Hotel Du Chateau & Spa Gemology

Rooms were great though the showers are very odd, ours had a rain showerhead that filled the whole cubical with water making it Impossible to wash you hair and even wet the floor while I was waiting for the water to get to temperature. Getting in and out for the locked carpark was painful as the security gate often did not open. On the plus side the staff were wonderful and the bar was open late.

We were staying nearby in the citadel and visited the hotel to enjoy an excellent massage! We’d definitely recommend! We did notice, however, their resident cocker spaniel, Pollux, was suffering in the 35C + heat in the lobby / restaurant areas given his thick coat. He was excessively panting and breathing rapidly which are normal signs of over-heating. Perhaps the owner could get him a cooling mat to lie down on in the reception area or encourage him to spend some time in an air conditioned room during the hottest hours.

We came with high expectations and left with mixed feelings. The location is undeniably excellent – just a stone’s throw from the old city walls, making sightseeing wonderfully easy. The staff were always friendly, and the apple juice at breakfast deserves its own five-star review. Unfortunately, it was accompanied by coffee that seemed determined to lower the average. The hotel itself feels like it’s auditioning for two different star ratings at once. From the photos, we expected a luxurious four-star retreat. In reality, parts of it felt like a perfectly respectable three-star hotel that’s waiting patiently for a makeover. Our room appeared to have been designed by someone convinced that the average adult is 5’2”. Everything felt delightfully compact. Once the sofa bed was opened, escaping the room became something of an escape-room challenge. We suspect this was the hotel’s complimentary evening entertainment. The bathroom had a mysterious aroma that never quite introduced itself, while the air conditioning was impressively enthusiastic about letting us know it was working… all night. We’d also imagined a peaceful terrace. Instead, ours seemed to double as a scenic viewing platform for everyone walking through the car park. We became surprisingly familiar with our fellow guests. Breakfast was another small let-down. The selection was fairly limited, with boiled eggs enjoying what appeared to be an exclusive catering contract. If you’re hoping for an omelette, scrambled eggs or poached eggs, you’ll need to bring your imagination. The delicious apple juice almost made up for it. Although everyone we met was pleasant, service throughout the day was more “we’re here if you need us” than “how can we help?”, so the hotel lacked that extra level of attentiveness that makes a stay feel special. None of these things ruined our trip, and the fantastic location is a genuine highlight. But for the price and reputation, we expected something a little more polished and a little less… creatively compact. With a bit of TLC (and perhaps a renegotiation with the boiled egg supplier), this hotel could be every bit as charming as its surroundings.

Amazing location. The beds and pillows are comfortable but the rooms are tiny and our shower didn't drain so it became a bath for your feet and ankles. The resident dog badly needs a bath to help remove the dirty dog odour from the reception. It also needs to be removed from the dining area as it begs for food which is not appropriate. Most staff were friendly accept for one male who was frequently short and aggressive with myself and family.