Clos des Jacobins (Grand Cru Classé)

I'll remember those grand views of vineyards and distant châteaux for a long time. Our room was spacious, and the bathroom was huge, with panoramic views on three sides. The service was kind and attentive, merci Emma! We were also offered a vineyard visit to see the production process and taste the wine. It was informative and engaging, merci Sophie for a great experience!

The place is known for its wine tours, and it doesn't officially rate its hotel service with stars. Based on the price, though, you might see it as a 4-star stay. In the off-season it was quite peaceful, and the shared areas felt more like a hostel, with guests from different places able to socialize. The room had a coffee machine and kettle, but no water or cookies. There was a cooler, though no air conditioning, and guests need to bring plug adapters. The color scheme was quite vivid, especially the strong green. The beds and pillows felt up to a 4-star standard, and the pillows were comfortable. The bathroom has separate wet and dry areas. The shower seems to have been added later and was well below average for the feel of the house. Water came out in a thin, slow stream without much pressure, and the sink drained slowly and needs maintenance. A hairdryer, shampoo, shower gel and soap were provided. You'll need to bring conditioner, face cleanser, hand wash, toothbrush, toothpaste and a comb. The bathroom setup doesn't meet what I'd expect from a 4-star hotel. The nearest town is about 2 kilometers away, and there's no dinner service, so you have to find somewhere to eat in town. The distance might sound manageable, but the nearby street lights never come on, so it gets very dark at night. There are no sidewalks, and walking along the road felt dangerous. Local drivers go fast on the rural roads, and anyone uneasy about driving at night may find it hazardous, especially with ditches on both sides. During our stay, a car actually went into a ditch. Wi-Fi was less stable, though coverage was better on the first floor. The billiards room was a nice bonus and gave guests something to do in the evening. Breakfast is offered, and there's private parking. Apart from the billiards room, I'd rate the facilities at 4 stars.

Claimonts, the manager, was polite and helped us sort out food and other services. She even drove us to the station and downtown. The villa is large, and the room and bathroom were amazing and spacious. We really enjoyed our two-day stay. You'll need a car to get around easily here, but I'd say just go for it.

My son and I had a fantastic tour that taught us a lot. We loved every moment and will be back.