Hotel Le Guilazur

The dinner was freshly prepared and well cooked, with no convenience food except the peas in my case, which was fine by me. The vegetable soup was a blast, served in a huge bowl. My room was simple but comfortable, and the bed was very good, though the bathroom could use an overhaul. The patrons are warm and welcoming. Breakfast was a typical French sweet-only spread with no options. Half board at €72,-- for a solo traveler in a double room with a balcony is a catch. I can recommend it.

The prices are more than fair, and the owners are very friendly with good, quick service. The hotel is ideally located for the col. Though it’s by the road, it’s calm at night. Rooms are okay, clean, and functionally equipped; there’s an open restaurant and a bar. Breakfast didn’t satisfy me, but you can help yourself to as much good coffee as you like, which you’ll appreciate if you’re coming from Italy.

The region is beautiful and the kitchen is great, so it’s a real pity our stay was such a bad experience. During the first two days, staff came into our personal space five times because there was no “do not disturb” sign and they didn’t understand what the wooden heart I hung on the door handle meant. The staff spoke neither English nor German. Worse, my girlfriend, unsure whether she might be pregnant because her period was late, specifically asked for a non-alcoholic drink and was served some kind of long drink containing liquor. The rooms are old, with disgusting carpet tiles and the worst bed I’ve ever slept in.

I had lunch outside today in the garden under the umbrellas. The restaurant was good, though the prices aren’t cheap. This place has something magic about it, and I’d like to come back to spend two or three nights at the hotel. It’s an awesome base for excursions to Aiguilles Valley in the natural park of Queyras and to Col Agnel, an impressive high alpine pass between France and Italy.