LAN thing? (which, for the record, is an old-school cable based internet connection) is probably a nice option for some.
Here’s a little detail that made me very happy. Additional toilet. I love it.
Eating, Drinking, and Trying Not to be a Total Glutton
Dining, drinking, and snacking: Okay, the food situation at Ostal Pau Universite is surprisingly decent. The breakfast [buffet] was a solid start to the day. Lots of options. This hotel knows what good food is all about. I filled up on Western breakfast food. Fresh fruit, yogurt, and, you know, enough carbs to fuel a small army. A quick and easy way to start the day. I went back for seconds. Even my third round. Maybe I have a problem. Plus, the Coffee shop and bar were a lifesaver, especially during those late-afternoon energy slumps.
Restaurants: I wasn't blown away by the on-site restaurants, but they were perfectly adequate. The A la carte in restaurant offered options, but I was glad Breakfast service was available.
The Poolside bar and Snack bar were also good for a quick bite.
Alternative meal arrangement is the option if you feel picky. Asian cuisine in restaurant and Asian breakfast choices were also available, if that's your preference, for example.
Desserts in restaurant are important for me.
Relaxation and Recharging (or Trying To)
Alright, the big question: how do you relax at the Ostal Pau Universite? This is where things got a little… mixed.
Swimming pool [outdoor] is a great option.
Fitness center is there, I can't lie, I didn't use it. I’m on holiday for crying out loud. But the Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steam room are something I'd actually consider using next time around.
Cleanliness, Safety, and That Whole Plague Thing
Let's get to the elephant in the room: Cleanliness and safety. They take this seriously, which is a huge relief. Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer, Hygiene certification, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment All the checklists are ticked. The staff seemed genuinely concerned about safety. Seeing the Rooms sanitized between stays and the Professional-grade sanitizing services made me feel more, you know, at ease. You're not going to be in a petri dish. The CCTV in common areas and CCTV outside property were reassuring, or at the very least, I didn't witness any crimes - which is a plus.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things that Matter
The Ostal Pau Universite offers a decent range of Services and conveniences. 24-hour front desk is always a plus. The Concierge was helpful with directions and recommendations. Laundry service is essential for a longer trip. Cash withdrawal is another easy one. They also provide access to a Convenience store. They have a Dry cleaning, Elevator, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Luggage storage, Safety deposit boxes.
I’m also glad they have Ironing service.
For the Kids (and Anyone Who Needs a Break)
If you've got little ones in tow, Ostal Pau Universite appears fairly Family/child friendly. I certainly saw a few families. They have a Babysitting service, Kids facilities, Kids meal.
Getting Around
The Airport transfer is worth looking into, especially if you want to avoid the hassle of taxis. The Car park [free of charge] and Car park [on-site] options are great for those who drive.
Now, the Offer (Because You Need to Book NOW!)
(Drumroll please…)
Okay, so you're still reading? Good. Because here's the deal: if you're looking for a comfortable, accessible, and relatively affordable hotel in Pau, the Unbelievable Pau Hotel Deal: Ostal Pau Universite, Sure Hotel Collection by Best Western! is a serious contender.
Here's what makes it a slam dunk:
- Seriously accessible – a HUGE win if you need it. No struggling!
- Free Parking at no extra charge – saving you time, money, and your sanity.
- Clean, comfortable rooms with all the essentials (AC, Wi-Fi - you know the drill).
- A solid breakfast to fuel your adventures.
- Great location with easy access to everything.
Book NOW because:
- This deal WILL sell out! Get in before the crowds.
Okay, buckle up Buttercup, because this isn't going to be your sanitized, perfectly-formatted travel brochure. This is… me, in Pau, France, wrestling with jet lag, questionable croissants, and the existential dread of being surrounded by mountains. Here's my "itinerary" for the Ostal Pau Universite, Sure Hotel Collection by Best Western Pau, France. (And by "itinerary," I mean a loose collection of things I vaguely intended to do, interspersed with a lot of existential pondering and the search for the perfect pain au chocolat.)
Day 1: Arrival & The Great Croissant Crisis (and a Tiny Hint of "Ooh, Mountains!")
- 14:00 - Officially Arrive at Ostal Pau Universite. Okay, so the "Universite" part conjured images of a bustling, intellectual hub. Nope. More like a slightly faded business hotel, but hey, the lobby smelled clean, and the check-in lady (bless her patience!) seemed genuinely happy to see me, despite my looking like a lost, sleep-deprived sheep.
- 14:30 - The Room. Standard hotel room, but with a balcony! Jackpot! I could practically feel the Pyrenees Mountains breathing down my neck. (Seriously, they were right there.) My immediate reaction: "I need to stand on that balcony and take it all in… after I find my favorite pain au chocolat."
