Has anyone stayed here? What did you think? How far is it from Toulouse? <BR>Any input on the difference between a standard and moderate room and other classes and whether the more expensive rooms are worth it?

Jane, <BR> <BR>Are you perhaps asking about Chateau de Mercuès? I have salivated over the pictures of that place for a few years now, but have not managed it to get there. <BR> <BR>A guy named Mike provided some up-to-date (mixed) information on a recent thread ("where to stay in provence and dordogne"), which I am topping for you, simultaneous to this thread. <BR> <BR>Best wishes, <BR> <BR>Rex <BR> <BR>Postscript: If this forum had an easier way to locate and direct readers to a specific (previous) posting by a unique identifier (timestamp), it would not be necessary to top (and repeat) information so tediously. This is my new crusade, and I am thinking about adding this postscript (when applicable) to every new reply I make here. If you agree with me, then please write to Danny Mangin or David Downing - - [email protected] - - and encourage them to move forward with this improvement (and any others they have up their sleeves) to this best-on-the-web travel forum! <BR>

If you are talking about the Château de Mercuès near Cahors, do not hesitate another second. It is one of my favorite hotels in all France. Décor, ambiance, service, restaurant are all outstanding. I've always stayed in a standard room, but I've seen the more luxurious ones, and friends have stayed in them, and they are probably worth the extra cost if you're looking to splurge a bit. Driving time to Toulouse depends very much on what the work crews have been up to lately on the new stretch of autoroute, but allow 2 hours and you'll get there in less. And should you venture into lovely Cahors, be sure to dine at the Hôtel Terminus - ignore the name; the place is outstanding.

<BR>Not to mention the olympic size swmming pool.

Unllike the other responses here, a word of caution. We stayed there a couple years ago and were very disappointed. The hotel was full of tour buses, the restaurant was closed, and the room we had--a large one near the main dining room--was in severe need of a paint job. My biggest Relais & Chateaux disappointment. I would never stay there again.

I stayed several years ago, in an old cloister. Grandeur was a little faded then, although it was nice. I went from there to Les Loges de L'Aubergade in Puymirol. For me, absolutely no comparison at all, Les Loges wins by a country mile. <BR> <BR>Note that Michel Trama was possibly the hottest chef in France when the hotel opened. His star has dimmed somewhat - he has slipped from 19.5/20 to 17/20 in Gault Millau in the last fifteen years or so. Nevertheless, I have eaten at several two and three star restaurants, and this was the seminal culinary experience of my life. I have always had my doubts about truffles, but his Lobster Lasagne proved that they can really do extraordinary things to a dish. I therefore have to remain loyal. <BR> <BR>Mercues is traditionally furnished, and has a fantastic location. Despite being in a 12th C palace, Les Loges is absolutely 20th century - inconvenient windows are bricked up, floors appear to be concrete and dead level, and I don't remember seeing an antique in the place. <BR> <BR>BTW, Michel Trama went to University in Washington - read Philosophy, I think. Is that where xxxx.edu is?

Forgot a couple of things - Mercues has bigger rooms, and is a MUCH bigger hotel. Had a look at a suite - quite a lot bigger than a standard room.