Hôtel de la Villeon

First impressions are important and here they weren't good. There were traffic jams on the bridge across the Rhone and all roads around - I guess there often are. Our sat-nav, though recently updated, didn't know which streets were one-way or open to traffic in Tournon so we had trouble finding our way to the hotel. When found it turns out to be in a verynnarrow street with not even space to stop a car to unload luggage without causing obstruction. I parked some way along and my wife tried to get in. The door marked with the hotel name over it was closed (is never open it seems) the next two doors along were also closed and unpromising. A passing child told my wife to try the 4th door along which was also locked but had a bell-push, which was eventually answered and the door opened. But we then had to drive to the underground parking about 300 metres further along and drag our cases back along the cobbled streets, and then try to get in again. Once inside the staff were fairly helpful. The room was fine, and breakfast was also perfectly adequate. We got a key to the main door so we could get in again without having to use the bell-push. There is a garden at the back but it was raining too much during our visit to make any use of it. It's not their fault that the access is so difficult, but better instructions would have helped.

We stayed in the Villeon suite. As described it has “Wood flooring panels, walls and ceiling with wainscoting, moulded details of sober Greek-style setting. All of those elements date back to the French Restoration era. Sophistication and historical charm are the hallmark of this spacious, delicate suite and its timeless elegance.” It was exactly that! A gorgeous room with a large bathroom. It faced the front of the hotel but the street has no traffic so it was silent. The AC worked very well and the beds were comfortable. Breakfast included the best croissants in the village and the service was wonderful.

We read the reviews of this hotel before coming and didn’t quite know what to expect. Having now stayed we can’t believe the negative reviews. This hotel is stunning and couldnt be further from a ‘warehouse’. The staff are amazing and the breakfast was great. Tournon Sur Rhone is also beautiful.

We have booked the hotel by call. The condition was a parking. After arrival in tiny street we have realised we have to park somewhere away. We didn’t feel safe on the location. There was no able for us to stay there because of parking. We discussed with reception and manager to avoid any fee but they already charged us. The manager was not even nice, there was an arrogance. So because of the parking we were not able to stay and still we had to partly pay our stay. We asked as well to book a chosen restaurant. They recommend us a vegetarian and they booked for us. But when we were leaving the town this “our” restaurant was closed. I would not definitely recommend this accomodation.

This hotel has so much potential if it were more professionally managed. There was one staff member who was exceptional but the rest were hopeless. In particular, when we arrived, the new recruit at the door didn’t say bonjour, didn’t hold the heavy door, didn’t offer to help me with my suitcases. He couldn’t answer any of my questions with regard to the room or breakfast or anything else. Twice we saw him sitting on the dirty curb outside the hotel, like a street beggar. The hotel has beautiful bones… magnificent historic rooms but the entrance is astoundingly cold and impersonal. To get to the elevator you have to walk though what seems to be a back room with laundry bins. There is no bar fridge or coffee making facilities in the room. We couldn’t open the armoire door which remained locked the whole time. And we ran out of toilet paper on day 2. Lovely place, but they need a little more professionalism to gain my recommendation.

This is another beautifully restored place to stay. We were surprised not to have any coffee/tea in the room (nor any bathrobes) but it had everything else you needed. One side of the bed only had one plug but the other side had multiple plugs. You can hear street noise but it didn't bother us. There is a parking garage just after the hotel or you might find free overnight street parking.