Le Chateau De Beaulieu

The food is exquisite in every way, and I’d come back for a meal. I wouldn’t stay again. The hotel makeover has been a disaster, and it feels stark, cold, and unwelcoming, like a sad, unforgivable desecration of a beautiful historic house. The bedding was dirty, and the bedroom was small even though the hotel was empty. It was minus 6 outside with three inches of snow, but I had to ask repeatedly to keep the fire going in the only original room with an open fireplace. Please make an effort to keep it burning, and add some carpets or rugs to make the place warmer and more welcoming. Breakfast is crazily far from the kitchen, at the other end of the hotel.

The setting is stunning, and make time for a walk around the gardens and a visit to the animals. Our room and the common areas were fantastic, and the staff were welcoming, kind, and helpful. They showed us to our room and explained how everything worked. We arrived in an electric car and were glad to find three charging parking stations in the main car park. The spa facilities and massage service get five stars from me. All guests can use the indoor pool, steam room, and sauna without paying extra. My only downsides were the bed, which had cushions but no pillows, and the gym. It had just three rather dated machines, with no weights or equipment for strength training. Thanks a lot for the experience!

For the price, this definitely isn’t worth it. The facilities and service don’t feel five-star, and the decor and grounds are unattractive. The hallway outside the rooms smelled like a portable toilet, and the water wasn’t hot. There wasn’t much water or any milk for tea or coffee in the room, and even the suite had no lotion or conditioner. The spa and pool are so small that they were completely full even though the hotel seemed empty, so I gave up and never used them. Breakfast wasn’t good either. We waited 15 minutes without being offered tea, coffee, or pastries, then had to ask. The service was poor, and the napkins were paper. The two-star Michelin restaurant was fine, but not memorable. My fish was so undercooked it was rubbery, and the service was lacking. We poured our own wine, sent glasses back because they smelled bad, and returned cutlery with grease on it. The soups and sauces were all lukewarm.

Christophe was there after the meal to greet all his guests. The staff were friendly and helpful, and both restaurants, the two-star one and the bistro, were superb. The spa is idyllic. This stunning Chateaux has a wonderful modern look and feel inside. A little gem, highly recommended.