What's so special about this place?

If you're looking for a reasonably priced hotel with a bit of character in Montpellier, you can't do much better than this charming little sixteenth-century house. Spread across two houses, all the rooms are individually furnished and decorated. Ours was small but perfectly formed; it overlooked the gardens and was very Laura Ashley - lots of stripy blue-and-white wallpaper and a flowery bedspread.

Anything else?

The best thing about the hotel was eating breakfast on the pretty terrace which overlooks the gardens and St Peter's cathedral. We tucked into freshly baked pain au chocolat and croissants, fresh orange juice and coffee in the morning sunshine.

So is it in a good location?

Situated down a quiet lane in a semi-pedestrianised district in the old town, it's the perfect base to explore the city's sights.

What's Montpellier like?

A charming city worthy of a weekend break. Lose yourself in the old town's maze of lanes crammed with beautiful interior-design shops and smart boutiques. Enjoy a bit of people watching at one of the buzzing cafes surrounding the Place de la Comedie with its nineteenth-century opera house, and stuff yourself silly with goat's cheese salad, foie gras and entrecôte steak in one of numerous restaurants for less than £15 a head.

Any tips?

Bring some earplugs if you want a lie-in on Sunday morning, or request a room at the front of the hotel. Our room was opposite the cathedral, whose bells rang interminably.

What's the damage?

A small room overlooking the garden will set you back around £50 a night. Larger rooms and suites are available. Breakfast is £6 per person.

· Hotel Le Guilhem, 18 rue Jean-Jacques Rousseau, 34000 Montpellier. 00 33 04 67 52 90 90) email: hotel-le-guilhem@mnet.fr.