Hôtel Le Grand Cerf & SPA
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Hotel Details
Location
Hôtel Le Grand Cerf & SPA · Lyons-la Forêt, France
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Expert Review: Hôtel Le Grand Cerf & SPA
Hôtel Le Grand Cerf & SPA, located in the picturesque village of Lyons-la-Forêt, France, is a Michelin Key Selected property that blends historic charm with modern amenities, offering a serene escape in Normandy.
1. Overall Rating & Sentiment
Hôtel Le Grand Cerf & SPA generally garners very positive feedback, reflecting its status as a Michelin Key Selected property. Review aggregators show good to excellent ratings, with Booking.com indicating an average of 7.8 out of 10 based on 454 experiences, and Weekendesk an "Excellent" 8.7 out of 10. Guests frequently praise its beautiful location, the historic ambiance, and the availability of spa facilities, contributing to a strong positive sentiment.
2. Key Highlights
Guests consistently highlight several standout features:
- Location: The hotel enjoys an "impossibly picturesque" setting within a 17th-century coaching inn on the main square of Lyons-la-Forêt, a village officially designated as one of the Most Beautiful Villages of France.
- Design: The preserved historic details, such as rustic wooden beams, stone staircases, and open fireplaces, are admired. Rooms feature a unique "woodsy, bohemian-chic" design inspired by the surrounding beech forest.
- Amenities: A significant draw is the access to the Nuxe spa at the sister hotel next door (Hotel La Licorne & Spa), which includes a treehouse-style treatment room, an indoor-outdoor pool, hammam, hot tub, and sauna. Free Wi-Fi and free public parking are also appreciated.
- Service: The staff consistently receives commendation for being friendly, helpful, attentive, and courteous.
3. Room Quality
The hotel offers 16 rooms and suites, each with names inspired by trees like Le Cèdre and L'Érable. Rooms are described as clean, comfortable, and well-designed. The decor embraces a "woodsy, bohemian-chic" aesthetic, with some rooms featuring native wood lining, beds handcrafted from reclaimed tree branches, and sloped ceilings with skylights. Cozy plaid flannel duvets and pillows enhance the feeling of staying in a stylish cabin. Guests generally appreciate the comfortable beds and good bathrooms.
4. Dining Experience
Hôtel Le Grand Cerf & SPA boasts three restaurants: Le Bistrot du Grand Cerf, the gourmet La Licorne Royale, and Les Lions de Beauclerc. Le Bistrot du Grand Cerf is known for serving traditional French cuisine using fresh, local produce. Breakfast is typically described as good to splendid, offering fresh food. However, it is important to note that during the low season and on weekdays, breakfast is served at the sister hotel, La Licorne & Spa, and in-room breakfast is not available during these times. While some guests have lauded the restaurant cuisine as refined and flavorful, others have expressed disappointment with the quality of dishes and perceived them as overpriced, especially drinks.
5. Service & Staff
The staff at Hôtel Le Grand Cerf & SPA consistently receives high praise. Guests frequently describe the team as super helpful, friendly, attentive, and courteous. Specific individuals have been noted for providing exceptional service. The hospitality is a key element contributing to a positive guest experience.
6. Location & Accessibility
The hotel's location is a significant asset, situated in the heart of Lyons-la-Forêt, a picturesque village renowned for its beauty. This central position offers easy access to the village's charm and atmosphere. Rouen is approximately 22 to 35 kilometers away. Free public parking is available nearby, making it convenient for guests traveling by car. The reception for both Hôtel Le Grand Cerf and its sister hotel, La Licorne, is centralized at La Licorne, located about 60 meters away from Le Grand Cerf. The surrounding area also offers activities such as fishing and horse riding.
7. Value & Pricing
While the Michelin Guide guarantees the best prices when booking directly, guest opinions on value for money vary, with Booking.com reporting a rating of 7.3 out of 10. Double rooms typically range from around €190 to €380 per night. Breakfast is an additional cost, usually between €19 and €25 per person. Guests should also be aware of potential extra charges, such as a supplement for pets, which can range from €15 to €40 per animal per night, and fees for extra beds or cribs. Some visitors have found certain aspects, particularly restaurant prices, to be a bit high.
8. Common Complaints
Despite the generally positive reviews, some recurring criticisms have been noted:
- Room Size and Amenities: A few guests have mentioned issues with room size or the completeness of amenities.
- Noise Insulation: There have been reports of sound insulation not being optimal, leading to noise from adjacent rooms.
- Breakfast Location: The fact that breakfast is served at the sister hotel during low season and weekdays, and in-room breakfast is unavailable then, has been a point of minor dissatisfaction for some.
- Dining Consistency and Pricing: While some praise the dining, others have found the quality of dishes occasionally disappointing or perceived menu and drink prices as high.
- Off-site Reception: The reception being located at the nearby sister hotel, La Licorne, requires guests to walk a short distance for check-in and other services.
Sources
Points to Consider
- •Despite the generally positive reviews, some recurring criticisms have been noted:
- •Room Size and Amenities: A few guests have mentioned issues with room size or the completeness of amenities.
- •Dining Consistency and Pricing: While some praise the dining, others have found the quality of dishes occasionally disappointing or perceived menu and drink prices as high.
Google Reviews
253 reviews
Recent Guest Reviews
Donal O'Regan
Charming establishment in a beautiful village. Unfortunately not restful : the bedroom mattress was beyond use some years ago, hotels response not very attentive.
Rhys Bevan
We loved the location of this hotel, peaceful and quiet, and the staff were very friendly. The room was comfortable and roomy, but a bit rustic (perfectly comfortable and clean, but don't expect 4 star as this is a 3 star hotel). The bath was fabulous and big but there was no shower for our quick get away the morning we left. The spa was peaceful, we lounged and read our books there, but the pool ...
Response from the owner
Dear Mr Bevan, <br><br>Thank you for sharing your experience about your stay in our hotel.<br><br>We make a note of your remarks and will try to improve our services.<br><br>We hope to see you again i...
James M
In a little village in a beautiful forest, this hotel is part of several establishments owned by the same people. Two hotels and three restaurants make up their offering. I say this because our stay spread across the two hotels and two restaurants! We stayed in rooms at Le Grand Cerf, had breakfast in the Licorne Hotel (100 m away) and ate dinner in a restaurant they called their lounge (200 m awa...
Response from the owner
Dear Guest,<br><br>Thank you for your detailed comment, along the pictures.<br>We take note of your remarks and will do our best to improve our services.<br>We are hoping to welcome you again in Lyon...
Martijn Verschoor
Such a great and comfortable hotel. Centrally located, clean, tidy and quiet at night. Great place to spend a night or two if you are passing the area and want to explore the local area. Spa accomodations also a nice bonus if you're looking to relax and unwind.
Response from the owner
Dear Guest,<br><br>Thank you for your kind comment about our hotels, restaurants and spa.<br>It was a pleasure to welcome you and we hope to see you again.<br><br>Best regards.<br><br>La Réception.<br...
Ian Ferris
Lovely atmospheric hotel in centre of Lyons la Foret, a very picturesque little town. Wonderful Michelin-level dinner in sister hotel next door. Comfortable room, excellent breakfast, friendly staff. Recommended.
Response from the owner
Hello Mr. Ferris,<br>Thank you very much for your feedback.<br>We are delighted that you enjoyed your stay with us and appreciated our hotel and restaurant.<br>We look forward to welcoming you back ag...
JRJ D
Excellent place for dinner - by far the best in the whole village. The entrecôte Normande was one of the best I’ve ever had and my wife had a brilliantly cooked turbot. Very nice friendly staff and strict measures in place for our new way of living....
