Auberge du Bon Laboureur Chenonceaux

We had a great time here. The dining room was a highlight: even during a weekday visit in the off season, the bistro menu was excellent, and there’s fine dining in season too. The staff were very helpful. The hotel fits quietly into this beautiful village, with the Chateau of Chenonceau an easy walk away. Its mix of old houses and newer buildings opens onto a little farm with sheep and ducks, while a heated swimming pool sits across the road.

The food was the biggest letdown. My langoustine starter was three tiny, dry, room-temperature pieces, already cooked and still carrying the vein and entrails. The fish main came out extremely hot, badly overcooked, and far too salty for me to eat. The white wine took about 20 minutes to arrive, and despite sitting on ice, it was warm when opened. I wish someone had simply said it hadn’t been chilled properly. Were we meant to have it with dessert? Service made the meal more frustrating. Courses arrived while earlier plates were still on the table, and the waitstaff seemed unsure who could clear them. The woman taking our order didn’t know which of us had ordered each dish. A butter wrapper stayed on the table, too. It felt like one small mistake after another. At Auberge du Bon Laboureur, the staff came across as inexperienced, almost like students acting out restaurant service. The manager was polite but seemed strangely absent and checked out. The place seemed to be trying hard to look like fine dining, but the food and service didn’t live up to that. For a restaurant with this reputation, it was a serious disappointment. The whole operation felt like a large, bumbling, incompetent team pretending to deliver fine dining.

We stopped in for coffee rather than staying overnight, and they welcomed us with open arms. On a cold, wet afternoon in February, our group had two small dogs with us. The staff quickly showed us to the lounge and bar and served us promptly. Everyone was friendly, cheerful, and very professional. The decor is beautiful, warm, and clean. Absolutely lovely hotel.

The Gourmand restaurant was quite expensive, though the food and service there were excellent. We also tried the other restaurant, and had excellent food and service there too. My one other gripe: the shower had very little water pressure. The place is wonderful and well located, and the front desk staff were awesome.