Has anyone recently stayed at Domaine des Bidaudières or Manoir les Minimes? Would you recommend either, or somewhere else? Any additional advice on dining and touring the region appreciated. We will be there end of May for 10th anniversary.

Thank you & Happy New Year!

On Trip Advisor Manoir les Minimes is rated #2 and it really looks nice. I'm not sure if you have checked the comments there but this is the link:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev..._la_Loire.html

The way I understand is that the Chateau d' Amboise is within walking distance of the Manoir les Minimes. Clos Luce is another good sight in Amboise. From Amboise you can take trips to other chateaux.

The other hotel is in Vouvray which I am not familiar with. There seem to be more sights in Amboise than in Vouvray.

Thank you so much for the quick response. I read some of the reviews, and it sounds perfect.

I'm sure I'll have plenty more questions in the next few weeks. This was the easiest part. Now to figure out Paris!

Thanks again.

I don't know the Domaine establishment, but we enjoyed Minimes - very easy to drive in/out of Amboise from there... nicer/bigger room than the ones I usually get (budget!) and you can also walk right into town from there. Very gentle-but-giant dog resides there.

We ate at an Italian/French restaurant called "Le Florentine" that is on the street running just under the chateau walls.

The L.da Vinci museum is great and a not-long slightly uphill walk from the river/chateau area. The Chateau d'Amboise is interesting though not ornate, lovely grounds, and fantastic overlook of Amboise. Looks great from across the river, too.

I think the Manoir de Minimes is my favorite hotel ever. I just loved it. We had room 11, which had a beautiful view of the river and chateau. It was very convenient. The one piece of advice I give is buy breakfast elsewhere. The lady who works the front desk in the evening is very helpful with itinerary and restaurant suggestions.

We stayed outside Chinon at http://www.domainedebeausejour.com/. It is very quite and peacefull.

We also really liked Manoir les Minimes. Our room was extra large and overlooked the front courtyard. It is very easy to drive in/out from to sight see in the area. Just across the bridge on the island in the center of the river is a really nice little bar/cocktail lounge called Le Shaker (if it is still there) - very good drinks, nice bar food, and friendly staff. Hard to find place to park around the bar but in nice weather can just walk across the bridge. Would highly recommend this hotel.

Ditto the recommendation on Manoir les Minimes (and Olga the Briard). As of last May Le Shaker was still there across the bridge--served a wonderful old fashioned. Yes, recommend breakfast elsewhere if you're saving money. If you get a room looking toward the chateau, the bridge is lit beautifully at night.

We also stayed at Manoir les Minimes for three nights (maybe in the same room as Curt?). Absolutely would recommend again. Easy parking, nice walks witihin and around town.

We splurged and took a hot air balloon ride over the Loire with Montgolfier. It would be a treat for your 10th anniversary. In addition, other highlights included visiting Chartres cathedral and the gardens at Villandry.

Hope you have a wonderful time!

I stayed at the Cheateau de Chissay in the Loire Valley, It was awsome, lovely people, best restaurant, and also in town I found an outstanding restaurant.Link below, I loved it!
http://www.chateaudechissay.com/frameuk.htm

We also stayed in Room 11 this past July and agree with all said about the establishment; easy parking for your rental car and easy walk into the center of the town. Skip the breakfast and go into town for something to eat.