Chateau de Noirieux
Selected
Hotel Details
Location
Chateau de Noirieux · Briollay, France
Explore More Hotels
Key Highlights
- ✓Dining Cost & Options: The gourmet restaurant, while excellent, can be perceived as expensive, with some guests desiring more casual and less pricey dining options, especially for longer stays.
Expert Review: Chateau de Noirieux
Château de Noirieux in Briollay, France, is a highly-regarded hotel selected by the MICHELIN Guide, offering guests an enchanting and luxurious French chateau experience.
1. Overall Rating & Sentiment
The general consensus for Château de Noirieux is overwhelmingly positive, with guests frequently describing it as "wonderful" and "superb." It holds a high rating of 9.1 out of 10 based on numerous reviews, reflecting its status as a delightful and "fairy tale setting." Guests have called the property "absolutely stunning and perfect in every way."
2. Key Highlights
Guests consistently praise the château's beautiful setting, encompassing a vast 9-hectare parkland with lake views and charming farm animals like goats, donkeys, and sheep. The property's character, meticulously manicured grounds, and tranquil atmosphere are frequently highlighted. Other key attractions include the charming and attentive staff, excellent food, and a sense of authentic French charm. The hotel also offers amenities such as an outdoor swimming pool, a tennis court, a lounge bar, and a beautiful veranda. It's often recommended for romantic getaways and those seeking a serene escape.
3. Room Quality
Château de Noirieux features 19 uniquely styled bedrooms and suites, each individually furnished and decorated to blend period charm with modern comfort. Reviewers frequently note the rooms as "fresh, very clean, and comfortable," with large beds and premium bedding. Many rooms offer spacious layouts, some boasting walk-in closets, in-room fireplaces, and large bathrooms with dual sinks. High ceilings (over 5 meters) and views of the gardens or the Loir River add to the ambiance. Modern amenities include minibars, espresso makers, flat-screen televisions (some 90-inch with Netflix), bathrobes, slippers, hair dryers, free high-speed Wi-Fi, safes, and complimentary bottled water. While generally praised for comfort and elegance, some guests have mentioned that certain rooms might benefit from updating, and a few noted the absence of a long mirror, kettle, or in-room phone, with one even mentioning rough bedsheets.
4. Dining Experience
The dining experience at Château de Noirieux is a significant highlight, particularly at its gourmet restaurant, L'Attilio Briollay. Under the direction of Chef Attilio Marrazzo, who trained with Joël Robuchon, the cuisine is described as finely executed, precise, and a blend of market-inspired dishes and haute gastronomy. The menu often changes with the seasons, utilizing fresh produce from the estate's vegetable garden. The restaurant offers two distinct experiences: a Chef's market selection for lunch and some evenings, and a tasting menu for gourmet dinners. Breakfast, often described as lavish, is served in a bright and warm veranda. While dinner receives high praise for its delicious and exquisite food, some guests found the breakfast options limited and relatively expensive. The restaurant is typically closed for dinner on Mondays.
5. Service & Staff
The service and staff at Château de Noirieux consistently receive excellent feedback. Guests describe the team as friendly, charming, helpful, attentive, and superb, contributing significantly to a welcoming atmosphere. The property managers, Anja and Gérard (who is also the chef), are noted for their warmth and hospitality, even accommodating specific requests such as allergies. However, a few reviews have indicated that the property might sometimes be understaffed, leading to slower service in the restaurant.
6. Location & Accessibility
The château enjoys an "excellent location" in Briollay, nestled within a picturesque 9-hectare parkland on the banks of the River Loir. It's approximately 9.3 miles (15 kilometers) north-east of Angers, making it a calm, natural, and peaceful retreat. The location is convenient for exploring Angers and the surrounding Loire Valley, including numerous wineries. It is easily accessible by car, about 20 minutes from the center of Angers, and offers free valet parking with electric vehicle charging points. Train station shuttles are also available on request. Nearby attractions include Château du Plessis Bourré and the Anjou Golf and Country Club.
7. Value & Pricing
While considered a luxury experience, the Château de Noirieux generally scores well for "value for money," with a rating of 8.8. Room prices can vary, with some classic rooms starting around $157-$188 per night, while king rooms can be around $317-$384 per night, excluding taxes and fees. Rooms for double occupancy are also listed starting at 175 euros/night. Many guests feel the authentic French charm and overall experience justify the cost, deeming it "worth the trip." However, some have expressed concerns about the value, particularly regarding the price of the restaurant for dinner and the perceived limited breakfast options.
