Les Garennes - Hôtel Spa Bénodet
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Les Garennes - Hôtel Spa Bénodet · Benodet, France
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Expert Review: Les Garennes - Hôtel Spa Bénodet
Les Garennes - Hôtel Spa Bénodet, a Michelin Key Selected property in Benodet, France, offers guests a luxurious and tranquil escape amidst stunning natural beauty. The hotel is housed in a beautifully renovated 19th-century château, blending historical charm with modern comforts and an emphasis on well-being.
1. Overall Rating & Sentiment
The general consensus for Les Garennes - Hôtel Spa Bénodet is overwhelmingly positive, with guests frequently describing it as a "superb" and "luxurious break". On Booking.com, it boasts an impressive "Superb" rating of 9.1 out of 10 based on over 160 reviews. The Michelin Guide has also selected it, indicating a high-quality establishment. Guests consistently praise its peaceful atmosphere, beautiful grounds, and excellent spa facilities.
2. Key Highlights
Guests consistently laud several aspects of Les Garennes:
- Location & Design: The hotel is set within a magnificent 55-hectare English-style park, 22 hectares of which are wooded and classified as a Remarkable Garden. This provides a superb, peaceful, and tranquil setting with lovely views, creating an intimate atmosphere. The neoclassical château, completely renovated in 2020, blends period stone, wood, and soft colors to offer elegance and serenity.
- Amenities: The "wonderful pool and spa" are a major draw. The spa, uniquely located in the château's former 19th-century stables, features indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a hot tub, sauna, and hammam, offering a complete wellness experience. Other highly appreciated amenities include free bike hire, electric vehicle charging stations, free WiFi, and free private parking.
- Service: While minor inconsistencies were noted, the staff are generally described as friendly, helpful, natural, competent, and adorable. Many guests highlight the charming and super friendly staff as a key part of their positive experience.
3. Room Quality
Les Garennes offers 15 rooms, described as tastefully decorated and combining charm and modernity. They feature period stone, wood, and soft colors, with options overlooking the port of Bénodet or the wooded park, some with sea views. Guests appreciate the high-comfort bedding, flat-screen TVs, safes, and complimentary bathrobes and slippers. While some reviews mention rooms (especially bathrooms) being "quite small," others refer to the rooms as spacious, peaceful, and light-filled, featuring parquet floors, exposed brick walls, and large windows. Soundproofing is also noted.
4. Dining Experience
The hotel offers a "high quality" breakfast, available as a buffet or continental option. It includes a selection of sweet and savory dishes, Breton specialties, scrambled eggs, granola, fruit juices, and gluten-free options. However, some guests found the breakfast "absurdly expensive for what they offer." It's important to note that the hotel does not appear to have a full-service restaurant for lunch or dinner, with one review explicitly stating, "There's no restaurant." Guests are advised that they may need to travel a short distance for other meals. Some minor complaints arose regarding the availability of milk/cream for in-room coffee and the hotel's policy on using the coffee machine outside of breakfast hours, which some found "pointlessly petty."
5. Service & Staff
The staff at Les Garennes generally receive high praise for their hospitality. Guests describe them as "very charming," "super friendly," "lovely," "helpful," and "natural." The team is noted for their passion and expertise, ensuring a unique and relaxing experience. However, isolated instances of inconsistent service during breakfast and a lack of apology regarding faulty bike hire were mentioned by one guest. The reception staff can assist guests in English, Spanish, and French.
6. Location & Accessibility
Les Garennes is situated in Bénodet, between Bénodet and Sainte-Marine, on the banks of the Odet river. This location provides a peaceful and calm environment, yet it's just a short distance from the facilities of Benodet. The extensive grounds feature 5 kilometers of trails, ideal for walks. The hotel serves as an excellent base for exploring the Cornouaille region, including the Glénan archipelago, cycling along Bénodet's corniche, or surfing at La Torche. While tranquil, one guest noted that the hotel is "quite far from everything" and that reaching nearby restaurants might require a slightly long walk or a quick bike or car ride. Quimper Train Station is approximately 9.4 miles (15 km) away. The availability of free bike hire and electric vehicle charging enhances accessibility.
