Au Charme Rabelaisien
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Hotel Details
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Au Charme Rabelaisien · Amboise, France
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Expert Review: Au Charme Rabelaisien
Au Charme Rabelaisien in Amboise, France, stands out as a charming and highly-regarded Michelin Key Selected property, frequently praised for its exceptional service, comfortable accommodations, and prime location in the heart of the Loire Valley. Housed within a beautifully restored 18th-century building, guests consistently report a memorable and relaxing experience.
1. Overall Rating & Sentiment
The general consensus for Au Charme Rabelaisien is overwhelmingly positive, with guests frequently describing it as "excellent," "superb," and a "gem." It boasts high review scores across various platforms, often exceeding 8.9 out of 10, with particularly strong ratings for location, cleanliness, comfort, and staff performance. The hotel has also received accolades such as "Best of the Best" from TripAdvisor in 2020.
2. Key Highlights
Guests consistently highlight the hotel's welcoming atmosphere and personalized service. The heated outdoor swimming pool and serene garden are significant draws, offering a peaceful retreat. The hotel also features a spa area with a hot tub and sauna, and offers massage services for ultimate relaxation. Its central location, combined with tranquil surroundings, is also a major plus. Many appreciate the charming blend of historical architecture with modern comforts.
3. Room Quality
Rooms at Au Charme Rabelaisien are described as spacious, beautifully appointed, and comfortable. They often feature antique furniture, premium bedding, and a warm, refined ambiance. High-standard bathrooms with amenities like jetted bathtubs and separate hydromassage showers are frequently mentioned. Some rooms offer picturesque views of the Château d'Amboise, the hotel's garden, or the Amboise rooftops, with some even including private terraces. Free WiFi is available throughout the property.
4. Dining Experience
While Au Charme Rabelaisien does not feature a full-service restaurant for lunch or dinner, its buffet breakfast receives consistent praise. Guests describe it as delicious, varied, and excellent, often featuring homemade and local dishes. The hotel also has a bar where guests can enjoy a drink, particularly in the garden during pleasant weather. Room service is also available.
5. Service & Staff
The service and staff are frequently cited as one of the hotel's strongest assets. Guests consistently describe the team as incredibly welcoming, helpful, friendly, personable, and highly professional. They are often commended for providing excellent dining recommendations and making reservations, and for going "above and beyond" to ensure a pleasant stay.
6. Location & Accessibility
The hotel boasts an excellent central location in Amboise, a picturesque and historical town in the Loire Valley. It's conveniently situated within easy walking distance of downtown shopping, dining, the majestic Château d'Amboise (a 9-minute walk), and Leonardo da Vinci's former home, Clos Lucé (a 13-minute walk). The Amboise train station is also an easy walk (2 km). Amboise itself serves as an ideal base for exploring the numerous châteaux and vineyards of the Loire Valley. Private parking is available on-site for an additional fee, and secure bicycle storage is also provided.
7. Value & Pricing
While the exact price can vary, rooms typically start from approximately €194 per night. Guests generally feel that the exceptional service, comfortable accommodations, array of amenities (pool, spa), and prime location justify the cost, making it a worthwhile investment for a memorable experience in Amboise. It's important to note that buffet breakfast and private parking incur additional fees.
8. Common Complaints
While overwhelmingly positive, some minor points of feedback have been mentioned. Parking is available, but it comes with an extra cost (€12.00 per night) and spaces can be limited. One guest expressed a wish for the pool to open earlier for exercise. Due to the nature of operating within old buildings, some rooms may have an elongated rectangular shape. There is also a city tax of EUR 2.55 per person, per night, for guests over 18 years old.
Sources
Google Reviews
126 reviews
Recent Guest Reviews
Chana Lynn
We truly loved our stay at Au Charme Rabelaisien in Amboise. The team were so friendly and helpful and we loved chatting with them. Breakfast was delicious and the room we had was gorgeous, comfortable and had a view of the Chateau from the window! It was the perfect location for us to cruise around to some other nearby destinations and an easy walk to some great spots for food and drink at the en...
Nedra Weinstein
If this was a 3 star hotel no issues with the physical environment. Good location. Room was large enough. Fairly quiet but older structure so hear people walking above - breakfast was fine - nothing out of the ordinary but good and filling. The problem here is it’s registered as a 4 star hotel of which it is not. It’s the little things that differentiate the two. For example no shampoo was provid...
Response from the owner
Madam,<br><br>We would like to address some points regarding your comment, which is not entirely accurate:<br><br>- Upon arrival, you wanted a paid, unreserved parking space. After an hour of delibera...
Alex B
Comfortable hotel in the center of town with great service and a pretty garden and swimming pool. Our room was beautiful, very big and quiet even though it faced the street. Very close to restaurants and only a few minutes walk to the chateau.
JD
Charming 18th century post office that was later converted to a residence. The owner than converted into a hotel. The rooms I would expect for a very small village of 13,000 people are just fine. The town is located by many of the local chateau and Vineyards. Off street parking is available for 12 a night through the hotel.
N E
Little pleasant boutique hotel Old furniture but modern bathrooms Very clean and meticulous The lady owner is very friendly, and the rest of the staff overly kind The breakfast area is pleasant, overlooking a little garden
Larry McAllister
Conveniently located in old part of town. Spacious room and bath. Small hotel feels like B&B
