The Hotel des Arts offers excellent value for money in a very affordable, no-frills package. The hotel is in a rather beautiful old building in the heart of Montpellier, close to the station, the Comedie area and dozens of narrow streets containing many bars, shops, restaurants and cafes.
The youthful staff are friendly, helpful to a fault, knowledgeable and speak excellent English.
Our room was clean, though small and basic, with no tea and coffee making facilities.. However, when we asked the receptionist, she went out back and found us a kettle and a couple of cups. What a lifesaver!
The basic continental breakfast (€10.50 extra) was good and tasty, with plenty of fresh fruit and hot coffee.
The only things we didn’t like were the bed, which was so hard as to be rather uncomfortable, and the lift, which is tiny and extremely claustrophobic.
Overall, though, for the money, l would recommend the Hotel des Arts to any traveller on a budget, especially if arriving by rail, since it is an easy 5-6 minute walk from Montpellier St Roch station.