Domaine de Chalveches Hotel SPA 4*

The hillside setting is beautiful, with great views and a laid-back feel. Our room was spacious, the hot tubs on the deck were a real highlight, and the pool was great too, with a good-sized swimming area, nice views and a handy bar nearby. Still, for what we paid, the stay was disappointing. The room details let it down. The cups were tiny, more like shot glasses for tea or coffee, there was no bin, and although the room had four indoor chairs and space for four people, the outdoor table only had two. There was no WiFi password written anywhere either. The restaurant looked impressive at first, but the food was mediocre at best. The meat was chewy and fatty, either raw or cooked until it was like rubber, and most of the dishes were bland. The waiters seemed uninterested and could use more training. Their France-branded polo shirts felt like an odd choice for a fancy restaurant. We were very disappointed for the price, and the remote location makes it feel as if you’re tied to the hotel facilities. Bringing food from the local village for a picnic in the room might be a better option, though you’ll need to bring a bin bag for the rubbish.

The welcome was warm, and the room was pretty, with a lovely bathroom and a big balcony. The swimming pool and balcony both had great views over this beautiful spot in the Ardèche, surrounded by nature. We stayed at this domaine for three nights and came away with a three-star experience. A few things could use attention. The bed was hard and not very comfortable, and the room wasn’t well soundproofed, so doors and other noises carried through. Only one staff member could speak English, and the person who helped and served us didn’t even try. Checkout was entirely in French, which made it difficult to discuss a mistake on the bill, so I decided to leave it. Prices felt high for what was offered. Beer and cappuccino were €6, and 0.5L of water was €4. The restaurant food was just okay for the price, and since the hotel is in the middle of nowhere, we felt rather tied to its facilities. We had a good stay, but we’d think twice about returning at those prices.

The terrace and views were wonderful, and the pool was great. The location is lovely, though getting to local sights meant some long drives. Breakfast was good, but not great, and the rooms showed a few signs of wear. We didn’t eat dinner here.

The staff were friendly, the rooms were clean and very quiet, and breakfast was excellent. Everything was perfect.