700km in 10h around Charente Maritime and a disappointing luxury hotel stay
A taste of the Gironde estuary, my alternative B&B suggestions instead of a disappointing luxury hotel in Cognac and as usual, 5 unique accommodations around Europe. #46
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This time last week - I’m writing this on a Sunday morning at 11:30 - we were at my mum’s house in France, enjoying a sunny and 24 degrees warm Easter Sunday. A few days later we were back in London where a cold windy storm reminded us of the main difference between North and South!
Weather is one of the reasons why we are trying to find a house in France 🇫🇷 but it’s also mostly because I long for a base in my native country. For Mr Big it’s about making me happy, being very close to a fresh baguette in the morning, having a true sense of being on holiday and remaining “chic” at all times 😉.
As with previous explorations, we went in search for the region in France that would satisfy all of those desires. This time, we explored a bit of Charente Maritime, particularly the area by the Gironde estuary and the Saintonge, south of Saintes. We drove 10h over a day and a half, accumulated 700km and stopped to view 5 villages or small towns. We certainly are doing our homework!
We visited Talmont-sur-Gironde, one of the most beautiful villages in France. Like many of those villages listed by this organisation, it had charming streets and old houses but felt overly touristy with shops and cafes instead of locals living there. And as you can see, it was windy! 💨
The countryside around it was lovely, with hills, fields, flowers, and small villages featuring white stones. We considered a country house in a hamlet but upon seeing it, it appeared clear that countryside and small hamlets were not for us at this time. We really need something in between: a sense of country charm but also closer to lively areas for a holiday feel.
That evening, we stayed at Hotel Chais Monnet and Spa in Cognac. Not exactly the luxury feel we anticipated. See my review below.
In the morning, we cancelled our planned house visits in Saintonge and returned near Bordeaux, to the Bassin d'Arcachon.
It is definitely a holiday area but is expensive. We checked out nearby places like Audenge for more affordable options that still had the holiday vibe. It is a pretty small town with a cute port. We visited a wooden house there but it seemed overpriced. We ended our day walking along the coastal path.
Conclusion: we haven’t found THE region yet. The search continues and next time we’ll try Ile d’Oléron. It’ll have to be in June as we need to leave the next few weeks free of distraction for Mademoiselle, who is passing her GCSE exams.
New content this week
Hotel Chais Monnet and Spa, Cognac
We needed an easy one night stay during our road trip and the perspective of a pool and a nice diner tempted us. Didn’t really go according to plan… Read more
Should have probably stayed instead as those two B&Bs I had considered
L’Esprit du 8 a cute one with an outdoor pool, although it would have mant drving up to Rochefort.
Maison Groleau, we really liked the look of this one but the diner offering was not available on our date.
Extra finds
Café Brochier - Café Hôtel Restaurant
From 70 Euros - Check latest prices and availability
Valentine and Thomas took over the historic café of Saint Julien, a small village in the Vercors massif and now offers a simple b&B with food from the region. Upstairs, 3 small bedrooms await hikers, who can get a delicious and cheap picnic before going out to the mountains. No pool
Hotel Trematonia, Cornwall
From £500 - Check latest prices and availability
Hotel Trematonia is the property to know about in Cornwall. This project by House of Hackney offers guests an immersive experience set in the house and grounds of the majestic Castle Trematon. Some summers they open it as a hotel and otherwise youo can rent the cabin on AirBnB or the whole castle for a big family event. The bold and flowery interiors are inspired by the rich wallpapers from the House of Hackney team. Guests can explore the local area, take long walks around the castle or enjoy a swim in the hotel’s Indian pool.
ON Residence
From €150 - Check latest prices and availability
In the heart of Thessaloniki, ON Residence was built in 1926. It is a typical example of Thessaloniki’s eclecticism during the interwar period, with elements reminiscent of the Belle Époque and neoclassicism. The hotel has been completely restored and the interior design was done by French decorator Fabienne Spahn. The palette is in grey and blue, the trademark colours of the historic restaurant, while the beloved bistro chairs that once existed here have been redesigned for greater comfort. The 60 bedrooms look a bit corporate but the hotel has a great view of the sea and there is a small outdoor pool.
Castle Elvira, Pugglia
From £255 - Check latest prices and availability
Four years in the making, Castle Elvira is set in a lush 37-acre estate perched on St Elia Ridge, with far-reaching views of the Adriatic. It has 10 suites spread between the castle and the two-bedroomed old gatekeeper’s cottage, two suites in Tower Elvira and two more in The Masseria.
Hôtel des Horlogers, Switzerland
From CHF 390 - Check latest prices and availability
Hotel des Horlogers offers 50 elegant rooms and suites, each with a breathtaking view of the Risoud forest in Switzerland. They meet the highest standards of eco-responsible tourism and have a welcoming and warm decor with raw materials from the region. The restaurant is led by Chef Emmanuel Renaut -awarded three Michelin stars. There is no pool but a wellness area with a spa and treatments.