7. Value & Pricing
The "Value for money" at Les Garennes is generally rated well, with a score of 8.6 out of 10 on Booking.com. As a 4-star property and a Michelin Key Selected hotel, it caters to a higher-end clientele seeking a "luxurious break." Room prices reportedly start from around 130€ per night, though this can vary significantly based on dates and availability. While many consider the overall experience worth the cost, some guests have found the breakfast to be "absurdly expensive."
8. Common Complaints
While overall reviews are highly positive, a few recurring issues or criticisms have been noted:
- Breakfast Cost: The price of breakfast was deemed "absurdly expensive" by at least one guest.
- Room Size: Despite some descriptions of spacious rooms, a few guests found the rooms, and particularly the bathrooms, to be "quite small."
- Minor Service Inconsistencies: Some guests reported inconsistent service during breakfast, such as varying offers for fried eggs.
- "Petty" Policies: A recurring complaint involved the hotel's policy on using the in-room tea/coffee machine only during breakfast hours, and the lack of milk/cream or a fridge to keep such items cool in the rooms.
- No On-site Restaurant: The absence of a dedicated restaurant for lunch and dinner means guests need to venture out for meals beyond breakfast.
- Distance to Amenities: The hotel's tranquil setting means it can be "quite far from everything," potentially requiring a bike or car to reach restaurants and other facilities.
Sources
Points to Consider
- •While overall reviews are highly positive, a few recurring issues or criticisms have been noted:
Google Reviews
397 reviews
Recent Guest Reviews
thejewells
We spent 5 nights at Les Garennes and enjoyed an excellent stay. Our double room was comfortable and well equipped, with a thoroughly modern, spacious bathroom. The public areas of the property are luxuriously appointed and throughout there are lovely views of the park and down to Benodet harbour. Breakfast was excellent quality and the staff were both professional and very friendly at all times. ...
Response from the owner
Dear customer,<br>What a pleasure to read your kind review! We are touched and thank you warmly.<br><br>See you soon,<br>The Garennes Team
Steven Breton
Rooms wear a little hot. Would have loved to sleep with an opened window without mosquitos. That is the only downside of the place.
Response from the owner
Dear Steven,<br>Thank you so much for your kind review! We appreciate your recommendation.<br>We look forward to welcoming you back again.<br><br>The Garennes Team
Nigel John Edwards
This is a superb hotel which is beautifully maintained. Everywhere is immaculate, the lovely staff so welcoming and helpful. A wonderful breakfast and our bedroom light and roomy with a great view down to the estuary over the stripped lawns and perfectly heated pool and jacuzzi.
Response from the owner
Dear Nigel John Edwards,<br>We are truly touched by your kind review and delighted to read that your stay met your expectations.<br><br>See you soon,<br>The Garennes Team
Hendra Wijaya
Magnificent stay at the Chateau Les Garennes. Visited in September and enjoyed the pool and gardens. Hosts were incredibly friendly and offered exceptional service. Rooms were also furnished very well and beds very comfortable. Breakfast was extra but offered continental buffet with freshly squeezed orange juice. Highly recommend this place if you’re in the area!
Response from the owner
Hello Hendra,<br>Thank you so much for this wonderful review.<br>We are delighted that you had a pleasant stay with us.<br>We look forward to welcoming you back to Les Garennes!
Andy Horrell
What a beautiful place to stay and what fantastic staff. They were so helpful and kind and made us feel so comfortable. We will definitely return next spring as we love benodet and especially les garennes.
Response from the owner
Your satisfaction is our priority, and we take your feedback very seriously. We are delighted that your stay met your expectations and hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you back to Château les Ga...
WesBex Bray Rankin
What a wonderful jewel! A quick hop to Quimper or the port town of Bénodet, Les Garennes is a zen country manor with a long driveway and a glimpse of the sea from the pool and living/dining room. Everything from sheets to breakfast is luxurious. The gardien and the castle dog are the true highlights of this local spa; his morning eggs are the best! While our original welcome was a little rushed an...
Response from the owner
Hello,<br>Thank you so much for this wonderful review.<br>We are delighted that you had a pleasant stay with us. We look forward to welcoming you back to Les Garennes!
