Maison Ailleurs

We booked Maison Ailleurs at the end of last year, having read the excellent reviews on this site, but must agree with recent reviewers who have noticed that all is not well at the property. Even before our stay we were frustrated by the lack of communication. Most things were dealt with by automated, non-reply messages and when we used the contact email for the non-resident host it went unanswered. During our stay we hardly saw another human being and we began to feel a bit vulnerable. Unfortunately the breakfast boxes which were well reviewed had been discontinued before our arrival and this meant there was even less need for the host to be around. It dawned on us that we hadn’t even been given a telephone number for the host so we’d have been in desperate trouble if there had been an emergency. To make matters worse, the lock on the courtyard gate started to play up on our last night (even though we’d been told on arrival that the courtyard gates would always be left open). We were genuinely concerned about getting back into the property after dinner. We’re pretty seasoned, independent travellers, but it’s hard to relax and enjoy yourself with these worries in the back of your mind. Maison Ailleurs needs to review the way they operate with particular regard to guest safety and security. Their once super service has been delegated to automation. Book with caution.

We stayed for three nights arriving from the US to Paris. We thought we had found the perfect place to stay. After a sleepless overnight flight, we arrived in Chartres not having received any of the messages sent that day from Anais. Fortunately she was onsite or we wouldn’t have been able to get into our room. The breakfast once offered is no longer available although since we had paid for one breakfast for the two of us, they made a special effort to provide it. Our biggest problem was that the wifi does not work and I think they were aware of the problem given the previous review. We were relying on using wifi since our internet provider’s daily rate was quite high. We did not see anyone on site for the remainder of our stay so we were on our own. My husband did communicate with Anais several times through WhatsApp but that was our only means of communication. Everything else about Maison Ailleurs is lovely but I think the wifi problem needs to be fixed and someone should be onsite at least once per day to live up to its prior five star reviews.

We had to haul our bags over cobblestones and up a long flight of stairs. We were admitted by codes and passwords and never saw another person during our stay. We tried four times to contact the host because we needed some help and never had a response. It is supposed to be a bed and breakfast, but there was no breakfast. Worst of all, we had no internet and no cell service so we had no possible way of communicating. We could not even make a phone call.

This place is really special. Elegant and stylish with clever attention to detail. Valerie was very helpful with our requests and Marthe was on hand but discrete. I recommend you have the breakfast boxes. Our room overlooked the most beautiful garden. We did not want to leave. Highly recommended.

Very much enjoyed this beautiful and historic structure. The high ceiling and spacious room with good bed and bathroom were delightful. Our hostess was super helpful in providing driving directions, dining reservations and contacting Malcom Miller to provide a personalized Chartres Cathedral private tour. The box breakfast was innovative and offered more than enough to begin our day. We also enjoyed the peaceful garden for a picnic. Excellent location to walk to the Cathedral (5") and through the shopping streets to the more active city (15"). Highly recommend!