A collection of five historic buildings dating from the 1700s, the four-pearl Auberge du Bon Laboureur sits in a quiet village, about 10 minutes' walk from the Chateau de Chenonceaux, hailed by many as the prettiest castle in the Loire Valley. The property belongs to the Relais du Silence, a group of small, European hotels that meet a criteria for charm and service. And this four-pearl property is indeed charming with a Michelin-starred restaurant that opens to a garden, an outdoor pool surrounded by greenery and loungers, and rooms that mix antique furnishings with modern luxuries, like contemporary soaking tubs. At least one of the rooms has a pastoral view, but travelers seeking to get closer to nature might try Ferme Auberge le Moulin de Saussaye, which is on a working farm.
A collection of five historic buildings dating from the 1700s, the four-pearl Auberge du Bon Laboureur sits in a quiet village, about 10 minutes' walk from the Chateau de Chenonceaux, hailed by many as the prettiest castle in the Loire Valley. The property belongs to the Relais du Silence, a group of small, European hotels that meet a criteria for charm and service. And this four-pearl property is indeed charming with a Michelin-starred restaurant that opens to a garden, an outdoor pool surrounded by greenery and loungers, and rooms that mix antique furnishings with modern luxuries, like contemporary soaking tubs. At least one of the rooms has a pastoral view, but travelers seeking to get closer to nature might try Ferme Auberge le Moulin de Saussaye, which is on a working farm.
The upper-middle-range Hotel Le Manoir les Minimes is a 15-room manor house situated right along the Loire River with views of the nearby Château Royal d'Amboise. Lounge areas feature traditional French country decor and the hotel sits on a well-manicured plot with exceptional views and some outdoor seating. The downfall here is the limited property features. While there's a charming dining room offering breakfast (for a fee), and a bureau stocked with liquor that serves as a bar, the property lacks a full-service restaurant or wellness facilities. Rooms, situated among the manor house and adjacent cottage, are individually decorated with traditional decor that's progressively more stylish as you move up in room category. Modern amenities include flat-screen TVs, minibars, and free Wi-Fi. By comparison, the Le Manoir Saint Thomas is just a touch more luxe, though it lacks the riverfront location.
The upper-middle-range Hotel Le Manoir les Minimes is a 15-room manor house situated right along the Loire River with views of the nearby Château Royal d'Amboise. Lounge areas feature traditional French country decor and the hotel sits on a well-manicured plot with exceptional views and some outdoor seating. The downfall here is the limited property features. While there's a charming dining room offering breakfast (for a fee), and a bureau stocked with liquor that serves as a bar, the property lacks a full-service restaurant or wellness facilities. Rooms, situated among the manor house and adjacent cottage, are individually decorated with traditional decor that's progressively more stylish as you move up in room category. Modern amenities include flat-screen TVs, minibars, and free Wi-Fi. By comparison, the Le Manoir Saint Thomas is just a touch more luxe, though it lacks the riverfront location.
The Hotel Oceania L'Univers Tours is an upper-middle-range property that blends a bold, contemporary design with Belle Epoque accents. It's well-located, set a 10-minute walk from major sights and the center's numerous restaurants and bars, plus a three-minute walk from Tours train station. The 91 spacious rooms have simple, modern furniture and pops of color, as well as flat-screen TVs with Disney channels, desks, and safes, but no fridges or kettles. A pleasant spa area has an indoor pool, hot tub, and treatment rooms. A tiny gym only has a few cardio machines. The traditional French restaurant serves three meals each day during select times, including a buffet breakfast, while a bar offers the region's famous wines. Travelers wanting a quiet location nearer Loire Valley castles may prefer the feature-packed Clarion Hotel Chateau Belmont.
The Hotel Oceania L'Univers Tours is an upper-middle-range property that blends a bold, contemporary design with Belle Epoque accents. It's well-located, set a 10-minute walk from major sights and the center's numerous restaurants and bars, plus a three-minute walk from Tours train station. The 91 spacious rooms have simple, modern furniture and pops of color, as well as flat-screen TVs with Disney channels, desks, and safes, but no fridges or kettles. A pleasant spa area has an indoor pool, hot tub, and treatment rooms. A tiny gym only has a few cardio machines. The traditional French restaurant serves three meals each day during select times, including a buffet breakfast, while a bar offers the region's famous wines. Travelers wanting a quiet location nearer Loire Valley castles may prefer the feature-packed Clarion Hotel Chateau Belmont.