Domaine Des Lys

“A triumph of form over function ”

The Domaine Des Lys is an imposing hotel and function centre, created in an ancient Chateau. We booked early and got a good deal. The website didn’t let me claim it, but the staff were friendly and helpful and sorted it out. Getting here was easy with GPS, and I also noted signs on the main road… more

The Domaine Des Lys is an imposing hotel and function centre, created in an ancient Chateau. We booked early and got a good deal. The website didn’t let me claim it, but the staff were friendly and helpful and sorted it out. Getting here was easy with GPS, and I also noted signs on the main road. Checkin also was easy, and we were assigned Room 6. The first thing we noticed was the alarmingly modern bed. It’s got a wooden surround, and no bed head. This means that you inevitably knock your shins in the middle of the night when you stagger off to the bathroom, while your pillows fall off the end next to the stone wall. Helpfully, it creaks alarmingly whenever you roll over during the night, so there’s no danger of hurting yourself while sleepwalking. The mattress is very comfortable, and there are two pillows each, unlike some places we’ve stayed. The bathroom is also alarmingly modern. Very clean and shiny with a magnificent tub. It was so impressive that, if I hadn’t wanted to wake up after a long drive, I probably wouldn’t have noticed the lack of a shower until the next morning. To be fair, there is a shower head built in to the tub. But if you have long hair, or want to scrub with two hands, there’s an issue, because there’s no way to fix it to the wall. This results in exuberant plumes of water spraying all round the room unless you’re very careful. Which I’m usually not first thing in the morning. There are rooms with showers. One of the two is room 20, which I’ll ask for next time. The breakfast was high quality, but standard fare for European restaurants. The whole hotel is very nice, but let down by the details. There are days when I wish that the people who fit out these rooms had to sleep in them. This is one of those days.

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“Lovely relaxing experience”

Very comfortable room with good facilities and a jacuzzi bath with jets in the bottom. The rooms are in the stable yard and not in the chateau in some of the pictures. You have to walk across the courtyard to reception and the restaurant. Some interesting statues and umbrellas provided if wet. Rece… more

Very comfortable room with good facilities and a jacuzzi bath with jets in the bottom. The rooms are in the stable yard and not in the chateau in some of the pictures. You have to walk across the courtyard to reception and the restaurant. Some interesting statues and umbrellas provided if wet. Reception staff friendly and helpful. Excellent restaurant with interesting choices. Good wine list and not too expensive. Good choice at breakfast too and attentive staff. Out in the country but easy drive into Ancenis and station; train takes 20 mins to Nantes so easy for a day trip.

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