- 15:00 - The Great Croissant Quest. Pau, you see, is famous for… well, it's famous for a lot of things, including the mountains, history, and the birthplace of Henri IV. But my brain was focused on only one, extremely important thing: finding the perfect croissant. The first bakery I stumbled upon. Looked promising. The croissant looked… okay. Tasted… like dry, slightly stale bread. Woe is me. I actually felt a wave of crushing disappointment. It was like the universe was saying, "Welcome to France, sucker. You're going to fail."
- 16:00 - The Mountain View: Sulking in my hotel room, eating the disappointing croissant (I know, I know, blasphemy!), I finally dragged myself out to the balcony. And… whoa. The mountains. They were breathtaking. Seriously. Like, I might have teared up a little. All that croissant-related misery melted away. The sheer scale of it all, the way the light danced on the peaks… It was a proper moment. I felt… better.
- 17:00 - Questionable French TV & Nap Attempt. The TV was all in French, of course. I understood maybe 10% of what was going on. So, I gave up and attempted a nap. Jet lag, my old friend, was not cooperating.
- 19:00 - Dinner at a Random Bistro. Wandered the streets, still slightly dazed from the flight. I stumbled upon a bistro that looked promising, a blur of French chatter and clinking glasses. Ordered something that vaguely resembled "steak frites." It was… adequate. The wine, however, was excellent. The world was starting to look up again.
- 21:00 - Collapse into Bed. Total blackout. Dreams of mountains and perfect croissants? Possibly.
Day 2: Exploring the City (and Still Hunting for the Holy Croissant)
- 08:00 - The Breakfast Buffet. The hotel's offering was… adequate. Not bad, not great. But there were little croissants, which I decided to try. (I'm a glutton for punishment, I guess). They were better than yesterday's disaster, but still not “life-changing.”
- 09:00 - The Chateau de Pau. This, I was told, was the big one. The birthplace of Henri IV! So, I dragged myself to the Chateau and was blown away by the grandeur. Historical stuff. The tapestries. The furniture. I enjoyed that the palace was very well kept.
- 11:00 - The Croissant Crusade, Part 2. I asked the hotel reception for a good bakery recommendation. They gave me a list with an address. The hunt was on! Found the bakery. This was the one! I decided to grab a coffee and enjoy my croissant while watching the world go by. The perfect combination.
- 12:30 - Lunch at a cafe. I had a delicious salad. I also had a glass of wine. I was getting into this French thing!
- 14:00 - Wandering. Exploring the town. Did some shopping. I'm terrible at shopping. I'll probably just buy a mug.
- 15:00 - The View of Pau: I went up the stairs and was astonished by the view! I was also tired, and a little dizzy (I should really take a nap…)
- 19:00 - Finding a local restaurant: The restaurant was packed! But, after an hour, I was finally seated. I had some steak. Again, the steak was alright, but the wine was amazing.
- 21:00: Fell asleep, no dreams.
Day 3: Almost-a-Hike & The Existential Dread of Departure:
- 09:00 - Breakfast. Another breakfast. Same pastries, same slightly disappointed sigh.
- 10:00 - The Pyrenees Adventure Attempt. I planned to hike in the Pyrenees today. I envisioned myself as a rugged explorer. The reality: I got about halfway. Then, I got winded. Also, the path was a bit steep, with a lot of uphill. Eventually, I gave up. Maybe I'm not a hiker? The scenery was incredible, though.
- 13:00 - Recovery Lunch. Found a cafe in a tiny village. Quiche. Wine. Recovery.
- 15:00 - Back to the Hotel Spa. I'm too lazy to continue going outside.
- 17:00 - Preparing to leave. Oh no! I have to go soon.
- 19:00 - Final Dinner. I have to go back to that local restaurant, and get some more wine.
- 21:00 - Goodbyes…. Time to go home. Pau, I will miss you. (And your mountains.)
Quirks and Observations:
- French driving is… an experience.
- The sheer number of dogs in Pau is astonishing. And they're all so well-behaved!
- I’m pretty sure I saw a local give a croissant to a dog. And then the dog ate it!
- Never underestimate the power of a good view to make you feel better about the world.
- I am still searching for the perfect croissant. The quest continues. (I suspect it's a metaphorical journey, really.)
- The people here have been very nice to me.
- Next time, I will learn French.
- I'll probably come back.
Emotional Reactions:
- Exasperation with my own lack of fitness.
- Overwhelmed by the beauty of the mountains.
- Triumphant when I finally took that photo of the sunrise from my hotel balcony.
- A general sense of wonder.
- A slight terror at the thought of going back to normal life.
The End
So, there you have it. A chaotic, imperfect, and ultimately wonderful few days in Pau. My advice? Go. See the mountains. And, please, find a better croissant for me. Seriously, the fate of my trip depends on it.
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