Auberge du Paradis

Auberge du Paradis: A Heavenly Retreat in Beaujolais

Auberge du Paradis in Saint-Amour-Bellevue, a Michelin Key Selected property, consistently receives overwhelmingly positive reviews, painting a picture of an exceptional and tranquil escape in the heart of the Beaujolais wine region. Guests frequently describe their stays as "exceptional" and "magical," highlighting a pervasive sense of peace and relaxation.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The general consensus is one of profound satisfaction, with guests consistently awarding high ratings. Terms like "superb," "wonderful," and "paradise" are commonly used to describe the overall experience. The atmosphere is often noted as charming, friendly, and welcoming, making visitors feel at home.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently rave about several aspects of Auberge du Paradis:

• Exceptional Service & Friendly Staff: The hospitality is a recurring highlight, with staff described as incredibly helpful, friendly, and attentive.
• Outstanding Dining: The culinary offerings, from breakfast to gourmet dinners, are a major draw.
• Charming Design & Ambiance: The hotel's decor is praised for being beautifully designed, elegantly decorated, and possessing a unique charm that blends country house aesthetics with urban sophistication.
• Serene Location & Amenities: The beautiful setting amidst vineyards and French countryside, along with amenities like an outdoor swimming pool and a lovely garden, contribute significantly to guest satisfaction.
• Comfortable and Unique Rooms: Guests love the individually decorated, spacious, and well-appointed rooms.

3. Room Quality

The rooms at Auberge du Paradis are celebrated for their comfort, spaciousness, and elegant design. Each of the dozen rooms is individually decorated, often inspired by spices from around the globe, creating a unique ambiance. They feature wooden floors and modern amenities such as flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi. Guests have specifically praised the comfortable bedding and the quietness of the establishment. Some rooms offer private balconies or views of the Mâconnais region.

4. Dining Experience

The dining at Auberge du Paradis is a significant highlight, featuring two distinct restaurant options:

• Lucienne fait des siennes: This is the hotel's Michelin-starred gastronomic restaurant (though one source suggests it may no longer hold a star, it continues to offer technically sophisticated cuisine). Chef Cyril Laugier is known for his bold and masterful use of spices from around the world, creating creative and often spicy dishes to share, such as free-range chicken kebab marinated in ras-el-hanout or lamb gyoza. The ambiance is described as idiosyncratic, bright, and colorful, with eclectic decor.
• Joséphine à Table: This bistro offers a more traditional, "grandmother's cuisine" style, with hearty and flavorful regional dishes like marbled ham, pork pie, pot-au-feu, and chicken with morels. It also functions as a wine bar with an impressive selection of Beaujolais wines.

Breakfast is consistently lauded as "extraordinary," "delicious," and "very good." It includes homemade jams and yogurts, fresh seasonal fruits, freshly cut hams and cheeses, local strawberries, fresh goat cheese, smoked ham and sausage, soft-boiled eggs, and freshly baked bread. It can be enjoyed by the fireplace or in the floral garden.

5. Service & Staff

The service and staff are frequently cited as one of the strongest assets of Auberge du Paradis. Guests describe the team as "superb and helpful," "incredible," "friendly," "welcoming," and "attentive." The owners, Valérie and Cyril Laugier, are particularly noted for their hospitality, creating a relaxed and convivial atmosphere.

6. Location & Accessibility

Auberge du Paradis is situated in Saint-Amour-Bellevue, a charming village in the renowned Beaujolais wine region of Burgundy. It is surrounded by French countryside and vineyards, offering beautiful views. The location is described as an "authentic and very friendly place on the wine route," making it ideal for wine tasting trips in nearby towns like Juliénas. The auberge is also conveniently located about a 20-minute drive from the historical city of Cluny. Free parking is available nearby, and guests can rent bikes to explore the region.

7. Value & Pricing

While specific price ranges can vary, rates for a double room start from approximately €130, and suites from €270. Breakfast is an additional €24. Despite the cost, guests consistently find the hotel to be "well worth it" and offer "exceptional value for money," given the high quality of the rooms, food, and service.

8. Common Complaints

Extensive research into guest reviews for Auberge du Paradis reveals a remarkable scarcity of common complaints or recurring criticisms. The feedback is overwhelmingly positive across various platforms, with guests consistently expressing high satisfaction with all aspects of their stay. This suggests that the hotel maintains a high standard of quality and guest experience, leading to very few, if any, significant recurring issues.

Sources

1. francetoday.com
2. booking.com
3. gaultmillau.com
4. petitfute.co.uk
5. aubergeduparadis.fr