Coming down to breakfast on our last stay, we absently sat down at a table which wasn’t set out for breakfast. Anywhere else we would have been politely asked to move. We had left our bags and gone straight to the buffet. On turning round we saw that the Receptionist, who was also looking after drinks for breakfast, was quietly and discreetly moving our place settings to the table we had settled on without thinking. It was a very nice gesture for which we were grateful. Of course we apologized but we weren’t made to feel the least bit awkward. On the contrary...

Le Grand Pavois is an excellent hotel. Comfortable and friendly. That makes such a difference.

We stayed two nights on our way through the region with our two kids, ages 4 years and 14 months. A nice enough 3 star hotel. Clean, modern and decent sized room with a typical breakfast. There is a bar in the lobby and they were accommodating, throughout the stay in heating up the baby's bottle. Everything was generally fine until checkout time. At checkout, in addition to the charge for the child bed for our older son I noticed another charge for an extra child. I was surprised, as the baby has his own small travel bed. I asked the clerk about the charge.

While there may have been a very good reason for the extra charge of 58 euros, which I would have paid, I never got to find out why. Upon finishing my question, the manager came bolting out from behind a partition in jeans and a t-shirt and started yelling at me, attacking me for not booking a larger room and a whole bunch of other things completely unrelated to the issue (I should mention that I speak fluent French, so it wasn't about the language). I was completely shocked. As the receptionist slinked away and stared at the ground, I tried to explain that I simply wanted to understand the charge. I was again yelled at. We were never informed at check-in that we should take another type of room nor of any hotel policy in this regard. We travel extensively with the children and have never encountered this before.

As I walked away from the reception to take care of my children, the manager continued to yell at my wife. Trying to close the issue, I came back to pay and stated that it was not the charge that was an issue, but the fact that what had been a pleasant enough stay had turned into a nightmare customer service experience. The manager told me "it's my house and I will behave as I please." At that moment, I paid the extra 58 euros and left.

Again, I should stress, my problem is not with the charge or a hotel policy if there was one. It is about the shocking way in which we were verbally attacked and abused by the manager of the hotel. I will never be back and would hope that this review prevents others from choosing the hotel.

This was the first hotel we stayed at during our recent two week trip to France and it was absolutely great. The photos do not do it justice and we felt it was much better than the three stars it has been awarded. Although it is not much to look at from the front, and indeed the entrance hallway is a little underwhelming, the rooms are spacious, the beds comfortable and we had a huge room with a large bathroom with a wide louvre door and separate toilet. Fabulous expensive toiletries in the bathroom too, which was a nice touch. Having walked around the town, we felt this was the best hotel in Fecamp and we were glad we stayed here. Parking is around 11 Euros but we were lucky to find parking for free right outside, so look there first. Only grumble is that we didn't have a harbour view room which would have made it perfect - and there was no shower curtain / door, so it got a little wet on the floor.

Still though, we would thoroughly recommend this gem of a hotel - it's right in the middle of town so great for exploring. A must see is the Palais Benedictine, which is 5 minutes' walk from the hotel and a fascinating place, without a doubt one of the highlights of our entire stay in France.

If you’re travelling along the Normandy coast, the Grand Pavois hotel at Fécamp is the perfect stopping place. It has wonderful views over the marina with its neat rows of small boats, and at night, its twinkling lights. And best of all, it is a “Silent Hotel”. We’ve stayed there a few times during the last couple of years and have found it quiet and comfortable.

The fact that it doesn’t have a restaurant means that you can go out to try any of the numerous cafés, brasseries and restaurants next door along the quayside. With an emphasis on wonderful fresh fish, there’s somewhere to suit all appetites and budgets.

Before you go out, or when you come back, you can relax in the bar with one of the Grand Pavois cocktails. We once had a Kir Royal where the barman chilled the glasses and dipped the rim very lightly in sugar. Magnifique! In the morning you can have a really good buffet breakfast in the same space, which overlooks the marina.

The staff are all very welcoming, helpful and professional so that it’s a pleasure to go back.