Château Franc Grâce-Dieu

The chateau's location is absolutely perfect, right in the heart of St Emilion among the famous chateaus and just three minutes from the old town centre. Everything you need for a wine holiday is within a 10-minute drive. The house and gardens are stunning and full of character. The en-suite bathrooms are modern, the showers have strong water flow, and the kitchen had decent facilities for our group of eight. Still, the house was disappointing overall. It smelled damp, and the mobile air-conditioning units in the bedrooms were noisy and insufficient. There was no air conditioning in the very hot lounge, and not enough seating there. The outdoor facilities were basic, so you couldn't really prepare or cook food outside, and the place needs an upgrade. During our week, the sheets and towels weren't changed once, and there was no cleaning help, which didn't feel luxurious. Although it's a working vineyard with wine tasting classes in the annex, there wasn't good wine ware such as glasses. There were no usual country-house extras like board games or backgammon either, so you'll need to bring everything. I'd avoid arriving at night: it can feel spooky when there are no lights on and nobody to greet you, especially if you're unsure you've found the right place. We had a fantastic time in a stunning location, but the house itself let us down. I can't recommend it.

Wake up to a vineyard view at this picturesque chateau just outside St Emilion. The host was friendly, and breakfast was good. Wine tastings can be arranged in advance. There aren't many places within walking distance, so plan ahead if you're going to enjoy a few tastings. Also, keep in mind there's no air conditioning during the summer.

The rooms have been renovated in an authentic style, and the property is quiet, 4 km from Saint Emilion. The owners' shop has very good wines for sale.

A nice place for an overnight stay, with a view of Saint Emilion's old city.