Les Sources de Cheverny

Les Sources de Cheverny, a Two-Keys Michelin property nestled in the picturesque Loir-et-Cher region of France, is widely lauded as an exceptional retreat offering a blend of luxury, nature, and gastronomic delights.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The general consensus for Les Sources de Cheverny is overwhelmingly positive, with guests consistently reporting an exceptional stay. It boasts impressive overall ratings, including 8.9 on Agoda and 19.4 out of 20 on the Michelin Guide and Tablet Hotels, reflecting an "Excellent" sentiment across the board. The hotel is praised for its quiet, relaxed elegance and its ability to serve as a perfect place to retreat and recharge.

2. Key Highlights

Guests particularly love Les Sources de Cheverny for its outstanding facilities and enchanting natural setting. Key highlights include:

• Luxury & Comfort: Guests are immersed in a world of luxury and comfort from the moment they arrive.
• Outstanding Facilities: The property offers an outdoor pool, a Caudalie spa with a hammam and outdoor jacuzzi, a fitness center, yoga and Pilates classes, a tennis court, and complimentary electric bikes for exploring the region.
• Serene Location & Design: The hotel is surrounded by 110 acres of lush forests, vineyards, and gardens, creating a peaceful ambiance. The design seamlessly blends period architectural features with modern furniture and contemporary touches.
• Wine-Themed Experiences: As a "temple to wine," the hotel offers wine tastings, focuses on regional vignerons, and even produces its own wine, La Grand'Vigne white vintage. The Caudalie spa also incorporates vinotherapy treatments, leveraging the healthful power of grapes.
• Impeccable Cleanliness: The hotel receives a perfect score for cleanliness, with meticulous care given to rooms and common areas.

3. Room Quality

The 49 rooms, suites, and cottages at Les Sources de Cheverny are described as luxurious, spacious, and comfortable, offering immaculate design. Accommodations are available in the renovated 18th-century château or modern wooden cabins, providing options for both traditional and nature-immersed experiences. Rooms feature huge beds with deep mattresses and comforting pillows, often blending antique pieces with elegant Scandinavian design. Guests appreciate the attention to detail, from cleverly placed charging ports to the option of having a picnic basket breakfast delivered. Many rooms offer garden or lake views.

4. Dining Experience

Les Sources de Cheverny provides a distinguished culinary journey with two restaurants and a wine bar:

• Le Favori: This fine-dining restaurant, headed by Chef Frédéric Calamels, has been awarded one Michelin star. It offers intricate dishes with placid lake views, championing locally sourced ingredients like courgette from Varennes farms and seared blue lobster.
• L'Auberge: A more relaxed, country-chic restaurant known for its warm ambiance, vaulted ceilings, inviting fireplace, and open-plan kitchen. The menu features comforting yet elegant traditional French country dishes made with local and seasonal ingredients. Vegetarian options are also available and praised.
• Breakfast: The breakfast buffet is highly regarded as "amazing" and "fit for the gods," featuring buttery pastries, fresh bread, and honey from the hotel's own bees.
• Wine Bar: Located in a corner of L'Auberge, the vibrant wine bar allows guests to enjoy local Loire wines or try Haut Lafitte wine from its sister property, Les Sources de Caudalie. Master sommeliers are available to guide tastings.
• Room Service: A limited room service menu is available until 10 pm, with minibars stocked with local treats for later hunger pangs.

5. Service & Staff

The service and staff at Les Sources de Cheverny consistently receive high praise. Guests describe the staff as warm, knowledgeable, pleasant, and fantastic. The sommelier, Paul, was specifically highlighted for his warmth and expertise in regional wines.

6. Location & Accessibility

Located at 23 route de Fougères in Loir-et-Cher, France, Les Sources de Cheverny is ideally situated in the heart of the Loire Valley, surrounded by forests and vineyards. It offers excellent accessibility to the region's famous châteaux. Château de Cheverny is only 2.9 miles away and can be reached by a 10-minute bike ride, with complimentary bikes provided by the hotel. Other notable attractions like Château de Chambord and Château de Chenonceau are also within easy reach. The property offers free on-site parking, making it convenient for guests traveling by car, and is less than a two-hour drive from Paris.

7. Value & Pricing

While considered a luxury property, Les Sources de Cheverny is generally seen as offering good value for an exceptional experience. Room prices typically start from approximately €190 to €243 per night. It's worth noting that breakfast is usually an additional cost, around €30 per adult. Access to the spa facilities (indoor pool, wooden jacuzzi, and hammam) without booking a treatment costs €39 for two hours.

8. Common Complaints

Despite the overwhelmingly positive feedback, a few minor recurring issues or criticisms have been noted:

• Spa Access Cost and Facilities: Some guests found the €39 charge for two hours of spa access (which only includes the pool and hammam) to be expensive. There was also a specific complaint about the hammam being too small (maximum 6 persons) and lacking a handheld shower for hygiene.
• Price/Quality Mismatch (Rare): A very rare negative review mentioned a "mismatch of price/quality" and poor quality for very high prices, though this sentiment is an outlier among the generally excellent reviews.

Sources

1. agoda.com
2. booking.com
3. michelin.com
4. tablethotels.com
5. mrandmrssmith.com
6. expedia.com
7. travelplusstyle.com
8. worldofwanderlust.com
9. sources-hotels.com
10. foodandtravel.com
11. sources-hotels.com
12. mrandmrssmith.com
13. foodieexplorers.co.uk
14. sources-hotels.com
15. bloischambord.com
16. littleweekends.fr
17. virtuoso.com
18. booking.com