Le Cottage De Clairefontaine

“Nice surprises”

Le Cottage is the modest sister establishment of the Domaine de Clairefontaine and, although omitted in the Guide Michelin, offers rooms in addition to an excellent brasserie. First the rooms: there are 12 in total - 9 'simple,' 2 'de-luxe' and 1 apartment - decorated in a modern style with tastefu… more

Le Cottage is the modest sister establishment of the Domaine de Clairefontaine and, although omitted in the Guide Michelin, offers rooms in addition to an excellent brasserie. First the rooms: there are 12 in total - 9 'simple,' 2 'de-luxe' and 1 apartment - decorated in a modern style with tasteful colours and decor. They are well but basically equipped (showers only, no shaving mirror in the bathroom). The brasserie offers a limited menu - however, catering for all tastes (including vegetarian). The set menu offers outstanding value at 30 € and a broad and well selected (French) wine list accompanies the menu. The dining room is bright (with lots of natural light) and pleasingly styled in a modern manner with red, white and black the predominant colours. Outside dining on a broad terrace is offered in summer. There is lots of car parking and the whole is located above the local village on a generous, quiet site with extensive greenery. Surprising since it's only 10 minutes from the busy A7 autoroute. Dogs are welcome, including in the dining room (unlike in the nearby, Michelin-starred Domaine de Clairefontaine). Although the breakfast is very French (a selection of breads and Viennoiseries plus honey and jams), the friendly staff satisfy additional requests (eggs, cheese, charcuterie, freshly squeezed juices etc) both efficiently and with a smile. The nicest surprise, though, was the bill. A quiet, overnight stay in top surroundings for two people plus two dogs with a quality three course dinner (including apéritifs and wine) and breakfast for a total of 350 €. And the dogs enjoyed their walks in the garden and appreciated the abundance of litter bins for depositing their deposits. We shall return. Viatores ed canes Coloniae

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“Uncorked & Cultivated Rhone Wine & Food Tour”

What a relaxed place! And called a cottage! The definition comes from the detail. Don't get fooled and turn up at Domaine de Clairefontaine which is restaurant plus chateaux accommodation 1 km away; and closer to the highway. Drive by and out of Chonas-L'Amballan to the Cottage, essentially a bistr… more

What a relaxed place! And called a cottage! The definition comes from the detail. Don't get fooled and turn up at Domaine de Clairefontaine which is restaurant plus chateaux accommodation 1 km away; and closer to the highway. Drive by and out of Chonas-L'Amballan to the Cottage, essentially a bistro, also with accommodation. We were running late after leaving four days of indulgence in Burgundy; and ate lightly before visiting Guigal nearby in Ampuis. It was very sunny so we sat outside at a large round table, black table cloths keeping us radiated too; first plate being gazpacho. Great iced soup, a Spanish classic; here an equal, local fresh and own variety of tomato topped off the experience. Wine was white Rhone of course- for Aussies, marsanne and friends. Next was risotto, capturing the seasonality of asparagus; it was literally everywhere, including wild foraged examples; grand. It was washed along with recent vintages of Cotes du Rhones; 2015s. The cottage was excellent; great sunny deck, other French chilling over casual lunch; top service; very good place to be as the second tier of chef Philippe Girardon. Good value when I arranged a common menu; though very difficult to convince the restaurant by email from Australia of what was required, and to take my booking. Eventually my hotel called to transfer my inquiry, and email worked (writing in French). Lunch Score 15 The writer is a wine and travel professional; hosting this tour.

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“Exquisite ”

We stopped here while in the road. Sometimes you are lucky when booking a hotel en route. This in some such instance. Located close to the Rhône on a beautiful slope this hotel is really a retreat. The rooms does what they are supposed to and a are clean and laid out pretty well. As a bonus … more

We stopped here while in the road. Sometimes you are lucky when booking a hotel en route. This in some such instance. Located close to the Rhône on a beautiful slope this hotel is really a retreat. The rooms does what they are supposed to and a are clean and laid out pretty well. As a bonus the restaurant serves everything from small a la carte dishes like burgers and such, but also full gourmet menus. There is not much in the way of extras, but for a quick stop this cottage is really worth while.

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“OK food, some nice staff but hideous place”

Not really a cottage but a very modernised country building with the occasional wooden beam but otherwise ultra modern French decor with a lot of grey tiles, orange leather seating, mirrors and grey floors. Like a small conference centre - there seemed to be some sort of small conference there the … more

Not really a cottage but a very modernised country building with the occasional wooden beam but otherwise ultra modern French decor with a lot of grey tiles, orange leather seating, mirrors and grey floors. Like a small conference centre - there seemed to be some sort of small conference there the morning we left. Private secure free parking. Breakfast is 13 Euros a head and is not included. Dinner good without being exceptional and not particularly good value. Wine very reasonably priced. Staff generally nice but not particularly speedy service. Bedroom large but absolutely hideous - lots of grey and orange with a contorted light fitting. Dark grey carpet, grey and white tiles in the bathroom, grey wallpaper. Not cheerful or pleasant at all. Had a very institutional, charmless feel. Noisy air conditioning or similar (maybe kitchen fan?) all night and noisy builders in the morning. So much for peaceful country place. Staff very nice about the noise. Would not recommend or stay again - there are so many other nice places in France. Probably the ugliest place I have ever stayed.

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“Disappointing customer service!”

I dtayed at this Hotel for one night only in early September on my way to the South of France. The hotel was lovely, airconditioned rooms, fantastic location and a great restaurant. My bill was 204€ for the room, dinner and breakfast for two. I enjoyed my stay and decided I woukd probsbly return w… more

I dtayed at this Hotel for one night only in early September on my way to the South of France. The hotel was lovely, airconditioned rooms, fantastic location and a great restaurant. My bill was 204€ for the room, dinner and breakfast for two. I enjoyed my stay and decided I woukd probsbly return when travelling south afain. I realisec the following evening that i had left two kaftans in the barhroom. I emailed and receiveda response two days later, requesting my credit card details before they would post on to a destinatiion in France. I was unhappy about providing my credit card details by email and offered to send the cash upon receipt of the kaftans. After 4 further emails ,I have heard nothing. No response , no kaftans, no acceptable customer care! Lookinf after the customer seems to stop once you have paid your bill. I have also made several phonecalls. Thus has been difficult with the language barrier. M. Bentoit requested my credit card details but has yet to respond to any of my further communications, Just not good enough Le Cottage...it will be interesting to see if you respond to this message!

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