Les Manoirs des Portes de Deauville

Les Manoirs des Portes de Deauville, a Michelin Key Selected property and member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, offers a charming and tranquil escape in the heart of Normandy. This meticulously restored 16th and 17th-century manor house, once home to playwright Pierre Corneille's sister, seamlessly blends historical authenticity with modern comforts, set amidst six acres of picturesque gardens.

Overall Rating & Sentiment

The general consensus among guests is overwhelmingly positive, with an excellent rating of 4.6/5 based on 1155 reviews. Review platforms like Hotels.com and Expedia show ratings of 9.4/10, while Booking.com rates it 9.0/10. Guests frequently describe the hotel as "gorgeous," "lovely," "dreamlike," and "perfect in all departments." The sentiment highlights a peaceful, charming, and relaxing atmosphere.

Key Highlights

Guests consistently praise several aspects of Les Manoirs des Portes de Deauville:

• Design & Ambiance: The beautifully restored Norman manor house and its nine cottages, with their half-timbering, exposed beams, and period fireplaces, create an authentic and charming historical atmosphere. The design balances rustic elegance with crisp white and pastel tones. Many guests feel like royalty in this special setting.
• Gardens & Grounds: The extensive 2.5-hectare (six-acre) park, planted with trees and flowers, including pear and apple trees, provides a peaceful and bucolic setting. The lovely grounds, wild-grass orchard, and birdsong contribute to a very chilled and relaxing experience.
• Amenities: The hotel offers a heated outdoor pool, a jacuzzi, and a sauna, providing excellent opportunities for relaxation and rejuvenation. Guests also appreciate the free Wi-Fi and electric car charging stations. Some guests enjoyed private spa access.
• Service & Staff: The staff is frequently highlighted as excellent, very friendly, attentive, considerate, and professional, contributing significantly to a pleasant stay.

Room Quality

The hotel features 25 rooms, suites, and private cottages, each tastefully decorated. Rooms and suites, whether in the main manor or the cottages, combine crisp white and pastel tones with original fireplaces and exposed wooden beams. The design is light and bright, featuring cozy throw rugs, velvet armchairs, and antique pieces that add warmth and character. Guests describe the rooms as very comfortable, bright, and clean. They include high-quality bedding, air conditioning (especially in cottages), a minibar, and Nespresso coffee machines. Ground-level suites in the cottages offer direct access to the garden. Private cottages provide extra space, privacy, mezzanines, and fireplaces.

Dining Experience

While there isn't a full-service restaurant for formal meals directly on-site, the hotel offers a quality dining experience through various options:

• Breakfast: Served in The Great Lounge, guests can enjoy a copious breakfast with just-baked pastries, freshly squeezed juices, eggs, local jams, and cheeses. Many guests particularly enjoy eating breakfast in the lovely garden.
• Snacking & Bar: The Great Lounge, also known as the Salon Corneille, serves as a stylish space for drinks at sundown, afternoon snacks, and a snacking service featuring local Norman products. An honesty bar is available around the clock.
• Nearby Restaurant: For more formal dining, the semi-gastronomic "L'Auberge du Vieux Tour" is less than a two-minute walk away, offering refined and authentic Norman cuisine.

Service & Staff

Guest feedback consistently praises the staff. They are described as warm, attentive, professional, friendly, and considerate. Guests have highlighted staff being accommodating even with late check-ins and showing great attention to detail, even for pets. The welcoming nature of the staff significantly enhances the guest experience.

Location & Accessibility

Les Manoirs des Portes de Deauville is ideally located in Canapville, just a short drive (about 10 minutes) from the stylish coastal town of Deauville and Trouville-sur-Mer. It is situated on the road to Pont-l'Évêque, close to charming villages of the Pays d'Auge.

• Attractions: The hotel serves as an ideal gateway to explore Deauville's famous boardwalk (Les Planches), the Le Touques racecourse, Villa Strassburger, and the beaches. Nearby activities also include visiting cheese dairies in Pont-l'Évêque and exploring the Touques marshes.
• Transport: While its location offers tranquility, a car is recommended for exploring the area. The hotel offers free on-site parking and electric car charging points. Deauville - Normandie Airport is approximately 8 km away, and the hotel can arrange a paid airport shuttle service. The Trouville-Deauville SNCF Railway Station is about 3.7 miles (6.4 km) away.

Value & Pricing

Guests generally rate the value for money highly, with an average of 8.6/10. While specific current pricing varies, historical rates for a double room including breakfast ranged from €190.00 to €500.00. The hotel is considered a luxury 4-star property. Its unique charm, historical significance, and array of amenities often justify the cost for guests seeking a serene and elegant experience.

Common Complaints

While overwhelmingly positive, a few minor points of criticism have been noted:

• Limited Dinner Options On-Site: Some guests noted limited food options for dinner directly at the hotel, though the available food was delicious, and the nearby Auberge du Vieux Tour offers formal dining.
• Lack of Certain 5-Star Amenities: One review mentioned that while the hotel possesses immense charm and historical patina, it lacks some purely factual criteria for a 5-star rating, such as a fitness room or magnifying mirrors in bathrooms.
• Need for a Car: While offering a peaceful location, guests generally agree that having a car is necessary to fully explore Deauville and the surrounding Norman attractions.
• Occasional Billing Issues: One guest reported an additional charge mistakenly added to their credit card, emphasizing the need for vigilance with billing.

Sources

1. slh.com
2. hotel-deauville.fr
3. yonder-society.com
4. hilton.com
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7. michelin.com
8. portesdedeauville.com
9. booking.com
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11. seminairesbusiness.com
12. hotels.com
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14. portesdedeauville.com
15. yonder.fr
16. myboutiquehotel.com
17. conferencehotelgroup.com