Château de Beaulieu et Magnolia Spa, The Originals Relais

The restaurant served creative food that we enjoyed, with a solid wine list, and the service was good. We stayed here for the last night of the first part of our 'Loire a velo' trip. It’s a beautiful building with plenty of character, set in a lovely park full of remarkable trees. Our spacious room had vintage charm, while the bathroom and toilet were separate and modern.

We had a delicious dinner at Chateau Beaulieu, served with the old-world professionalism and elegant atmosphere we appreciated. The people there are charming and clearly care about the hotel and dining experience. Our three-night stay was very enjoyable, especially the quiet "Chambre Chateau" on the second floor, with its pleasant room and view over the formal garden. Breakfast was very good too.

The helpful staff knew their stuff, and our room was huge, spotless, and beautifully decorated, with a lovely view over the hotel courtyard. The bathroom was small by comparison, but clean and adequate. The main lawn and garden are carefully maintained, though the grounds beyond them were disappointing: a very run-down area with what used to be a mini golf course and bar.

The reception and dining spaces have real charm, and we were impressed by the friendly owner and her husband’s cuisine. Our room was a letdown, though. It wasn’t at all like the pictures, and we got a fairly bare, basic room that needs some renovation. The bathroom was basic too, and the toiletries were budget.