We've decided on Chateau de Pray in Amboise for the Loire part of our trip. Has anyone eaten there? Should we reserve a table there for our first night? (We'll be there 3 days)
annieladd

Château-hotels usually save tables for their guests, but it wouldn't hurt to inquire. Eating there on your first night would save going out all over again.

We had considered it - but ended up staying near Chinon. But when we were in Amboise we did go look at it - seems beautiful - but you do know it's not IN Amboise don;t you - just nearby?

We did dinner in our chateau one night (for guests only) and it was a great adventure - as wellll as an excellent meal - with much of it - and the wine - coming from family porerties. It began with aperitifs in the antique-filed family drawing room followed by a family style dinner with guests from several countries trying to manage in a mixture of mangled english and French and Mme a most charming hostess.

Thanks Underhill, when reserving the rooms, she asked if they should save a table for us, but I was unsure of how well-regarded their dining room is.

But, you're probably right, it will save going out all over again, so I think we will go ahead and eat there.

Thanks, annieladd

NY Traveler, thanks, do you think it's a problem to not be "in" Amboise? Maybe I should reconsider? Is Chateau des Ormeaux more centrally located?

I don;t think not being in Amboise is a problem at all as long as you have a car. Very few of the chateaux-hotels are in towns - and I think they're more charming in the countryside.