Been staying here for several years & although the staf are great, the quality of the rooms is dropping. Desperately needs some painting & fixing.

My wife and I stayed in the Quatre Dauphins for three nights in June 2007. We also had the chance to compare it to another hotel - The Cardinal just a few streets around the corner.
I think, some the American reviews are a bit unfair. Of course, the rooms are small and there's no elevator. Hey, it's a 18th century building! The location is great, the staff is friendly and very helpful and one is based absolutely in downtown Aix.
Breakfast is little value for money, but at the end of the street, in the carrefour bar, breakfast was available for just 5,20 € per person.
Apparently, one has to either love or hate the quatre dauphins, we loved it.
We also loved Aix for it's beautiful old streets, the nice cafes and the overwhelming choice of good food. We thaught that there's much to see and had six great days in Aix, including some hiking in the Ste. Victoire Mountains and a trip to the beach at Carry-le-Rouet.

Asked for a quote for a room with a bidet and shower. They came back with a quote for 79.60 euros all taxes and service, no breakfast. I confirmed with a credit card. They came back with a message saying it replaced the previous email and that they were confirming a room for 9 days at 86.60 euros and that 30% of my stay would be charged to my credit card if I cancelled. Well, that should have been a clue but I didn't change anything.

When I arrived, they did not have a room with a bidet which we needed for medical reasons. We stayed one night and I told management we would have to find another hotel since they did not provide a room with a bidet as requested. I was immediately told I would have to pay the 30% cancellation fee. I argued with the manager but to no avail. And this 30% was not a minimum, it was on top of any services used. For example when I setteled they charged my 18 euros for coffee and croissonts.
I upheld my end of the agreement but they did not deliver the room with a bidet. I saw no way to avoid them charging my credit card which was about 250 euros.

I would advise you select a different hotel.

My husband and I are in full agreement with the Calgary and Baltimore reviews, below.
Regarding the hotel, there really wasn't anything wrong with it but there was nothing special about it, either. True, the provence bedspread and curtains were very nice, but overall the room was tired and worn. There were no common areas (i.e. in the reception area) that added any charm to the hotel.
We selected the hotel based on its recommendation in Michelin and several other guidebooks----fodor's gave it a "star" as a very special location.
We should have listened to the reviews on trip advisor---they are far more accurate: location is great but nothing else great. I certainly don't know what is so quaint about this hotel---it just came off as a very basic two star accomodation. Essentially, we got what we paid for.
Aix is also not a necessity as a stop in Provence. We were very surprised by the "outdoor mall" feel of the streets. Yes, the Cours Mirabeau is pretty and the cafe scene nice-- --but Arles is far more charming.
If we returned to Aix (which we won't) we would look for a different hotel----