Hotel Du Moulin

I picked this hotel for a race weekend at the SPA Francorchamps circuit because places near the track were so expensive. It was a workable balance between price and location. I arrived late at night and check-in went smoothly. The staff treated me like family, which felt especially nice while I was abroad somewhere quite isolated. On the first day I had room n.1 on the ground floor. It was nicely equipped and big enough to feel like a junior suite. You can see the balance between renovation cost and appearance, but I think they pulled it off well. There are still a few little things to finish. The next day I had to move to a room on floor 1. That one was honestly a bit of a mess, and it was small. Some things made no sense, like the bathroom light switching off while you were showering and the sliding bathroom door not closing all the way. Breakfast was a real plus: not much variety, maybe, but the quality was very high. I also loved the hotel's furniture, it made the place feel relaxing.

The setting and grounds are a huge part of what makes this hotel special. The garden is so lovely I wouldn't be surprised if the gardener were paid as much as the head chef! The owners and head waiter speak French, German, English and Dutch, and they make you feel welcome. The menu is small, as it should be, and the food is fresh, delicious, beautifully presented and served in just the right portions. Food and service were both far beyond what I expected. It's an authentic, beautiful hotel.

The receptionist was very rude. I stayed here two years ago and only just noticed that Google had blocked my review. When I asked for an extra blanket, the receptionist swore about us, apparently thinking I didn't understand French.

Dinner with the gastronomic package was just right, with seasonal local products served beautifully. The continental breakfast left me a little disappointed. The room was spacious and comfortable, and the attentive staff gave us a very pleasant welcome by the open fire.