Chateau de Bagnols
Dating from the 13th century, this five-star property is one of France's finest château-hotels, set amongst vineyards, forests and green hills in the heart of the Beaujolais countryside.
The 21 bed rooms, including 13 suites, are all named after those who have contributed to the Château de Bagnols' past, and the décor conjures up images of a 17th Century chateau. Landscape panels, friezes and bold ceiling arabesques compliment the large four poster beds, yet mod cons such as complimentary Wi-Fi keep up with modern times.
The Michelin starred restaurant, housed in a magnificent dining room with a beamed ceiling and a massive Gothic fireplace, uses the finest local ingredients to create seasonal dishes and regional specialties, and there is, of course, an extremely well stocked cellar to sample.
The beautiful gardens contain a Roman style circular swimming pool, an orchard of cherry trees and a wide terrace with scenic views across the valley, where guests can have their summer meals under the shade of lime trees.
Guests can explore the local village and enjoy walking, cycling or horse riding through the un spoilt countryside surrounding the Château de Bagnols, or a variety of massages and beauty treatments at the small spa. For wine enthusiasts there is a good Beaujolais wine trail taking in a number of the best local vineyards, and the many attractions of Lyon are just half an hour away. There is also a lovely winery at the hotel.
Why We Love It
Surrounded by a dry moat, with entrance via a drawbridge, the Château de Bagnols' sturdy walls and towers are built of the local honey-coloured stone known as pierres dorées.
Cour des Loges
La Cour des Loges is a stylish property located on an attractive, pedestrian-only street in the heart of Vieux Lyon.
The hotel has been converted from four adjoining buildings, the earliest of which dates from the 14th century, and the surrounding neighbourhood, which contains the largest concentration of Renaissance architecture in Europe, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
There are 60 bed rooms and suites, set around a stunning internal courtyard with multi-tiered arcades. Each room is different, and decorated with a subtle blend of the old and the new.
Les Loges restaurant, set in a charming Florentine courtyard, is the deserved recipient of a Michelin star. Facilities include a small indoor swimming pool, a sauna, a rooftop terraced garden and a bar.
Why We Love It
Lyon is the gastronomic capital of France, so there are plenty of superb restaurants to choose from, or the hotel's own 'Les Loges' restaurant serves excellent, unpretentious cuisine.