La Chartreuse du Val Saint Esprit

We drove two hours for Valentine’s Day and ended up bringing our own dinner because, after we’d booked, we were told the restaurants were full. There wasn’t much atmosphere, and the staff didn’t feel warm. Breakfast food had run out halfway through. This place feels like it’s declining. You’d be better off in a cheerful two-star hotel. It needs a lot of work, and I’d stay away until someone buys it and improves it. Hopefully they don’t pay much for it.

The restaurant dinner was sublime, so the stay wasn’t all bad. This was our second visit to an absolutely stunning place, and the room was really nice. The heated floor was unfortunately far too hot, with no way to control it. Breakfast was a real letdown this time. I’d still recommend the hotel, since it’s only an hour from Le Shuttle.

The open fields around the hotel make it wonderfully peaceful. At night, we could leave the big windows open for cool air, then wake to birds and mourning doves. The huge backyard was lovely to walk around, and there’s a fruit and flower garden nearby worth seeing. Inside, the old-chic feel is kept clean, with no garbage lying around. There are EV charging stations and three good restaurants on site, so there’s no need to go out if you’d rather stay in. Some rooms don’t have AC, and in others it may not be strong enough to cool the room in the afternoon. Sun coming through the open blinds can warm it up a lot. Still, it’s a beautiful, quiet place to relax, with little details that make it feel special. I had a really nice stay and would recommend it for a calm getaway.

I ate at Robert II, one of the three restaurants, and it was fine French dining. After dinner I ordered two cognacs at the bar without checking the price. At 40 euros a shot, that came as a surprise. I’m not sure whether that says more about me or La Chartreuse! It’s a very nice hotel set in extensive grounds. It feels very French rather than like a hotel chain, which you’ll love if that’s your thing. Excellent experience and highly recommended.