Domaine de Beauvois

GRAND ENTRANCES START AT THE GATES of Domaine de Beauvois. You approach the hotel through a long climbing drive surrounded by tall trees, with a lake down to one side. Sweeping into the forecourt, there's a real sense of arriving – especially if you opt  for a chauffeured car transfer (as we wished we had!) direct from the airport.

Miles from the summer crowds flocking to Amboise, Blois and the other fabled Loire honeypots, Domaine de Beauvois is an appealingly away-from-it-all Loire manor house set in blissful seclusion away from the well-trodden château trail.
 
Tucked into 350 acres of parklands and woods, it's a relaxed and peaceful enclave just a short drive from the Val de Loire heartland. The name Beauvois means 'lovely view,' and you'll soon see why. If nature reigns outside, history oozes from the walls within. The estate was once owned by duke Charles Albert de Luynes, a favourite of King Louis XIII.

Heraldic motifs

The arms of later aristocratic owners can be seen mounted over the grand fireplace of the dining room, while more recent illustrious guests include Grace Kelly and Robert de Niro, not to mention heavyweights from the Grand Prix circuit competing at nearby Le Mans.

Shades of château shabby-chic lend Domaine de Beauvois a nicely lived-in air. Spacious rooms are big on comfort and decorated in tasteful pastels, prints and florals. New-age essentials  are there too, with wi-fi access and flatscreen TVs.

Bedrooms come with antique furnishings, rich fabrics, heraldic motifs and brass lamps. Many sport original fireplaces and sturdy oak-beamed ceilings. Beds are dressed in crisp linen while marble-floored bathrooms come well stocked with bathtime bottles. If you're after that Rapunzel feeling, try one of the circular rooms in the tower.
 
Dining at the Domaine is délicieux: look forward to outstanding regional cooking majoring on what's seasonal and local. Desserts are mouthwatering, and the sommelier will be happy to guide you through the wine list, packed with rare finds. Choose between formal dining in the Briffaut room or country cooking (with a seasonal mushroom, game or seafood theme) in the more intimate Louis Xlll and XV salons. Start your gastronomic journey with an aperitif on Domaine de Beauvois' terrace or pretty sitting room next to the bar.
 
You’ll want to wind down in this oasis of peace. Soak up the rays around the outdoor heated pool, explore the immaculate grounds, knock up on the tennis court or grab a mountain bike (free for guests’ use) and pedal off along a forest trail, then discover Saumur, Chenonceau and other highlights of the Loire. Smart, can’t-do-enough young staff add to the enjoyment.

© Room for Romance