À la Porte Saint Jean

My room was clean, warm and cosy, with a comfortable bed, though the seating was pretty basic. It was in a separate building about 20-30 metres down Rue des Bains, on the third floor with no lift. I’d booked the overnight stay for an early train, which got cancelled, but that’s another story. The sink plug didn’t work, and the shower head attachment was broken or missing.

The meals were beautifully cooked and presented, and the menus were very good value. A friendly lady welcomed us and served our table. I was there for dinner with friends who live locally, not to stay overnight. We’ll definitely come back next time I’m in La Souterraine.

The breakfast was the one small letdown, since it didn’t measure up to lunch or dinner. Those meals, included in my Demi-Pension, were a real pleasure. I tried other restaurants nearby, but none matched the authenticity, service, quality for the price, or taste. During my training in La Souterraine I stayed for a week. The rooms are compact and simple, but very clean, and the beds are comfortable. I’d recommend it.

We arrived to find a freezing room when it was -1 degrees outside, and the heating wasn’t working, so we slept in our clothes. The room was outside the main hotel, and there was nobody at reception to ask. It seemed the hotel closed at 7pm, with no hospitality after that. The small double room had no tea or coffee facilities, and the TV channels didn’t work. The free WIFI barely worked. Decor was dull, the carpet very old and dirty, and the bathroom minimal. The shower water eventually got hot. Towels were clean, but there was no complimentary soap or shampoo.