Chateau Saint Martin

When we arrived -after sending a text to say we would be arriving at around 5pm - we waited for at least 10 minutes outside the main entrance to see if anyone (at least Madame Sofie herself...or someone would come out to welcome us .. she knew we were there as the two large dogs made a great noise just by the car door!) ) but after waiting for the "welcome" that didn't arrive we called to say that we were sitting outside not knowing what to do or where to park the car....so we eventually drove through the main entrance and stopped outside at the back of the house (wrong!) we were then asked to leave the car outside to the right of the front door which we duly did. We then waited for another 5-10 Minutes before madam decided to come out to greet us.. At this point we were ready to get back into the car and simply drive away...., but we had a long and tiring 5+ hour non-stop journey from Cognac to get to this venue (which, by the way, looked absolutely wonderful in pictures and indeed on their own website!!) so we and decided to wait ... Impressed with the " welcome" ?? Surely it could only get better? We were shown up to our room.. it had a big bed, in a very sparsely and poorly decorated room with a mish mash of 60's teak furniture ranging from a 1960 Stag type Scandinavian wardrobe, and what seemed to be like an old 1950's style drinks cabinet with a television on top. Tea and coffee making facilities were very poor with a few tea bags in battered little tin, and a few coffee pods. There was nothing remotely French "chateau" about this venue, such a shame as it was crying out for some old cream shabby chic type french furniture and beautiful typical chandeliers, instead some Ikea type tables and chairs in the kitchen/ breakfast room The shower was powerful and nice with plenty of hot water, however the "renovations" of the bathroom were poor and it certainly didn't look to have been done by professional workmen.. Breakfast in the large communal kitchen was ok, with the usual baguette and croissants, and a coffee machine with hard to understand instructions and next to nothing service. Was this venue worthy of the charge at 90 Euros a night ?? No... not at all! The next night we stayed in a chateau very near La Rochelle in Lagord which was just 2 Euros more per night , but 100% better in every way!! There was certainly no comparison.. the bedroom was big and extremely comfortable, with large comfortable bed and good furniture, a fridge and coffee machine and a most beautiful garden and a wonderful large powerful shower also!! BUT! apart from all that.. what was actually much more important was the excellent welcome we received... simple warm and friendly... not too difficult to apply in your service industry. if you can't be bothered to welcome your guests when they arrive .. then you shouldn't be in the hospitality business. Would we come back if ever inter area again .. not a chance ever!

Très bel accueil dans un château plein de charme. Des hôtes souriants et disponibles, une cuisine goûteuse. Même les chiens étaient sympathiques. Cuisine goûteuse pleine de créativité.et la piscine, appréciable après une journée chaude.