La Cote Saint Jacques

The restaurant was the high point for us. Every dish was a delight, service was just as good, and the portions were satisfying for a gastronomic restaurant. Breakfast was memorable too, with delicious choices that surpassed what we expected. The hotel is peaceful, with lovely river views. Our spacious deluxe room had a large terrace overlooking the river, and the bathroom had both a shower and a generously sized tub. The spa was the one real letdown. Its dated, somewhat cheap-looking décor didn’t fit the hotel’s otherwise refined feel, and the sauna wasn’t working during our stay. They offered an infrared sauna the next day as compensation, but it still fell short of the standard set by the rest of the property. The hotel has comfortable rooms, a serene atmosphere, and exceptional dining, but the spa needs a lot of improvement.

We stayed at the hotel and ate at the restaurant, but I got food poisoning from the oysters, which are the restaurant’s specialty. My husband avoided them because he’s allergic, and I wonder if they weren’t chilled properly during the heat wave. We told the staff, but they seemed nonchalant and didn’t apologize. At checkout the next day, we were charged full price for the meal, despite the miserable night I’d had. I was unimpressed by the lack of accountability. The hotel was otherwise lovely, but food poisoning at a two-Michelin-star restaurant was not what we expected. It spoiled the trip, especially with a wedding the next day.

I didn’t stay here, though the guests get a spectacular view of the Yonne. From the mooring across the way, visitors instead have to look at this awful architectural carbuncle, which I think insults the dignity of such an ancient town. Guests probably don’t see the unappealing collection of outbuildings in the depressing 1970s-style ensemble from inside.

A three-Michelin-star experience. Just amazing, honestly the best ever.