Manoir d'Hautegente

The reception manager went out of her way to call the tow service and local garages for us when our car broke down. Without her help, I don’t think we’d have got it fixed in time to leave the next day. Most people we needed to speak with didn’t speak English, so handling those calls ourselves would’ve been really hard. We’d booked just one night at Hotel Restaurant Manoir d’Hautegente, and what began as a stressful breakdown turned into a lovely stay. Everyone was kind, and the family-run hotel felt welcoming and comfortable right away. The garden was beautiful and clearly well cared for. We’re hugely grateful, and we’d gladly come back, hopefully without car trouble. It’s the most beautiful hotel in France, and such a memorable countryside stop.

After spending more than 8 months on the road this year, staying at Manoir Hautegente felt like a real retreat. It’s a family-owned place a little over 2 hours outside Bordeaux, and I hadn’t expected such a friendly French getaway. There’s plenty to enjoy outside, from the horses and fuzzy chickens to the trail behind the property and swings in the picturesque yard. You can relax or work out there, and Oakley, the Manoir mascot, is part of the welcome. The wheat fields along the long driveway make a lovely first impression too. Marie and her hardworking staff have created a great atmosphere. The food servers worked hard, and housekeeping kept our room in order and organized things before we even thought to ask. It’s a lovely 5 star property, and we’ll be back. I can’t say enough about the staff.

The rooms were clean, comfortable, and well furnished. It’s a stunning site, and a great base for exploring the Dordogne. I’d give the location a 6 if I could.

Such a beautiful, idyllic place, but we hadn’t realized hotel guests needed to reserve dinner. Mobile service was poor on the way there, and they couldn’t hear us confirm our request when they called. When we arrived, we were told we couldn’t eat at the hotel, so we ended up having pizza at a nearby campground.