The Best Hotels in the Loire Valley

Mere minutes from the Loire river, this breathtaking château hotel dates back to the 13th century. Each room has sophisticated antique furnishings and marble bathrooms, and some have four-poster beds. Rent a bike from the hotel and explore the beautiful grounds, or venture further afield to Amboise, which is just 3km away. Yet another Michelin-starred restaurant can be found here, with ingredients taken from the hotel’s own vegetable garden.

This stylish, metropolitan hotel is located in the charming city of Tours, just a few minutes walk from the Old Town and stunning Musée des Beaux-Arts. The elegant grand staircase and classy bar contrast with the super-modern, minimalist rooms. A highlight is the indoor heated pool and hot tub, next door to the intimate spa. If you’re lucky enough to be around on the second Thursday of each month, you can enjoy cocktails and live music in the bar, organised by the local jazz music school.

This grand manor-turned-hotel is just a stone’s throw from the Loire river. From its perfectly-manicured gardens and refined yet cosy rooms (featuring exposed beams, fireplaces, and views of the nearby Château Royal d’Amboise) to the French country-style restaurant, this hotel is a study in understated elegance. The breakfast here is a real treat, with freshly baked pastries and baguettes delivered each morning, along with eggs, cheese, apple compote, cake and more.

If you’ve ever wondered what you would get if you took an opulent 19th-century castle and turned it into a luxury hotel, then here is your answer. More than 60 acres (25ha) of lawns, rooms, suites and two-floor flats with French-country decorations, a restaurant with 18th-century woodworking and gilded mouldings, and spa with a Turkish bath and fitness centre. Within walking distance of the town of Montbazon, and a short drive from Tours, this hotel makes for the perfect getaway.