Le Vertigo in Dijon offers top-quality service in a designer setting, not to mention a top-quality spa, which is not always easy to find in an old building.

For this stay I had the choice between this Design Hotel and an Aloft, and both were attractive for different reasons. The Vertigo for the design and the Aloft, although much more standardized, because it’s housed in a historic building in the city. The (high) rates offered by both made the difference and I opted for the Vertigo.

At the bottom of the page you’ll find a summary of the articles about this stay in Dijon.

Booking

I booked three weeks before my stay and very few room categories were available. I booked a Merveilleuse (marvelous) room at 220 euros per night, as the second room category, the one below (the Cocoon), was not available. These are very “W”-sounding names, and at rates that have nothing to envy when you consider that we’re talking about an average provincial town outside weekends and vacations…

And even then, this rate was only available on a prepaid basis!

Location

The hotel is located on the edge of the historic center and about ten minutes’ walk from the train station, making it a very good location.

Arrival at the hotel and check-in

I walk from the station to the hotel, located in an old building that has been converted into a hotel.

As it wasn’t possible to check in online, I went through reception to complete all the formalities. I came across a totally lethargic agent, fortunately assisted by a trainee who was a little more resourceful.

No mention of the loyalty program or benefits, as if it didn’t exist. He also offers me breakfast for a fee, even though it’s a benefit he should be offering me because of my status.

Knowing that Design Hotels does not apply the guaranteed late check-out, I’m told that “we’ll see what we can do”. I end up fighting hard to get a 2pm checkout the next day, which gives me just enough time to try out the spa.

It’s time to discover my room.

The room

I take the single, very slow elevator to reach to my room.

The corridors make quite a good impression….

And I enter the room. At first glance, an excellent surprise.

Beautifully decorated and larger than the photo on the website. It’s usually the opposite surprise!

Rarely has there been a real desk.A rare feature is that it has a real desk.

On the other hand, the wall opposite the bed looks rather empty.

There’s even some decoration on the ceiling…as long as it’s not a mirror…

The room overlooks a garden where you’ll find the terrace of the bar of the neighboring MGallery.

The bathroom is large for this type of building and equipped with a shower.

The minibar is very well stocked, which is rare these days!

On closer inspection, it became clear that some of the furniture was already well worn.

All in all, a very pleasant surprise, as Design Hotels sometimes disappoints, and hotels in converted old buildings generally do.

The size is good, and an effort has been made to decorate with personality without falling into bad taste. In the end, this helps to soften the price tag.

Bar and restaurant

The hotel does not offer a restaurant as such. There is a breakfast service at the bar and a selection of jarred food.

It does, however, have a very nice bar.

Atmosphere and lighting change according to the time of day.

The cocktails are more than decent and the bartender really friendly.

A smoking room is even available upstairs.

A really pleasant bar that deserves to attract more than just the hotel’s clientele.

Facilities

The hotel has a gym and a spa.

I’ll skip the ridiculously small and virtually useless gym.

The basement spa features a beautiful swimming pool, making it a cosy place to unwind.

A sauna and hammam are also available.

Very pleasant and in perfect, like-new condition.

There are also care treatments, managed by Nuxe, which is a guarantee of quality.

Quality treatments, very pleasant staff and 20% discount for hotel guests.

Staff and service

Staff a little lethargic and not quick at reception, but you can’t blame them for everything. The Design Hotels fit in a little as they like at Marriott and this is a recurring problem, but in the end it’s embodied by the staff.

No mobile check-in or check-out means formalities and queues at reception.

The low recognition of the loyalty program is a hotel decision, not a staff one.

As for the rest, lovely people at the bar and spa.

Check-out

No online check-out, so I had to wait 15 minutes at reception as the receptionist was busy with someone booking by phone (yes, that still exists!).

Once again, she had nothing to do with it, and what’s more she was very friendly, but for the customer it’s 15 minutes lost when he might have a train to catch.

Bottom line

The overall quality of the service is very good, though this is somewhat overshadowed by check-in and check-out (a pity, as these are the first and last contacts with the hotel) and the special status of Design Hotels within the Marriott loyalty program.

The articles about this stay in Dijon

Articles similaires

Review : Boscolo Nice, Autograph Collection La Maison Champs-Élysées, Design Hotel, Paris: Very good experience Hotel Renaissance Paris Hippodrome de Saint-Cloud : Difficult to eat in the middle of nowhere The Westin Paris: Well received this time, but thorough renovation necessary Le Parchamp, a Tribute Portolio Hotel, Boulogne-Billancourt (Paris, France): Fine efforts but a few youthful errors Hôtel de Bourgtheroulde Rouen: a fine experience in a historic building