CHÂTEAU D'ÉTOGES - RESTAURANT DE L'ORANGERIE

Amazing hotel, lovely staff and fantastic restaurants.

Un accueil glacial , une réception qui met votre parole en doute, chambre très chaude, à 500€ la nuit on fournit un petit ventilateur,
Pré paiement pour une réservation au restaurant !!!! Alors que nous séjournons à l hôtel
Aucun intérêt , à fuir

Prachtig kasteel. Heel rustig. Personeel is goed opgeleid en vriendelijk. De bedden van kamer Rosé zijn wel hard. Het ontbijt is lekker en veel keuze. Aan het kasteel is een geweldige restaurant. Heel lekker 2 menu’s en ook a la carte. Ik vind alleen dat de porties wat warmer mochten. De prijs per nacht vind ik wat hoog.

Not Worth It

We recently stayed at a chateau in France, and unfortunately, the experience did not meet our expectations—especially considering the rate of €560 per night. While the property itself is beautiful and the dining staff were friendly, several critical issues made our stay disappointing.

Unwelcoming Reception Staff
From the moment we arrived, the attitude of the reception staff was unfriendly, if not outright arrogant. We were neither warmly welcomed nor treated with the courtesy expected at a four-star establishment. For example, after a rain shower, we wanted to sit outside but found the chairs were still wet. When we asked for cushions or something to dry them off, the male receptionist simply suggested we sit elsewhere rather than assist. When we insisted on using the other terrace, he reluctantly gave us two towels, but with a very unfriendly facial expression. For a place that charges such high rates, this lack of helpfulness and courtesy was unacceptable.

Poor Safety and Fire Alarm Response
At 6 a.m., a fire alarm went off. Our room was on the top floor, so we got dressed and left the room, as did our neighbors. Once outside, we were surprised to find no staff present, no one coordinating an evacuation, and no communication whatsoever. Some guests stood around looking confused, while others stayed in their rooms. Hours later, during checkout, the reception made no mention of the incident—no apology, no explanation. This is particularly concerning in a historic 17th-century building, where clear evacuation procedures and responsible staff are essential. The lack of response showed a serious disregard for guest safety and basic service standards.

Locked Doors and Poor Communication
Another issue arose later that evening when, at midnight, the garden illumination was shut off and the main reception door was locked with a key. No instructions were given in advance, and for a while, we feared we couldn’t get back into the building. Eventually, we discovered another entrance that was left open—but no one had informed us about it. The same receptionist saw us sitting outside as he left for the night but made no effort to explain anything. Once again, this demonstrated a lack of basic communication and concern for guest comfort and security.

Aesthetic vs. Reality
Although the chateau is indeed a beautiful structure, the grounds were not as well-maintained as shown in the pictures. The garden near the fountains was overgrown, and only a narrow path was cut through the grass—making the area feel neglected and less usable.

Positives
The room was clean, and we appreciated the friendly service at breakfast and dinner. These, however, were not enough to outweigh the negative aspects of our stay.

Conclusion
In summary, this property does not provide the level of service, safety, or hospitality that one would expect—let alone at this price point. For these reasons, I would not return and cannot recommend it to others. Sadly, it is simply not worth it.

We spent a few days in a real castle with rich history and magnificent decor. The level of service was exceptional — the staff were incredibly kind, attentive, and professional. The piano adds a special charm to the whole experience. Walking through the garden was a pleasure in itself. And the dinners at their gastronomic restaurant were truly exquisite.
We’ll definitely come back.