Hôtel Montmirail

We felt unwelcome from the start, and the way the owners treated us made this the worst hotel experience we can remember. While we were still looking at the menu, the father kept tapping the table because it was three minutes past nine and the kitchen was about to close. We’d just driven for ten hours, so that felt pretty hostile. Later, the owners photographed our belongings, apparently to claim we’d used the protective bed cover as a dog bed, which we hadn’t. They scolded us like children, and the son eventually gestured for my wife to leave and insulted both her and our dog. They also added breakfast to our bill even though we hadn’t ordered or eaten it, saying we were recorded as having it. We left as soon as possible and got a croissant at a nearby bakery. We skipped breakfast the next morning too; what we saw looked like a youth hostel spread. The property itself also felt past its best. Dinner seemed stuck in the 1960s, with overcooked fish and vegetables that looked and tasted frozen. The bathroom lights were broken, and the shower hose was too short to shower standing up. Maybe it was once a nice place, but respect and basic manners toward guests were badly lacking here. We were glad to stay only two nights. Avoid it.

The owners and their sons are always ready to help or serve, and the staff are exceptionally kind. My in-laws have been coming two or three times a year for the past decade. We’ve stayed a couple of times during holiday season to get off the road on those black Saturdays. The place seems to attract an older crowd, though we’ve occasionally seen other parents with kids. Rooms are great, the food is well above average, and the location makes for a relaxing stay. Portions may feel small if you’re a healthy eater. They’ll make something for children, like veggie ravioli in creamy sauce, but don’t expect nuggets and fries. It may cost more than an ordinary family hotel, but we recommend it highly.

I left something behind in the room, and the staff quickly answered my message and sent it on to my next hotel at no extra charge. That was great service. The property is charming and picturesque, the rooms are comfortable, and the restaurant is fantastic. I’d gladly stay again.

Please avoid this place if you have food intolerances. We called before lunch to explain that one person in our party had coeliac disease and a severe gluten intolerance, then reminded the staff when we arrived. They didn’t seem to know which dishes contained gluten. The waiter initially said the spelt risotto was gluten-free, and only changed his mind after we showed him Google results. Our coeliac guest felt unwell afterward, which suggests another dish may have contained gluten too. I can’t recommend it to anyone with allergies.