We did it our way as we marched into the Tourist Office on the Place MacAuliffe after ruefully entering the parking area by way of the handicap parking space next to the Office. Craning our necks to see if anyone was prowling about we sneaked inside the Office and inquired on accommodations. Our receptionist presented us with a copy of the page in the local tourist Hotel Book and we were off to the Hotel du Sud only 50 meters down Rue du Marche. We pranced into the lobby-bar and inquired about a room in our broken German and French. Madam seemed to understand and wrote a number on a pad (54 Euros with breakfast). We accepted and offered to leave deposit or we think we did, but they required only our name and date of arrival. Unusual and heartening, we thought.
On Saturday a prim elderly receptionist and barmaid lead us behind the bar and up narrow dark twisting stairs, for a turn and a half then right and we were in a bare gloomy hallway. I was beginning to have second thoughts even though I had viewed a room the day before. Stepping inside the bright spacious room I remembered why I had liked Hotel du Sud. Immediately I fell in love with the real double bed with the snazzy patchwork quilt and plump pillows embroidered with "Sud" in pale blue thread. Sheets were silky, crisp and gleaming white. Away to the amber wall a tall lace curtained window spilled light on rustic table and chairs.
I grasped the handle to the bath and was in fairly land. I called it my Cinderella Bath.
Inside the tiny gleaming room were the state of the art sink with bulbous side lights and an oval shaped shower detailed with snowflakes. Dark woodwork trimmed all the snowy tile and lace curtains hung from the small swinging window. Back in the bedroom a TV hung from a corner and a multi-level cabinet hugged the wall next to the entrance. We felt comfortable and warm.
For breakfast Hotel du Sud served all the staples fresh and hot. Crisp rolls, butter, jam, coffee, tea, juice, and an occasional pastry made it to the table in the down stairs sitting room behind the bar.
We were sorry the Hotel did have a Restaurant as we the liked the homey feel of the lobby-bar and the patrons who dropped in for a drink. However the Rue du Marche offered many choices within a few steps.
Rustic charm oozes from this 3 generation family Copine-Picard business, especially on fall weekends when they host herds of game hunters who troll the hills of the nearby forest and return to consume masses of bratwurst and potatoes washed down with golden beer. We basked in all the camaraderie as the hunters brought along their entire families and ate banquet style amid the tall tales.
Outside was a car park, playground, and barbecue.
All credit cards accepted. Website www.hotel-du-sud.be