Hotel review: Grand Barrail Château Hotel & Spa, Dordogne, France
Grand Barrail Château Hotel & Spa review
AOL Travel reviews Grand Barrail Château Hotel & Spa, a majestic hotel for wine lovers surrounded by vineyards in Dordogne, France
Written by: Ruth Doherty
Grand Barrail Château Hotel & Spa
Date published: 07/18/2012
5 / 5 stars
slh.com
First impressions
Driving through the vineyards surrounding the medieval city of Saint Emilion provides a buzz of excitement for any wine-lover; it's the perfect build-up to the arrival at the Grand Barrail Chateau Hotel & Spa - a majestic 19th Century building sitting proudly amidst the grapes. We arrived at night, and the lights illuminating the fairytale turrets and winding driveway made it even more magical.
What's to love?
The grand decor, the luxurious spa, the stunning vineyard vistas over three hectares of manicured grounds, the delectable food and, of course, the lip-smacking wine.
slh.com
Best room in the house
The hotel has 46 rooms that come in four levels of standard: Superior, Deluxe, Executive and Suite. All are decorated with classic French furniture, with a warm, modern twist. The rooms are spread across four properties (Château, La Residence, La Maison du Bien-Etre and La Maison du Vignoble), which all offer high-class interiors. Even if you opt for the most basic room here, you're bound to be impressed.
Where to eat
The restaurant packs a real wow punch, and is the most opulent area of the hotel. There are three separate dining areas to choose from: the Baroque-inspired Salon Mauresque, which features stained-glass windows, red marble pillars, gilding and oriental-style paintings; the more intimate Salle Ronde, which boasts dazzling chandeliers; or the terrace overlooking the gardens and the pool.
slh.com
This place is perfect if you...
Are interested in the idyllic combination of soul-soothing scenery and mouth-watering wine.
Top tip?
Don't miss a visit to the delightful local town of Saint Emilion, a Unesco World Heritage site, where you'll find wonderful cafes and restaurants, as well as fabulous Romanesque churches, dotted along its pretty cobbled streets. And, of course, while you're in the area, it would be rather rude not to go on a wine-tasting tour at one or two of the many surrounding chateaux. Hic! Visit saint-emilion-tourisme.com for more information.
Price
Small Luxury Hotels of the World (00 800 525 48000; slh.com) is offering a one-night stay at Grand Barrail Château Hotel & Spa from £178 (per room per night based on two sharing).
Details
Grand Barrail Chateau Hotel & Spa, Route de Libourne D243, 33 330, Saint Emilion.
