Château de la Barbinière

The château has beautiful, eye-catching architecture, but the stay was a major disappointment. The rooms are in cold, unattractive annexes that look more like a boarding school or detention center than a boutique hotel. Our view was of construction sites, with trucks and noise throughout the day. It left me feeling that foreign visitors and locals were treated as separate, less worthy guests. Room cleanliness was questionable: the sheets were only stretched over, never changed, and the soap dispensers weren't checked or refilled. On the first night we found a nest of spiders over the bed. We asked for fumigation or at least insecticide, but nobody helped or offered a solution. They looked at us as if it were our fault. No one speaks English?! There are no basic services: no room service, laundry or iron, and nothing that justifies a four-star rating. The restaurant only opens after 7 pm and requires a booking. If you don't arrange one, you'll spend the night without food. They won't even give you a sandwich over the counter, or serve you when there are open tables. Reception only operates during office hours, so guests are left unattended at night. The property's main entrance is never locked, so anyone can come in; you just have to lock your room and hope for the best. Reception and restaurant staff were cold, impersonal and sometimes condescending. I never felt welcome. Don't stay here unless you're ready to arrange all services yourself, at your own expense, and travel to the nearby town 8 km away during working hours, where services may not be the best. It's a beautiful historic setting let down by poor facilities, questionable cleanliness, careless service and a lack of hospitality.

The family rooms for three have no bathroom door, and the mirror is positioned so others in the room can see inside. I found this disturbing and inappropriate, not just uncomfortable. I regret not checking the reviews more carefully beforehand, since this seems to be a known issue. When I mentioned it at reception, the staff acted like they didn't know about it and chose not to address it. That's disappointing, especially in an otherwise fantastic place.

I've stayed here three times, and each visit has been better than the last. It's a clean, charming hotel in the countryside, with lovely grounds and walking trails nearby. The rooms have a rustic feel but are still very modern, and the shower is great. The nearby town is charming too.

The junior suite was beautiful, and the château itself is really lovely. Breakfast was good and had everything you need for €13. Staying here felt like being in a fairy tale.