Your stay — Le Bel Abri
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The Property — Le Bel Abri
Le Bel Abri is a functional, no-frills three-star hotel on a main road about a 15-minute walk from Annecy’s old town. The lobby is small and clean, with laminate floors and a reception desk that doubles as a souvenir shelf — efficient rather than charming. It suits budget-conscious travellers who plan to spend most of their time out exploring, not lounging in the room. The USP is a modest free parking area, a rarity in central Annecy, and a straightforward breakfast buffet that gets the day started without fuss.
Chronicles of Annecy
Annecy grew around a 12th-century castle built by the counts of Geneva, then became a key centre for the Catholic Counter-Reformation in the 16th century under St Francis de Sales. The old town’s canals, fed by the Thiou river, earned it the nickname ‘Venice of the Alps’, but its architecture is distinctly Savoyard: pastel facades, arcaded streets and red-tiled roofs. The city was annexed by France in 1860 after a plebiscite, and today it’s a hub for outdoor sports, from lake swimming to paragliding off the surrounding mountains. Its contemporary identity balances a well-preserved medieval core with a lively lakefront promenade, markets and a growing food scene centred on local cheeses and charcuterie.
Best Time to Visit
Full Annecy guide →Best months
June and September: long daylight hours, good for hiking and lake activities, and school holidays haven’t yet peaked, so crowds are moderate.
Peak / festival surge
July and August: school holidays fill the lakeside and old town; hotel prices can double. The Fête du Lac (first Saturday of August) draws huge crowds with its fireworks show, making accommodation scarce and expensive.
Budget shoulder season
May and September: milder weather (15–22°C), thinner crowds, and hotel rates drop 20–30% from August. October also works, though lake swimming ends.
Weather & packing
Annecy’s lake creates localised showers that can arrive suddenly even in summer, clearing just as fast. Pack a lightweight waterproof jacket and sandals that dry quickly — you’ll use both in the same afternoon.
Live City Briefing — Annecy
- Annecy’s new electric bus line (Ligne 5) started in March 2025, linking the train station with the old town every 10 minutes until 11pm — helpful for avoiding parking fees.
- The Vieille Ville pedestrian zone has been expanded east to Rue Royale, meaning more closed-off streets for cars; cyclists and walkers have priority from 10am to 8pm daily.
- Lake access at Plage d’Albigny is undergoing a renovation until July 2026, so the main swimming spot is temporarily shifted to Plage des Marquisats — check signage before heading out.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Le Bel Abri, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the ground floor (floor 1) for easier access and wider doors, but be aware that there is no wheelchair-accessible shower.
Rooms to avoid
Floors above the ground floor (2-4) may be noisier due to the hotel's location on Avenue de Chavoires, a relatively busy street. The lift serves all floors, but you may hear some noise from the lift machinery or other guests.
Best views
Unfortunately, there is no information on specific views from the rooms, but if you request a room on the side of the hotel facing away from Avenue de Chavoires, you may have a quieter and potentially more peaceful view.
Quietest floors
Floor 1 is the quietest floor, being the ground floor with a step-free entry and a ramp.
🔊 Noise notes
Avenue de Chavoires is a busy street with traffic and pedestrian activity, which may generate noise in rooms on floors 2-4. The closest public car park, Parking Chavoires, is also nearby, which may contribute to some noise.
Insider tips
If you're driving, be aware that on-site parking is not available, but the closest public car park is just 100m away, and the nearest public EV charger is a 5-minute walk away. When checking in, be prepared to log in to the free Wi-Fi using your room number and surname, and note that there is no time limit on the internet connection.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Le Bel Abri
Free Wi-Fi for all guests; speed around 30 Mbps down/10 Mbps up. Login via room number and surname; no time limit.
One lift serves all 4 floors. No stairs-only sections.
Complimentary digital access to Le Monde and Le Dauphiné via QR code in lobby. No printed papers.
Check-in from 15:00 to 22:00 (weekdays) and from 14:00 to 22:00 (weekends). Early bag-drop from 10:00 free. Late check-out until 12:00 is €20; after 12:00 subject to half-night rate if available.
Free storage at reception during your stay; no charge on check-in/out days. No luggage room after 22:00.
Step-free entry with a ramp at main door. Lift to all floors. No adapted bathrooms or grab rails in standard rooms. Two ground-floor rooms with wider doors for limited mobility; no wheelchair-accessible shower.
No on-site parking. Closest public car park is Parking Chavoires (100 m away, €12 per night, 24h). No EV charging on-site; nearest public charger is at Parking de la Gare (5 min walk, €0.25/kWh).
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: €1.65 per person per night (mandatory, payable at check-in; children under 18 exempt)
Deposit & card hold: First night charged as deposit at booking. A €50 pre-authorisation on a credit card is taken at check-in for incidentals, released on departure.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Église Sainte-Bernadette (1.6 km · ~20 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Parc du Colovry — 1.0 km · ~13 min walk
Aire de jeux du Clos du Buisson — 1.7 km · ~22 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
BNP Paribas — 1.3 km · ~17 min walk
Pharmacie Charre — 1.3 km · ~16 min walk
Annecy — 3.1 km · ~38 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Euro, EUR
Use ATMs in the city centre for the best rates; avoid exchange bureaux at Annecy train station or Geneva airport, which charge poor rates and high fees.
Visa and Mastercard are accepted almost everywhere, including supermarkets, cafés, and small shops; contactless is standard; American Express is less common.
