Château de Valloubière

The setting is stunning, and we loved the jacuzzi. A lot of the amenities are done well, though some of the furnishings feel tacky. The service was disappointing: our dog and other guests were bothered by an overexcited puppy belonging to a staff member, who made no effort to restrain or take it away. We found the wine tasting mediocre, and the wines seemed of dubious quality. Although the staff member spoke good English, the presentation was entirely in French and they didn't even acknowledge my non-French-speaking partner. Our request for an early breakfast got a firm no, and settling the bill felt cold. Having four staff members and leaving the property unattended for long stretches may make the business more profitable, but it doesn't fit the quality of experience being advertised.

We had expected this to be a trip for just my wife and me, but our babysitter cancelled at the last minute, so we brought our toddler. I'd advise against bringing a young child here. It's much better suited to couples looking for a romantic getaway, and I don't fault the place for not trying to be family-friendly. The tapas were substantial and ended up serving as our dinner since we didn't want to go out with the little one. The room was immaculate, despite the negative comments I'd seen about cleanliness, and the location is a dream. If I had one complaint, it would be the signage on the way in. Without Waze or Google Maps, I thought we were lost, and even after arriving we weren't sure where reception was. Finding it felt awkward.

The room had a large bed, TV, coffee maker, shower, toilet, and a very spacious spa. Breakfast was generous, with nothing missing, and we were given a very pleasant welcome. The château is magnificent, and the little estate feels peaceful among the vineyards. There's also a large shared jacuzzi, heated to 37°C with massage jets. One drawback is the poor ventilation, which left the room smelling a little damp. The heat pump motors were quite noticeable, a shame in such a quiet setting.

The owner gave us an interesting introduction to the vineyard, then we were offered a tasting and explanations of the different wines, presented very professionally. The welcome was warm and the estate itself is pleasant and peaceful. This place is well worth visiting.