Anna 1808, the attached link will show you how to drive through the tolls without even opening a window. We use it and it is great. Beats queuing at the manual barriers. It will not, however work in Spain. You stick the gizmo on the inside of the windscreen and your UK bank account is charged following month.
https://www.saneftolling.co.uk/
As for hotels, it depends where you are coming from in UK. Typically we drive down and stay in Calais giving us a clear next day. Our usual route is therough Rouen, then across through Clermont Ferrand, Milllau bridge, Narbonne, Girona, etc. Easy drive. Place we stay/have stayed Calais, Bourges, Clermont Ferrand, Narbonne, Girona, Barcelona. All really depends on timing of your arrival at Calais. We tend to use ACCOR hotels.
Good luck!