Stays in Mulhouse

Car-loving families have a clear reason to pick the Hotel Bristol: the Cité de l'Automobile, France's National Automobile Museum, is close by in central Mulhouse, as are the pedestrian shopping streets and a tram station. Some spacious rooms have a private spa bath, a treat for parents after a day out. A buffet breakfast is served daily, the restaurant saves a search for dinner, and private parking is available.

Two minutes on foot from Mulhouse station, the Berti Hotel suits families arriving by train who want to drop their bags straight away. Its contemporary design nods to the city's industrial heritage, and air-conditioned family rooms give everyone space. The on-site restaurant saves a search for dinner, private parking helps those who drive, and pets are welcome. The historic centre and the city's museums are easy to reach.

Brit Hotel Mulhouse Centre is 800 metres from the railway station and close to the city centre, a sensible base for families arriving by train to visit Mulhouse's museums. Rooms are air-conditioned with en suite bathrooms and free WiFi, and the daily buffet breakfast lets children choose for themselves. The 24-hour front desk helps with late arrivals, and pets are welcome. There is a bar for parents in the evening. I would treat it as a practical, central stopover.

Within walking distance of Mulhouse's shops, museums and restaurants, the Best Western Salvator Centre lets families leave the car parked for the whole stay. Rooms are air-conditioned and soundproofed, a real plus for light sleepers in town, and each has a private bathroom. The open-air private car park is useful on arrival, the front desk is staffed 24 hours, and there is a gym and a bar. Pets are accepted, and over 1,400 reviews average 8.2.

I would pick Mercure Mulhouse Centre for a family or couple who wants to step off the train and be in the centre at once. The hotel stands opposite Mulhouse train station, with easy access to the local museums. It has a restaurant and a bar lounge with a summer terrace, and spa facilities are listed. Families and pets are welcome, so the stay suits a mix of travellers.

Hotel de la Bourse, Mulhouse Gare, Sure Hotel Collection by Best Western stands on the green side of Mulhouse, and I find that a pleasant change for families after a train journey. Modern en suite rooms come with high-speed free WiFi, and you can choose a view of the Jardin de la Bourse or of an interior garden. A continental breakfast is served daily and a lounge bar offers a quiet drink. Public parking is available nearby, and pets are welcome.

La Maison Hôtel Mulhouse Centre is 90 metres from the Temple Saint-Étienne and Place de la République, and for a family visiting Mulhouse on foot I would consider it a convenient base. Rooms are air-conditioned with a tea and coffee tray, and the breakfast buffet is served under a glass roof. The sauna and hammam in the fitness centre are more for parents than children. A 7.9 score over nearly 3,000 reviews suggests a correct, functional stay.

Hotel Du Parc is a four-star hotel in central Mulhouse, 300 metres from the main train station, and I like it for families thanks to its apartments, which give more space than a standard room, some with a separate seating area. The rooms are elegantly decorated, WiFi is free throughout and private parking is available nearby. Parents can end the evening at the piano bar, and the location suits day trips into Germany and Switzerland.

Located in the Parc des Collines business district, the Holiday Inn Mulhouse offers families a calm base with easy parking. Rooms are air-conditioned and soundproofed, so children can sleep well, and Wi-Fi is free. A buffet breakfast is served each morning, and the 24-hour reception helps if you arrive late after a long drive. Free public parking nearby saves money and stress, and pets are welcome. Guests give it 7.7 from more than 1,300 reviews.

Sitting a few steps from Mulhouse station, this hotel saves families arriving by train a long walk with luggage and children, and I find that hard to beat. Rooms are air-conditioned, with a flat-screen TV and free Wi-Fi, and the front desk is staffed around the clock. The bar is a pleasant spot in the evening, and the Museum of Fine Arts is a short walk away. Private parking helps if you come by car.

B&B HOTEL Mulhouse Dornach is a two-star hotel that keeps things practical for families on a budget of attention rather than fuss. The rooms are air-conditioned, with private bathrooms and flat-screen TVs, WiFi and parking are free, and there is luggage storage and a vending machine for a late snack. Facilities for disabled guests are provided, and pets are allowed. Do not expect a restaurant or a pool; this is a simple, reliable base.

Hotel-Restaurant Espace Squash 3000 is built around a large sports complex, and I would suggest it to active families who like to play together. There are two tennis courts, seven badminton courts and five squash courts on site. Rooms are bright, some with a balcony, and all have a private bathroom. The à la carte restaurant serves traditional French dishes, the reception runs 24 hours, and Mulhouse station is 4 km away.

Arriving by train with children, you are only steps from the door here: the Ibis Budget stands next to Mulhouse station. Rooms are simple and air-conditioned, with a private bathroom and free Wi-Fi. A continental breakfast gets the day going before the Cité de l'Automobile or the railway museum, both popular with children. Private parking and a 24-hour front desk add flexibility, and pets are accepted.

Soundproofed, air-conditioned rooms in central Mulhouse help families sleep well at the B&B HOTEL Mulhouse Centre, and some rooms are accessible for reduced mobility. A buffet breakfast is served each morning, and several restaurants lie within 600 metres for other meals. The train station is a 15-minute walk away, the Cité de l'Automobile is easy to reach, and the 24-hour front desk handles late arrivals. Fibre WiFi is free.

Hotel Le Strasbourg is a simple, central option in Mulhouse, and I would book it mainly for the free private parking, which is rare this close to the centre. A lift serves every floor, so pushchairs and luggage are easy to manage. Continental breakfast is served each morning in a dining room that opens onto a patio. Rooms are plain, with a TV and a private bathroom, and pets are welcome. Place de la Réunion is about a 10-minute walk away.

Contact Hôtel Arc-En-Ciel is a renovated three-star 5 km north of Mulhouse, with quick access to the A35 and A36 motorways for Mulhouse and Colmar. Family rooms are air-conditioned, and the outdoor pool is open in summer. The restaurant serves a traditional French dinner from Monday to Friday, so plan weekend meals elsewhere. Wi-Fi and parking are free and pets are welcome. I recommend it to families touring Alsace by car who want a pool and easy parking.

I see this ibis as a practical stop for families visiting Mulhouse. Rooms are air-conditioned, with satellite TV and free Wi-Fi, and the town centre is about ten minutes on foot. The restaurant serves French dishes, and the 24-hour snack bar helps when children get hungry after a late arrival. The buffet breakfast includes fresh pastries and madeleines. Pets are accepted, and the rating of 7.0 from over 900 reviews is fair for the price range.