Hostellerie Cedre

This small hotel on a busy street maintains a charming atmosphere inside and out. Tall trees and pretty flowers screen the beautiful courtyard where guests can have breakfast seated around a trickling fountain. Canopied doorways and a warm glow draw guests inside to a cozy lounge and bar in the lobby. Soft leather chairs, wood paneling and furniture, and a fireplace create a homey environment that still manages to be upscale. Guests are primarily couples, drawn by rooms designed for two and an intimate, romantic atmosphere. The hotel lacks some of the finer features and services of a four-pearl hotel, however. Still, this a great pick for visitors seeking a welcoming environment in the Burgundy region of France.

Hostellerie Le Cedre sits on the busy street circling Beaune’s walled city center in this UNESCO World Heritage region of eastern France. Beaune is a charming town, particularly popular with tourists interested in the wine-making history of the region. The area is highly accessible by bike, which guests can rent from the hotel lobby. From the hotel, it is a two-minute ride -- or a five-minute walk -- to the epicenter of the walled city, where art galleries, museums, and restaurants serving regional cuisine are easy to find. Hotel-Dieu Museum, recognizable by its colorful tiled roof, is a former hospital turned art museum, and is a two-minute ride -- or eight-minute walk -- from the hotel. 

It is a 15-minute walk -- or a six-minute drive -- to Beaune Station, the nearest train station for the TGV (high-speed rail). Dijon is a 40-minute drive from the hotel. Lyon and the Lyon-Saint Exupery Airport are about an hour and 45 minutes away by car. Paris is nearly a four-hour drive -- or a two-and-a-half-hour train ride. Orly Airport in Paris is over a three-hour drive away, and Geneva International Airport is a two-and-a-half-hour drive from the hotel. 

Individually decorated guest rooms are comfortable and attractive, albeit some have a more traditional design that some may find dated. Many rooms have a blue patterned carpet and decor in shades of gray with light blues or purples. Some have a country feel with white or distressed wood furniture, toile upholstered chairs, vases, and quaint framed prints. Most are suited for couples with just a double bed and a sitting area for two, though some are large enough to accommodate an extra person with a spare bed or a sofa. All rooms have flat-screen TVs and minibars, plus some upgraded rooms have kettles. Rooms facing the street are noisier, but soundproofing in all rooms cuts back on the disturbance.

Bathrooms are clean, and some have nice extras like double sinks, rainfall showerheads, heated drying racks, and separate showers and tubs. Others, however, are small and basic, with a tiny shower stall or a shower/tub combo. Hairdryers and robes are provided, and free Nuxe toiletries include soap, shower gel, shampoo, conditioner, and lotion, plus extras like a shower cap and shoe polish. 

This small hotel has limited facilities, but those offered are of a good quality. A breakfast buffet is available -- though not included -- in a quaint breakfast room or on a lovely terrace with a fountain. Dinner is served at a gourmet restaurant, set inside a restored 19th-century mansion that's maintained its historic look. A lovely garden terrace is available in warm weather for al fresco dining. A lounge off the lobby offers a cozy spot to drink from the bar or grab a book from the library. There are also facilities for group events, which can be capped off with a five-course, candlelit dinner in the Burgundy cellars, outfitted with a dance floor and private access. There are no pool or wellness facilities on-site, though spa services can be arranged. Parking is available in an underground garage, for a fee. Wi-Fi is free throughout the building and reception is reliable.