Les Terrasses de David et Louisa

The owners are attentive and thoughtful about how they run this two star hotel, which feels more like a three star. Rooms are spacious by French standards, clean, and well maintained. Many look out onto the junction point of the main canals in this picturesque town. The restaurant is a little pricey for a two star hotel, but worth every Euro. It was one of the best meals of our France trip, and I praise carefully, as you can see from my reviews.

We sat outside for lunch last April, and the wind picked up a bit. Our server kept coming out to check that we were comfortable, even though we spoke hardly any French. She was really friendly and patient. The food was very good, the prices fair, and we’d love to return someday.

The owner is what makes this place special. She was so friendly and helpful, and breakfast came with delicious warm croissants, bread, eggs, ham, cheese, and all sorts of other goodies. The location is good too. The room was nice and the bathroom fine for a two-star hotel.

We never got to try the food, but the way we were greeted left me thinking it might be just as bad. For context, I own a Michelin restaurant in NYC. We were walking past and saw empty outdoor tables, so we went in through an open side door over a little bridge. There was no sign telling people not to use it. At an empty table, we used one of the napkins to wipe the wet seats since the staff hadn't done so. A few minutes later, a young man came out and told us we shouldn't have used the napkin. He went back inside, apparently to check on the table, but instead complained about us coming in that way and wiping the chair. They offered us a table inside right by the entrance, the least appealing one, while most of the indoor and outdoor tables were empty. When I asked why we couldn't sit outside, they said we'd been rude to use the side door and had committed the cardinal sin of wiping a wet chair, a job the useless waiter should have done. Their haughty attitude got the same kind of reply from me. Given how many reviews describe awful service, I don't expect anything to change. The restaurant keeps posting what I consider BS reviews to hold its rating at an undeserved 4. I strongly recommend avoiding it.