Relais and Chateaux-no- no NON!
Where to even begin? Our experience at Château Mer was one of the most disappointing hotel stays we've had in recent memory — especially considering the Relais & Châteaux label and the premium pricing.
We arrived on the afternoon of Monday, September 15th, and the lack of welcome was immediately noticeable. It took quite some time before anyone appeared at the front desk. Though the staff were pleasant enough, the entire welcome experience lacked polish, warmth, and organization. It felt chaotic, under-trained, and oddly indifferent — think Fawlty Towers, but without the charm.
We were offered an iced tea in what I assume was meant to be a tranquil garden. Unfortunately, the space was poorly maintained: wilted plants, uneven pathways, and furniture that had seen better days. The setting felt unloved. And yet, despite all this, the building itself is stunning — a beautiful old grande dame perched in an enviable location. That makes what follows all the more frustrating.
Room Disaster (a.k.a. “The Upgrade”)
After a long wait with no communication, we were told we’d been “upgraded.” Normally, that would be welcome news — but this so-called upgrade turned out to be a turret room spread over two floors. The first floor had a small room - basically an entryway - with a desk and a bench, a room with a sit-in tub/sink and another with a toilet. Up a stone spiral staircase was the sleeping room which had a round bed and a bizarre layout that made
