LM Story this weekend - hotel suggestions?

[MTR]

Hi all,

I'm headed to Le Mans this weekend for the LM Story event, and have a question about hotels. I've been to the regular Le Mans event twice before (camped both times). This time I'd like to stay in a hotel for Friday and Saturday nights. I'm taking the train in, so I'm wondering if I can get by without renting a car. I have no idea what public transport is like for getting to the track. Anyone have any insight into this?

If I do have to rent a car, and suggestions on basic accommodations with wifi?

The event doesn't sound that popular but I've read a lot of good things about it so I'm looking forward to the weekend.

Cheers,
Matt

[IforB]

The concorde is a nice old style hotel, excellent restaurant and huge rooms right in the middle of the old town, so around 5 minutes from the circuit.

Not sure it would be classed as "budget" though and I can't remember if it had WiFi as last time I was there I was more interested in having a shower and sleeping in a comfortable bed after a week in a tent in 35 deg heat!

[MTR]

A quick search looks like it may be full already. But from your message it sounds like if I get a hotel in the old town it will be walking distance to the track? That would negate my need to rent a car which is a plus.

With all the traffic congestion and set areas for camping when I was there last year, I have a very poor visual reference of the track to 'civilization' in the area.

Cheers,
Matt

[IforB]

Sorry it's not really in walking distance. There is a hotel next to the track near the main gates, but I cannot think what it's called for the life of me. However, there is probably very good public transport to the circuit from the centre of town. When the trams are finished the terminal is right next door to the entrance. No idea whe that wil be, though they didn't look a million miles away a few weeks ago.

Edited by IforB on Thursday 5th July 00:31

[wkk]

The track itself is some 4-5 miles out of the town centre. There are plenty of taxis but also plenty of buses (cheaper). For bus schedules go to www.setram.fr - but it's in French language. But any hotel reception should be able to tell you how to get there by bus.
If you just need to commute between Hotel and circuit once a day then a rental car isn't really worth it, even a taxi is probably cheaper

[blondemoment]

Try Here for instant availability. Tick the 'show only available Hotels' box.

HTH!

[fatboy18]

Dose anybody know the name of the Hotel just after the second cichane on the mulsane straight? Saw some brit cars in there over the weekend, I just forgot to go into the hotel and about availability for 2008?

[blondemoment]

It's the Hotel Arbor, but it's almost full

[lowdrag]

Have spent most of the day at the track and spectators were not to be seen anywhere. I reckon that there will be about 8,000 tops on Sunday and less tomorrow so there will be plenty of hotel rooms available. Frankly looking at the list of cars and races it is hardly worth the bother. Tomorrow afternoon there is a big Lotus assembly on the Place des Jacobins in front of the cathedral though.

[MTR]

I decided to just grab a room at the Ibis in the centre of Le Mans which is right near the Lotus gathering. I'll head to the track tomorrow and see how things stack up.

Any good pubs/bars to hit Saturday night?

Cheers,
Matt

[lowdrag]

The irish bar in the town isn't bad, but I'm afraid I'm not much use on that front since with the road works and police blocks I rarely go in nowadays. However, I'll be at the Place des Jacobins tomorrow with the short nose D type which you'll hear before you see it! Should arrive about 2/2.30 I guess since I am at the track in the morning. As a clue to how dead it is, I parked the D in the press park and was asked to move it to the paddock just to give them something to look at!

[MTR]

lowdrag,

Sent you a PM.

[Nick_Chim]

IforB said:

Sorry it's not really in walking distance. There is a hotel next to the track near the main gates, but I cannot think what it's called for the life of me. However, there is probably very good public transport to the circuit from the centre of town. When the trams are finished the terminal is right next door to the entrance. No idea whe that wil be, though they didn't look a million miles away a few weeks ago.

Did look close to, but looks like they will be doing more testing for a while:

http://www.ville-lemans.fr said:

Mise en service le 17 novembre 2007 pour la ligne Antarès-Université ; six mois plus tard pour la branche entre Saint-Martin-de-Pontlieue et l'Espal

Sounds like it'll be ready for next year though!

[Ailsa]

Hi, I am new here and hope that I won't make a prat of myself!
My hubby and I have been to the 24 hour race a couple of times camping, now we are older and more decrepid I'd like to book a hotel for next years 24 hour race, also I want to give it to him as an anniversary surprise. Hence I am doing this - I don't suppose the race dates are out yet are they? I want to ensure that we can book the hotel as soon as they are out and am worried that I might miss out somewhere, what's anyone's best advice? I have googled the nearby hotels already. Also, is it a good idea to book car parking space at the track or is public transport better or is there a hotel right near to the track? Hope someone can help me, I have put our names down on the 1st ticket site alredy. We will be coming from Spain, but I don't suppose that makes any difference to anything. Thanks for your help in advance.

[cooperlola]

Hotels are tough to find near the track as they tend to be booked up by now (even given that you have to speculate about the dates a bit.) I visited some friends yesterday, whose gite is about 35 minutes from the circuit and it is still free. A converted water mill and a lovely romantic spot. Just a thought. If it sounds at all interesting, please pm me. Alternatively, I know a nice b&b where friends of mine stayed last year, but it is a similar distance away.