{"id":81836,"date":"2025-05-07T12:30:09","date_gmt":"2025-05-07T12:30:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/81836\/"},"modified":"2025-05-07T12:30:09","modified_gmt":"2025-05-07T12:30:09","slug":"relais-de-chambord-france-hotel-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/81836\/","title":{"rendered":"Relais de Chambord, France hotel review"},"content":{"rendered":"

Why book<\/strong><\/p>\n

To wake up to a privileged perspective of France\u2019s most famous fairytale chateau. This is a refined retreat in the Loire Valley\u2019s lavish Ch\u00e2teau de Chambord grounds.<\/p>\n

Set the scene<\/strong><\/p>\n

Few French chateaux captivate quite like Chambord, the flamboyant 16th-century vision of King Francois I, whose stark-white form and Da Vinci-influenced design details marked the arrival of the Renaissance in France. These features give this sophisticated 56-room hotel, located in the chateau\u2019s former stables just a stone\u2019s throw from its slate-clad turrets, a significant wow factor. The only hotel on the chateau\u2019s 5,440-hectare estate, this 19th-century guesthouse was reopened in 2018 by Spanish hoteliers Marugal and, following a design overhaul by acclaimed French architect Jean-Michel Wilmotte, has been transformed into a stylish, well-equipped retreat with the best of the Loire Valley on its doorstep.<\/p>\n

The rooms<\/strong><\/p>\n

Details throughout Relais de Chambord nod to the exuberant chateau across the way. Harlequin motifs on the carpets, antler sculptures on the walls and salamander artwork reflective of Francois I\u2019s royal emblem all feature in the design. It continues across the hotel\u2019s 56 rooms and suites, where cherub artwork adds character to simple yet stylish spaces split across various categories that differ in outlook and scale. Perhaps inevitably, the most sought after are the Castle View rooms. Several are on the ground floor, accessed by a small outdoor terrace where morning coffee comes accompanied by the sound of birdsong and church bells. The top-floor suites also proffer commanding chateau views as well as spacious living areas, while those wishing to push the boat out are in luck \u2013 a striking floating suite in a traditional flat-bottomed Loire Valley vessel is docked on the Cosson river, immediately in front of the chateau\u2019s sweeping entrance.<\/p>\n

The food<\/strong><\/p>\n

With a CV that includes Alain Ducasse\u2019s Parisian outpost Le Meurice and the bouchons of Lyon, chef Marion Carraud has amplified the focus on traditional Gallic gastronomy since her recent arrival. At the refined Le Grand Saint Michel restaurant, which spills out onto the terrace during warmer weather, menus showcase French cuisine through the lens of seasonal local ingredients. Here, expect silky velout\u00e9s, rich terrines and Dauphinoise-accompanied chicken supreme, as well as free rein over a cheese trolley. It\u2019s also here that an excellent breakfast buffet is served, including warm, buttery viennoiserie, fruit compotes and superlative omelettes.<\/p>\n

A laidback second venue, Les Armes du Chateau, occupies a red-shuttered townhouse on the chateau\u2019s main square, where croque monsieurs, p\u00e2t\u00e9 de campagne and Caesar salads are ferried between kitchen and diners on its suntrap terrace. Throughout, the wine list champions local AOPs including Cheverny, Touraine and Pouilly-Fum\u00e9, while the Loire Valley\u2019s fast-rising craft beer scene is also well represented. On the cocktail list, local liqueur Chambord finds form in a Cremant-topped spritz.<\/p>\n

The service<\/strong><\/p>\n

Warm, welcoming and full of local knowledge in the form of history, worthy nearby restaurants and wildlife. The team here are charming and authentic. In the restaurant, staff come armed with deep wine expertise, helping guests get to grips with the best of the region, while small details like remembering guests\u2019 morning coffee orders help make a stay here all the smoother.<\/p>\n

Wellbeing<\/strong><\/p>\n

A subterranean spa houses a smiling, smartly attired team that oversees a rejuvenating roster of treatments, including bespoke massages, facials, and body-cocooning experiences, using Anne Semonin products. Here, there\u2019s a sauna and hammam to soothe post-hike aches, as well as an outdoor hot tub soundtracked by the surging Cosson River. While there\u2019s no gym to speak of, guests instead have access to bikes, buggies and rowing boats, opening up the vast 5,440-hectare Domaine de Chambord via a network of paths and bridleways. Embrace the adventure to spot regular residents including wild boar, osprey and red deer.<\/p>\n

For families<\/strong><\/p>\n

The chateau is said to have inspired Beauty & The Beast\u2019s enchanted castle, so it\u2019s easy to see why kids might love it. Junior suites can house extra beds for up to two children, while the restaurant serves a sophisticated kids\u2019 menu including fish of the day and roast chicken. With children\u2019s bikes and baby seats on offer, the domaine\u2019s riverside and forest trails lead to animal lookouts, and plenty of playful, informative signs bring the surrounding landscapes to life. In the grounds, entertainment comes in the form of daily horse shows and bird of prey displays.<\/p>\n

Sustainability<\/strong><\/p>\n

This is a Green Key-certified hotel, with several initiatives in place that are worth championing. As well as being plastic-free and employing LED lighting throughout the property, its commitment to responsible sourcing is visible throughout menus that list trusted local suppliers. Outside, green spaces are maintained without pesticides and a drip irrigation system that limits water use.<\/p>\n

Accessibility<\/strong><\/p>\n

One deluxe and two superior rooms are set up to accommodate those with disabilities, while the hotel\u2019s facilities all lie in easy reach. Many of the trails within the Chateau de Chambord\u2019s grounds and gardens are flat and wide, while an access ramp provides a route to the ground floor. Narrow passages and flagstone floors mean negotiating its upper floors is likely to be tricky.<\/p>\n

Anything left to mention<\/strong><\/p>\n

For many, Relais de Chambord\u2019s proximity and after-hours access to the iconic chateau and grounds is a strong enough rationale to visit \u2013 reception staff are on hand to organise private tours that include exclusive access to lesser-visited parts. Beyond the chateau, the team can lay on a thrilling classic car journey through the Loire Valley\u2019s vineyards and red-shuttered villages in a range of vintage marques, while hot air balloon trips promise arresting aerial views of the region. Depending on your preferred form of entertainment, eye-catching events throughout the year include Chambord Music Festival (with Black Eyed Peas and Sting among past performers) and the red deer rutting season each August.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Why book To wake up to a privileged perspective of France\u2019s most famous fairytale chateau. This is a…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":81837,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5309],"tags":[2000,299,36,4715],"class_list":{"0":"post-81836","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-france","8":"tag-eu","9":"tag-europe","10":"tag-france","11":"tag-web"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@uk\/114466561983624958","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/81836","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=81836"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/81836\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/81837"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=81836"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=81836"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=81836"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}