Hey everyone, first post

Anyway, me and me dad are gonna be going to Spa this year, always been mine and me dad's fave circuit, so why not make it a mini holiday eh?

Anyway what I'm wondering is does anyone have any recommendations for places to stay? Camping isn't an option as me dad's back is quite bad, and mine isn't wonderful, so we're looking at hotels. Also we are driving across so within about 40-50 miles is possible if it has to be (preferable for it not to be, but no worries if it has to be)

We aren't looking for luxury, just sort of standard Travelodge style accommodation, not absolute dives but no luxuries, couple of beds and a TV if possible is all we'll need.

Theres a few on the F1 website, but every link goes thru to Brussels, and I dont wanna be travelling for hours and hours everyday, given that we are going for Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Thanks in advance guys

Stu

Hi Stu,

There've been many threads on here about Spa, just do a search on it by clicking on the Search BB button in the top right corner, then typing in Spa and selecting Grand Prix Travelling forum. You'll find a lot of information in there, from accommodation to how to get to the track.

Re hotel: you better book soon or most hotels will be booked up already. If you can't find anything near the track try the Accor Etaps hotel on the outskirts of Liege, it cost us only 40 euros per room per night and is about half an hour from the track by car.

That is if you don't get lost like we did

Last visit for me there, we stayed in a hotel in Germany. 60 km away. Not a big problem, and us getting there for the Friday training meant we learned the back roads back and forth. So in the melee Sunday afternoon, we came away serenely instead of getting stuck in the m-way jam.

Hello,

How hard would it be to get from Brussels to Spa on race day by train?

I am trying to do Monza-Spa. I looked at hotels in Liege and everything is booked. I am 24 (can't rent a car yet ) I was thinking about staying in Brussels and leave to Spa very early on Sunday morning and go back to Brussels after the race so I can fly back home on Monday. Is this something doable?

How good of a view do I get from the Pouhon stand? Can you walk the track after the race?

Any help will be hugely appreciated.

This is a long journey in terms of time. There is no direct train you must change at a small village called Pepinster or else at Veviers. So train time can be close to 2 hours. Check out www.sncb.be.

Then you arrive in Spa still almost 10km from the circuit. There is only one bus an hour to francorchamps and some of them do not take the direct route, which means that the journey can be over half an hour long too. Many people just group up and take a taxi.

Getting back can be difficult too depending on the numbers that attend. In 2001 it was close to 7pm when we got back to the train station in Spa but that was when much more people turned up.

My advice for what it is worth, camp close to the circuit - there are loads of places and the prices are controlled by the local commune (local adminstration). Bring warm clothes, rain gear and be careful with your tickets (see an earlier post of mine).

Thanks for the response pkenny.

I am taking my gf with me, so camping is pretty much out of the question because of her. How bad would be driving Sat and Sun to Spa from Brussels? Aachen? Maastricht? Is there anything interesting to do in these two cities?

I looked at Liege but it's all booked.

Also, looking at the tickets, out of these, which one is the best?

Eau Rouge (Gold 4)
Eau Rouge (Gold 3)
Raidillon (Gold 5 - seems like the cars are too far away)
Les Combes (Silver 3)
Bruxelles (Silver 4)
Pouhon (Silver 5)

We had Eau Rouge gold 4.

The view back up the track:


The view across to Bus Stop:



I think it's hard to get tickets with more view of the track. It definately beat the gold tickets we had for Monzas chicane 1, last year.

I stayed in Maastricht when I went in 1998. About a one hour drive each way. We arrived at the circuit VERY early each day and so had no issues with traffic or parking.

The pictures of jcbc3 are excellent. I was in that stand once in 2001 and it is an excellent choice. I was in the silver 2 stand below the corner beside he vodafone hoardings. These are also excellent as you can see right up the Kemmel straight where the cars go under the footbridge. I find that you appreciate the changes in elevation more if you are below the corner.

If you are bringing your gf I would go for the covered Gold 1. The weather in the Ardennes in mid September can be wet and cold. You will see Eau Rouge/Radillion, La Source and in the distance as the cars speed down to Pouhon.

I have driven to and from Brussels to the GP - but not on the morning of the race. It is less than 1.5 hours drive. Last time I went was in 2005. I was back home for tea at 5 30. Leige is nearer still. You should look for B and Bs there rather than hotels.

Wont be there this year for the race but expect to be there for the testing in July.

JCBC3,
That a great photo of the bus stop...I was up in the hill....errr somewhere !!
Have you enhanced those photos...blue sky ?? in Spa ??...shurely shome mishtake ???

I'll be back again this year...but I'm not so sure the view will be the same since they built the new pit lane...It looks an awfully tall building from what was there before...

But who cares....Spa is just special !!!

I can't take full credit for the photo's. They were taken by my brother ;-) But I bought the tickets so I guess I was somewhat responsible for them.

Definately getting Gold 4 Eau Rouge tix