Domaine de Rymska & Spa - Relais & Châteaux

The Rymska Suite was beautiful, with plenty of windows and a big, comfortable bathroom, but small details kept getting in the way. The towels were tiny, and bathroom products weren't topped up unless we asked. At one point, staff even put an empty shampoo tube back in the shower. Our daughter was treated kindly, and they made her pasta with ham and cheese each day when we asked, though that was the only dish offered for her. The food was very good, and the Burgundy-focused wine list was large and interesting. Still, the one-star Michelin restaurant had only a few choices, with little menu variety over our three days. Since the hotel is at least 15 minutes from another restaurant, that got limiting. Room service was practically nonexistent: soup of the day, Caesar salad, or croque monsieur. Breakfast was good, but not remarkable, and the à la carte choices were the same each day, with a fixed time slot to choose. The hotel itself is gorgeous, with lovely rooms and decor, and a peaceful, bucolic setting in the Burgundy countryside. The living room, fireplace, and restaurant are nicely done, and the staff were friendly. Some employees struggled a bit with English, though it seemed more geared toward French guests than international tourists. For a five-star Relais&Chateaux, I expected more attention to the guest experience. Nobody offered to help with our bags when we arrived. I had to ask for help getting them to our room, which was up a staircase with no elevator. There was no warm welcome, not even a coffee or a glass of sparkling wine. At departure, nobody helped again, and I carried all the luggage down a narrow staircase myself. The staff could use a better sense of what guests expect at this level. Despite the beautiful property and some real positives, I wouldn't choose it next time I'm in Burgundy.