Chateau d’Artigny

Nestled among acres of impeccably landscaped grounds, the upscale Château d’Artigny wows at first sight. As the wooded area leading up to the property gives way to the stunning French gardens with perfectly tended lawns, small pink flowers, ornate fountains, and manicured bushes, the imposing early 20th century building emerges to dominate the gorgeous landscape. Built in 1912-29 as the private residence of perfume tycoon François Coty, and turned into a hotel in 1961, the property has managed to retain its original atmosphere. Antiques and period-style furniture, marble finishes, rich fabrics, and vaulted ceilings with moldings and golden rims give interiors a stately feel. 

The lobby is set in a long hall lined with huge windows, red armchairs, ornate golden lamps, classic paintings, and black wooden display cabinets with jewels. Stone vaulted ceilings and a black front desk with golden accents make the space elegant and grand. A winding white marble staircase covered with a royal blue carpet leads to the second floor, decorated with a classic tapestry and a glass-and-gold lamp that hangs to the first floor. 

This classic style continues in the rest of the common spaces, including the restaurant, the meeting rooms, and the bar, which features pastel-colored walls with moldings and golden accents, armchairs and couches with blue and gold upholstery around a stone fireplace, and large windows overlooking the beautiful grounds. Some elements are starting to show some wear and tear (including carpets and some pieces of furniture), but the overall feel is grand and exclusive. For the best rooms in terms of decor and views, guests may want to request a unit within the château, as there are two smaller structures a short walk from the main building that aren’t as appealing. This property has amenities that attract a wide range of guests including leisure travelers (with a spa and pool), families (kids are catered for with special menus and games), and business travelers (there are a variety of meeting spaces on-site).

This château is located right outside the small town of Montbazon, home to a handful of restaurants and an 11th century fortress. While there isn’t much within walking distance, the property is adjacent to the A10 highway and the D17 road, which offers easy driving access to the historic town of Tours and to most of the region’s famous castles, including Château d’Ussé, Villandry, and Chenonceau. Paris is a two-and-a-half-hour drive away.

This hotel has 56 rooms spread out in three different buildings. Most are in the main structure, and guests looking to have a real château experience may want to request a room here. These units are well maintained and elegantly decorated with classic details such as patterned wallpaper, embroidered comforters, ornate golden lamps, and period-style furniture. While this may not be everybody’s cup of tea, it is charming overall and in line with the ornate style of the property. Rooms in the other two buildings (Arianne Pavilion and the Cité des Parfums) are less luxurious, with decor that can feel more dated than classic, carpets that need replacing, and bathrooms that could use an update. Amenities found in all rooms types, regardless of their location, include free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, minibars, and wall-mounted hairdryers. Suites offer a serious amount of space and a soaking tub in the bathroom. 

L’Origan Restaurant serves French cuisine in a sophisticated dining room with pastel green walls with golden rims, large arched windows, fluted columns with Corinthian capitals, and a fuchsia flower-printed carpet. The menu offers a selection of traditional French specialties, such as chateaubriand, foie gras, and hare, but it gets mixed reviews. The adjacent bar has a similar style, with wall moldings, golden accents, and a blue and gold color scheme, and offers a wide selection of drinks. Located in a separate pavilion, the spa feels a world away from the rest of the property with its laminate floors, porthole windows, and contemporary white furniture. It features treatment rooms, an indoor jetted pool, a Turkish bath, a sauna, and a relaxation room. Treatments for two are available, and there is a small fitness room with cardio and strength-training equipment. The hotel also offers two tennis courts, a small outdoor pool (although it is a little underwhelming), four meeting rooms, and activities such as wine tastings and cooking classes several times a year. Free Wi-Fi and free outdoor parking are also available. Kids under 12 stay free when sharing a room with their parents, and the restaurant has a children’s menu as well as high chairs. Games are also available for kids.