Hotels abound in Vichy, a bustling and famous spa town where one can still drink from the source, and not one, but many a source, and all the waters have different healing powers.

The Hotel Modern is just 3 minutes from the Halls, in the centre of town, in a quite side-road. The rooms are all en-suite and pleasant. The guests are mostly regulars doing their yearly 18 day cure.

We chose this hotel for its superb location and for the friendliness of the staff. It's a family run hotel and has a homey feeling. Price is also good. The owners are not fluent in English but we managed well. As always, we asked to see a number of rooms and found the one best suited to our needs. Since then we have been back and will again.

There is only one thing which we were not enthusiastic about: the food. We had breakfast and lunch, once, and that was it. Not worth a repeat. However, with so many restaurants just minutes away there is no lack of alternative menus. We were not aware that there was internet connection in the rooms but we were too busy and it was refreshing not to log on, for a change.

Vichy caters well for its guests and there is always much on, open air concerts, amazing fire-works and a choice of workshops and lectures. Daily programmes at the Halls and the Tourist Office, also just minutes from the Hotel Modern.