Tipping is not obligatory — service is included. Leave a euro or two for good service in restaurants, round up taxi fares, and tip hotel porters €1–2 per bag.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A small espresso or filter coffee at a simple café costs about €1.30–1.80.
A bakery sandwich or slice of quiche with a drink from a boulangerie will cost around €7–9.
A main course at a modest neighbourhood pizzeria or crêperie runs about €12–15.
Look for weekday lunch trucks at the Marché de la Vieille Ville on Tuesday and Sunday mornings; also try the stalls selling socca and savoury crêpes by the lake.
Super U, Carrefour Market, and Lidl are the main budget chains in the area.
The Rue Sommeiller and pedestrianised Rue Carnot have affordable chain stores like Kiabi, C&A, and occasionally a street market selling casual clothes on Saturdays.
The cheapest way around Annecy is walking or renting a bike; for buses, a single ticket is €1.50, and a day pass is €4. From Geneva airport, take the FlixBus direct to Annecy (about €10–15 one way).
Buy food from the old town market (Tuesday and Sunday mornings) for cheap picnic supplies; tap water is free in restaurants; get the Annecy City Card for discounted entry to museums and attractions if visiting more than three.
Good to know — Annecy
Type C/E · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ €0.87 · EUR
Where to Eat
Book a table →💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Annecy, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Le Bel Abri
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · BNP Paribas — 1.3 km · ~17 min walk — pharmacy · Pharmacie Charre — 1.3 km · ~16 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Find train tickets →Annecy Station (Gare) → Le Bel Abri (stop: Bonlieu)
💡 Line 1 runs along the main boulevard. Buy a single ticket at the station tabac or use the Sibra app. The Bonlieu stop is 100m from the hotel. Avoid rush hour for a seat—gets packed with commuters.
Geneva Airport Bus Station → Annecy Bus Station
💡 Cheapest door-to-airport option. Buy tickets online; the bus stops at the airport's bus station (follow signs from arrivals). From Annecy bus station, Le Bel Abri is a 10-minute walk or short taxi ride.
Geneva Cornavin Station → Annecy Station
💡 Take a free shuttle bus from Geneva Airport to Geneva Cornavin (15 mins). The train is scenic along the lake. From Annecy station, Le Bel Abri is a 5-minute walk straight down Rue de la Paix.
Geneva Airport (GVA) → Le Bel Abri, Annecy
💡 Book a fixed-rate taxi in advance (try Taxi Annecy or BlaBlaCar's new transfer service) to avoid surge pricing. Drivers will drop you at the door—Le Bel Abri is on Rue de la Paix, easy to find.
About Annecy
Wikipedia ↗
Annecy (US: AN-ə-SEE, ahn-SEE; French: [an(ə)si] ) is the prefecture and largest city of the Haute-Savoie department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of Southeastern France. It lies on the northern tip of Lake Annecy, 35 kilometres (22 mi) south of Geneva, Switzerland. Nicknamed the "Pearl of th...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Le Bel Abri?
Request a room on the ground floor (floor 1) for easier access and wider doors, but be aware that there is no wheelchair-accessible shower.
Which rooms should I avoid at Le Bel Abri?
Floors above the ground floor (2-4) may be noisier due to the hotel's location on Avenue de Chavoires, a relatively busy street. The lift serves all floors, but you may hear some noise from the lift machinery or other guests.
Is Le Bel Abri noisy?
Avenue de Chavoires is a busy street with traffic and pedestrian activity, which may generate noise in rooms on floors 2-4. The closest public car park, Parking Chavoires, is also nearby, which may contribute to some noise.
Which rooms have the best views at Le Bel Abri?
Unfortunately, there is no information on specific views from the rooms, but if you request a room on the side of the hotel facing away from Avenue de Chavoires, you may have a quieter and potentially more peaceful view.
What are insider tips for staying at Le Bel Abri?
If you're driving, be aware that on-site parking is not available, but the closest public car park is just 100m away, and the nearest public EV charger is a 5-minute walk away. When checking in, be prepared to log in to the free Wi-Fi using your room number and surname, and note that there is no time limit on the internet connection.
What time is check-in at Le Bel Abri?
Check-in at Le Bel Abri is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Le Bel Abri have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi for all guests; speed around 30 Mbps down/10 Mbps up. Login via room number and surname; no time limit.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Le Bel Abri?
€1.65 per person per night (mandatory, payable at check-in; children under 18 exempt)
Where can I eat cheaply near Le Bel Abri?
A bakery sandwich or slice of quiche with a drink from a boulangerie will cost around €7–9.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Le Bel Abri?
The cheapest way around Annecy is walking or renting a bike; for buses, a single ticket is €1.50, and a day pass is €4. From Geneva airport, take the FlixBus direct to Annecy (about €10–15 one way).
When is the best time to visit Annecy?
June and September: long daylight hours, good for hiking and lake activities, and school holidays haven’t yet peaked, so crowds are moderate.
Top Attractions in Annecy
💡 Bring a blanket and buy local cheese and bread from the market to eat here; it's free and the sunset view is unmatched.
💡 Go on free Sunday if you're there; otherwise skip the regular fee and just view the free lobby exhibits. The gift shop has quirky animated posters.
💡 Cross at golden hour for the best light over the lake; the view from the middle towards the mountains is the money shot.
💡 Go early morning before 9am to see the canals without crowds; the weekly market on Tuesday and Friday mornings is worth a detour.
💡 Try the municipal beach at Plage d'Albigny: it's free, has lifeguards in summer, and shallow entry for kids. Arrive before 10am on hot days.