Hotel Imago

A clean room, a really comfortable bed, and a warm welcome made this an easy stop for one night while we were traveling through France. It was easy to find, too. We didn’t eat there, though the menu looked very appealing.

We spent two weeks here in August 2021, using the hotel as our base for exploring the Loire Valley. It’s in a very peaceful spot on a hillside, with lovely views over the valley. Though it feels remote once you’re there, Chinon is only a short drive away, and the location made day trips in both directions along the river easy. There was plenty of free parking, and we could park on the same level as our room. The staff were friendly and helpful throughout, and the well-kept hotel was easy to settle into. M. Loussouarn made us feel welcome from the start and was a natural, professional host. With covid still a concern, staff kept their masks on and promptly sprayed and wiped surfaces when needed. Our ground-floor room had a small terrace and a great valley view. It was clean and well serviced, with a large comfortable bed, a good-sized bathroom that was better equipped than average, efficient air conditioning, and reliable WiFi. There was also a TV with BBC news. A small fridge would have been useful, but it wasn’t a significant issue. We enjoyed the food: breakfasts were very good French buffets with plenty of choice, and dinners were served on the terrace overlooking the valley. The restaurant’s food was excellent and nicely presented, and the service was faultless. I tried duck, veal, and guinea fowl, while my wife mostly chose fish. The desserts were a treat, though after a filling main course I sometimes went for a simple cheese board instead. There was a very good wine selection as well. We were on half board and ate at the hotel every evening except the two Sundays when the restaurant was closed. M. Loussouarn offered to book a local restaurant for Sunday dinner, and we accepted for the second Sunday. We’ll definitely stay here again when we’re back in this part of France. I’d recommend it whether you’re visiting the Loire châteaux and museums or just passing through.

There isn’t a lot to do nearby, to be honest. You can cycle, visit some of the Loire castles, relax, or taste local wines, and that’s about it. I didn’t mind that, though. Our room was on the top floor, with a view over the whole valley. It had four beds, two of them separate, plus two air conditioning units that were very welcome during the summer heat waves. The sheets were clean and tidy, and there was a flat-screen TV with CNN and BBC in English. Everything felt modern and clean, and the bathroom was well above average. The only small thing missing was a little fridge. The food was excellent, especially the roasted duck. The drinks were cold, the wine delicious, and the desserts magnifique. Staff were skilled and friendly throughout. The owner was charismatic, helpful, funny, and welcoming. I’d try to persuade you to stay, but you’ll have to experience it for yourself.

A nice, quiet place for an overnight stay, with friendly staff, good food, a good choice of local wines and cold beers, and an excellent view.