baker

Am checking out possible hotels in Blois France to use as a base for car travel in the Loire Valley. Several guide books mention Holiday Inn Garden Court, Mercure Centre and Le Medicis. The first 2 are chain hotels while the third is an older building, a little more unique.

Just wondering if any Fodorites have stayed there or know of it. Rate is 86euros/night.

cigalechanta

We stayed at Le Manoir (sur Dye)

indytravel

I tried to stay there in 2001, but I could never get them to respond to my e-mails. It looked lovely but I never found out.

I liked Blois a lot. Its chateau is more of a real castle rather than a pleasure castle. Lots of history there with the Medici family.

I liked the son-et-lumiere show too. I saw it in French, understood little but was still transfixed with how beautifully the chateau was illuminated.

While there the Magic Museum is interesting. So is the WWII Resistance museum in the lower town.

Avoid the Hotel Renaissance out by the train station. It's where I stayed and one of my least favorite hotels in France to date. Not that bad, just plain, boring and smokey.

mpprh

Hi

I often visit family in the area.

This hotel has a good reputation locally.

There is also a medium price hotel at Chambord. It is part of the chateau estate and has views of the chateau and parkland.

Peter

baker

Peter; thanks for the info; what is the name of the hotel at Cambord?

mpprh

Hi

The hotel is :

Hôtel Du Grand Saint Michel **
tél. 02.54.20.31.31
fax : 02.54.20.36.40
40 chambres

Seems to be a bit backward - they don't have a website or email address.

The restaurant was competent, and value for money at lunchtime in August.

Peter