8. Common Complaints
Despite the overwhelmingly positive feedback, some recurring criticisms include:
- Dining Cost & Options: The gourmet restaurant, while excellent, can be perceived as expensive, with some guests desiring more casual and less pricey dining options, especially for longer stays.
- Breakfast Limitations: A few guests found the breakfast offerings to be limited in choice and relatively expensive.
- Room Amenities: Isolated comments mention the lack of certain amenities in rooms, such as a long mirror, kettle, or phone, and one guest described the bedsheets as a bit rough.
- Staffing & Service Speed: Some reviews noted that the property might be understaffed at times, leading to slow service, particularly in the restaurant.
- Room Maintenance: While generally very clean, a few guests have suggested that certain rooms could benefit from updating. One guest reported issues with heating and flies in the room.
- Accessibility: There is no lift, although staff are available to assist with luggage.
Sources
Points to Consider
- •Despite the overwhelmingly positive feedback, some recurring criticisms include:
- •Room Maintenance: While generally very clean, a few guests have suggested that certain rooms could benefit from updating. One guest reported issues with heating and flies in the room.
Google Reviews
444 reviews
Recent Guest Reviews
Arnold Aarssen
Travel Journal — July Evening at Château de Noirieux Leaving behind the industrial elegance of Bilbao, we journeyed northeast through the shifting landscapes of France, slowly trading the rugged Basque coast for the serene Loire Valley. The air grew softer, the light more golden. By late afternoon, we arrived at Château de Noirieux — nestled quietly near Briollay, like a secret kept by the trees....
Response from the owner
Dear Arnold,<br><br>We are delighted to read your wonderful feedback on your stay at Château de Noirieux. Your words perfectly capture the serenity and elegance of our estate. We are delighted that ou...
Xareni Galindo
We went to the restaurant and it was really nice. The service was amazing and the waiters were friendly and helpful. The only problem was the reservation, it seemed that people were not to very organized as we had to send few emails back and forth to have the reservation finalized. However, no problems after that.
Response from the owner
Hello,<br><br>Thank you very much for your kind comments and your appreciation of our restaurant. We are delighted that the service was up to scratch. We take note of your comments about the reservati...
Sarah Cockcroft
Delightful room, delicious food, great customer service - attentive, helpful, knowledgeable and accommodating
Response from the owner
Dear Madam,<br><br>Thank you very much for your kind words. We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed the comfort of your room, the quality of our cuisine, and the attentiveness of our team. Your appr...
Olivia Melchior
Fantastic chateau, beautiful building and gardens. The rooms are clean and comfortable. There was a lack of service for breakfast ( only 1 person to serve) and at check in ( no help with luggage as there is no lift) I stayed on the top floor and nobody showed up for my bags but they said they will call the staff. Nobody came ! Apart from this, i had a nice stay. Gorgeous chateau for a relaxing ti...
Response from the owner
Dear Miss Melchior,<br><br>We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed the beauty of our castle and gardens, and the comfort of our rooms. We take note of your comment about the breakfast and the lack o...
Mercedes Palau
Amazing place to just chill and relax. The chateau is wonderful, the team is so warm, and the restaurant amazing! It was delicious, and the best part is that they adapted plates in order for them to be gluten free
Response from the owner
Dear Madam,<br><br>Many thanks for your warm comment! We are delighted that you enjoyed your stay and that our kitchen was adapted to your needs. Your satisfaction is our priority. We hope to welcome ...
Kenneth Norton
Extremely poor kitchen, breakfast was a disaster. Firstly an egg's Benedict was deconstructed to a single poached egg with a slice of toast, clearly not an eggs Benedict. Apart from the slow invisible service the real disaster was the ham and cheese omelette, the cheese that was used was a slice of orange American cheese that's usually found on a burger. What chef in France would consider that acc...
Response from the owner
Dear Mr Norton, Thank you for sharing your experience at le Château de Noirieux. We are sorry that the Benedict eggs revisited version of our Chef Attilio Marrazzo did not meet your expectations. I ap...
Accor
Amex FHR
