Logis Hôtel Le Coq Hardi

We had a wonderful lunch, with great food and service. The restaurant has a beautiful view of the Loire River, and the Pouilly Fumé by the glass was excellent.

The room was a little small but perfectly adequate, and the lovely terrace right off it more than made up for that. The bathroom was great. We stayed two nights and had a fabulous dinner on one evening. Breakfast was just okay. The fridge wasn't turned on until we got there, so the fruit and yogurt weren't as cold as you'd expect. The woman poured each of us one glass of fresh orange juice and took the bottle away, and we had one coffee pot each without being asked if we wanted more. It felt as if the key parts of breakfast were rationed. We could probably have asked, but I've never before had drinks unavailable for guests to refill themselves. Still, we enjoyed our stay. It suited us well as we wanted a hotel near Sancerre.

The rooms don't have air conditioning, but the double doors open onto a good-sized balcony with views over the Loire at the end of the garden. Breakfast could use some thought, both in what they serve and how. The food was excellent and expensive, but in this case you get what you pay for. The area has plenty to offer, and the hotel is well worth a visit. I'd recommend it.

The dinner was first class from beginning to end. Every dish was thoughtfully imagined, and the cooking was excellent. We were amazed that the chef-owner and just one other staff member managed it all. The hotel itself is simply furnished and spotlessly clean, with a lovely terrace overlooking the river and a large, modern shower room with a very good shower. It's in a delightful spot, with the gardens running down to the Loire and the "caves" of Pouilly across the road, where you can buy Pouilly Fumé and other wines. A fine example of a French country hotel and restaurant.