3 Best Hotels in Chambord, The Loire Valley

Small enough to feel like a home, stuffed with lovely 18th-century decor, and replete with a beautiful river terrace, this overlooked treasure provides an unforgettable experience in the Loire. Other château-hotels may have pomp, but this has something more precious: authenticité. Once the property of the Marquis de Vaudreuil, first French governor of Louisiana, it was purchased by the current owner’s family in 1779. At the end of a long allée, this "pavillon Mansart" embraces you in a semicircular layout (the collier, or necklace). Ten family descendants study you from gilded Charles-Dix frames in the comely main salon, a confectionery of white rococo moldings, glittering chandeliers, and furniture that Madame Bovary would have loved. The breakfast room is covered with quaint 16th-century Italian frescoes, and each guest room is a bouquet of antiques and comfy furniture.

It would be hard to dream up a more graceful assemblage of setting, buildings, and decor than that at this elegant countryside bed-and-breakfast set in a beautifully refurbished and exquisitely decorated 18th-century château in the golden triangle between Blois, Chambord, and Cheverny. Your gracious hosts have thought of everything, from the inviting interiors—done up in an oh-so-chic mix of antique and contemporary—to the luxury bedding. Guest rooms offer meticulously restored period frescos and floor-to-ceiling windows, with lovely views of the river and giant bathrooms. Because there are only five rooms (as well as a private apartment), guests feel totally at home and are free to roam the grounds and gardens (complete with an Eiffel bridge), swim in the heated pool, play tennis, or fish in the nearby river. There is no restaurant, but the owners are delighted to arrange meals at the château from a local Michelin-starred chef. It's also within biking distance of the major Loire châteaux, but good luck tearing yourself away.

Proximity to the fairy tale Château de Chambord (Disney’s model for Sleeping Beauty’s castle) is this fine hotel’s major bragging point, but it’s far from the only one. The handsome decor, by renowned French architect Jean-Michel Wilmotte, features historic prints (recalling the hotel’s past as the royal kennels) mixed with contemporary artwork and luxe modern furnishings. Rooms and suites overlooking the château and the lovely Cosson River are the top choice but more expensive while those with views of the gardens offer a delightful serenity. In winter, enjoy a crackling fire in the stately lounge or games in the billiards room. In summer, a drink on the restaurant’s sublime terrace with château views is a must. A small spa offers a sauna, a hammam, and two treatment rooms (advance reservations a must), and the estate also has golf carts, biking, footpaths, and boat rides.