Château d'Artigny

The warm welcome and beautiful views made our stay a pleasure, and we enjoyed the food when we dined. Our room was comfortable, though the bathroom could use an update. The bidet had no water, and the sink didn’t get hot enough for shaving, so we boiled the kettle. There are a few details that could be improved. Dust and cobwebs on the grand chandeliers need attention, and the lift is very small. The château’s public toilets were cramped and had paper towels, while the pool facilities had fabric ones that seemed more suited to the setting. A printed list of amenities and a simple property map would also have helped. We still enjoyed our visit and were grateful for the attentive, welcoming staff.

The grounds were such a letdown. The fountain wasn’t running, weeds needed pulling, the landscaping looked neglected, the path stones needed repair, and the pots were empty. I was shocked by how run down everything looked. Service was just okay, nowhere near five-star. Our room honestly felt scary, almost haunted. The place seems to have received its five-star rating because it’s a cool chateau. It needs a serious investment, and I wouldn’t stay again without a major upgrade. We’d stayed at Villa Lara and Cheneverie in Bayuex, both rated five stars, and they were way more amazing.

The weather put an end to our planned bike rides, so we settled in with cocktails at the bar and worked on our computers. Later, we had an amazing couples massage and used the facilities before dinner. The reception and spa teams were lovely and accommodating. We walked around the grounds before dinner and saw the new pool and tennis courts. The pool area is impressive, with a slide I hadn’t seen online, a huge sunbathing space, games, an outdoor bar and restrooms. You could easily spend the whole day there.

The pool, spa and surroundings are lovely, and the room facilities are fantastic, even though the rooms and the building itself are tired and need an urgent refresh. Julien at reception is a gem. Faut absolument le garder, des gens comme lui sont de plus en plus rares à trouver! The food is good, but not great and needs some attention. Still, it’s a very good place to stay. We’ll be back.