Le Relais de Castelnau

We stopped for a drink on the terrace to take in the beautiful view. The hotel staff were happy to serve us and let us relax in the sunshine. They even brought some water out for our dog.

The view is amazing, and the hotel was lovely and clean. It felt like a modern chain rather than somewhere luxurious or charming, but our room was nice and roomy, with air conditioning that helped in the 33°C heat. The food was very nice and the staff friendly. We enjoyed the pool, though it was a bit noisy for two old folks like us. Still, we had a good stay. We left before 8 every day, so we didn't try breakfast and can't comment on it. There were no coffee or tea facilities for us, which would have been nice.

The rear view is stunning, nearly enough to make the trip on its own. Food and drinks are quite pricey, though the continental breakfast is fairly good value.

The half-pension deal was a real highlight of my week here. Every evening came with four courses, including local dishes. If those aren't to your taste, you can choose from the menu for a small extra charge, though don't expect steak and fries. There was a good selection of regional cheeses, including goat cheese, and a really nice dessert. I'll need to follow all that up with a diet, though hopefully the long walks helped a bit. I'll miss relaxing at the pool in the late afternoon before dinner. The hotel sits on a hillside with a fabulous view across the Dordogne valley to Castelnau Castle. It was a very good experience, one of the best I've had on holiday in France.