Looking for a "stopover hotel" in the Loire valley-a pool would be a great extra. I love the idea of staying one night near a castle to see what I hear is a beautiful sight at night. I'm going to keep asking till I get some input because I was able to find a fantastic hotel in Bologna Italy last year from the great suggestions on this sight! Thanks

Don't mean to seem insulting, but this was pretty quick to find with a simple Yahoo search - - http://search.yahoo.com/search?p=loi...+swimming+pool

http://www.moulinfrancueil.com/mouli...tation_ang.htm

I didn't take much time to see how many others could be found.

Best wishes,

Rex

Rex-Thanks for the site. I have been on many diffrent sites- but I think when you can actually get someone to reccomend a favorite place they stayed or ate- it makes all the diffrence than an impersonal website. That's why this is the first place I come back to everytime we plan a trip!!! Thanks

Try an Hotel Novotel many have pool. We've stayed at Novotel Amboise many years ago and found it was a great spot. Not in the city but near. I dont know how it looks now, but you probably can see photos on the site www.novotel.com
There are also Hotels Sofitel, on www.accor.com you'll have hotels Sofitel, Novotel, Mercure and others

MarieFrance

Thanks MarieFrance- The more I think about it-The pool really isn't a mustmust have- I feel it would be more thrilling to be located near a castle to see it lit up at night and wake up and see the sun rising over it. I'm only looking for a one night stay and then it's on to the gite. So somewhere between Paris (where we pick up the car) and the area of Le Blanc which is the name of the town that we are staying. Thanks for all help

with pools:
Chateau de Saint Paterne in St paterne(east of Alençon)
Chateau des Briottières in Champigné
(near Sablé in Montreuil-Juign&eacute
Chateau de la Vérie in Challens

Maybe someone has stayed in one of these.
Bon Chance

If you want to be near a castle, I'd suggest the town of Blois which is a nice town eith piedestrian area and the castel is in city center. You'll probably found hotel near the castle. Or Amboise wich il a smaller town but very nice too. In these 2 towns there many small hotels.
MarieFrance

Bon Labourer in Chenonceaux has a nice pool and is very nice hotel as well. Food is great and staff very good.

bogey,
We have reservations at the Manoir les Minimes in Amboise for our upcoming Loire valley stay, thanks to a highly favorable rec here from John H. It overlooks the river and the Chateau but doesn't have a pool. It's also featured in the Karen Brown, Johansens and Sawday's Charming Hotels guides and is a member of the Chateau and Country group. The "tradition" double rooms with a/c overlooking the river and chateau on the second floor go for 120 euros per night. It's a non-smoking hotel.

Other contenders WITH pool on our Loire list were the Chateau de Noizay, west of Amboise (doubles, 165), the Domaine de Bidaudieres in Vouvray (twin, 105 with brk),
Chateau de Pray (160) and Le Fleuray near Amboise in Cangey (twin, 82 and garden deluxe with terrace, 120)


Unfortunately Le Choiseul, Domaine de la Tortiniere, Chateau de Rochecotte, Domaine des Hautes de Loire and Les Hautes Roches were far out of our price range.

Hope this helps a bit.

Claire Cottage near Chenenceaux is very charming and has an outdoor pool. The rate for a twin or double is around 50 euros; breakfast is not included. The owners speak English, the rooms are lovely, parking is free, and the location is excellent.

You can book through the logis de France website. I think it is www.logisdeframce.com.

Clair Cottage has a website: www.claircottage.com It is in English; just click on the British flag.

La Roseraie is in Chenonceax, near Chenonceau. They have a pool. See web site www.charmingrosarie.com. Am first staying there in Sept., it is recommended by Fodors and Rick Steves.

Thanks everyone for your input- I have emailed what look to be the best for us-La Roserai-no response and it's been a few days so I just emailed again a couple of hours ago(keeping my fingers crossed) also Bon Laboureur but they are booked(sad face) also I emailed Hostellerie de la Renaudiere has anyone stayed here??? Not to much info. Also Le Fleuray still waiting for response. Please keep the suggestions coming Thanks

bogey,
A little more about Le Fleuray
I was actually sorry not to have chosen it, because their response to my initial inquiry was so prompt, so kind and so inviting. I sense it's an extremely well run country manor house (English owners; Mick Jagger has been a guest), just a lovely, unstuffy, charming property in a quiet location with beautiful views. I first saw it in a "Follow the Reader" rec of the San Francisco Chronicle (very kid friendly, relaxed with warm welcome and brand new heated pool, even a duck pond, sumptuous breakfasts and dinners that can be taken in the garden). The rooms in the barn are said to be just right for families. It appears to be an excellent value. It came highly recommended in so many guides, including Karen Brown, Sawday's, Hunter Rivage and Europe's Wonderful Little Hotels and Inns and the customer reviews at http://digital.france.com were mostly glowing.
I used the digital france site to read reviews of several of the Loire properties on our list.
We wanted to be based in the city of Amboise, otherwise we would have chosen it. and we have other nice country manors on our itinerary. Just thought I'd let you know I was very impressed.

Hi again
We had trouble getting through originally to La Rosarie. I finally called. With a Sam's club calling card it charges 3 minutes for each 1 used so that's about 10 cents a minute. She was wonderful to talk to. Since then we have emailed and it usually does take a couple days. Are you using [email protected]?
Good luck, Mary Ann

Thanks everyone- I am eagerly waiting for some responses from the hotels so I can book one and get off the computer! Of course then I'll be looking for a car and a place to stay in Paris and then ideas for great places to eat. Ok- I'll admit it half the fun is the planning. Thanks

don't forget to try logis de france, and gites de france, and vrbo. I have used all three and have been very happy, and also have found pools!

actually, Sheila has a recent post about how to find rental homes in France. many people have complied by showing the places they have used successfully. there are a ton of websites. click on my name and you will pull that thread up, it is very recent.