La Villa Francois Premier

A luxury feel without going beyond budget. Highly recommend it.

The room was comfortable and the location suited us well. The host, though, joined us for breakfast and took over the conversation with stories about his life, apparently not realizing we might have wanted some privacy in the morning. It was nice of him, but intrusive, and this happened on both mornings. That took away a little from the hotel's overall quality.

The suite Chambon worked really well for our family, especially its roomy layout that let us get plenty of fresh air, even in the living area. The bedrooms are spread across two floors, and all were pleasant and nicely renovated. Downstairs there are shared spaces, including the breakfast room, a handy kitchen for after a day hiking, and a lounge. The owners are very attentive, and breakfast is family-style with local products. The croissant and pain au chocolat were divine, and they made a different homemade treat each day, like Basque cake one day and pancakes the next. Villa François 1er is a great base for exploring La Bourboule, even if it's a small town, and one entrance to Fenestre Park is just steps away. We stayed a week and already want to return with a bigger group, since the house suits that well. There's also a jacuzzi/sauna area for an extra fee.

Deborah and Julien were lovely hosts, always welcoming and ready to help with advice or anything we needed. The hotel itself is clean, beautifully renovated, and decorated with taste, in a great location. Having a fully equipped kitchen alongside the usual hotel conveniences was a real bonus for cooking or making tea and coffee after sightseeing or a hike. La Bourboule is a lovely place, and the countryside nearby is stunning. We'd gladly come back and recommend it.