Château de Noirieux

Feedback for Château de Noirieux We rarely find ourselves submitting such critical feedback, but we hope this is seen constructively. After exceptional experiences at other Relais & Châteaux properties in Saint-Émilion and Honfleur, we were astonished by the stark difference in quality at Château de Noirieux, which fell far short of the high standards we expected from this prestigious brand. Positives: • The room itself shows evidence of recent investment, which highlights the hotel’s potential to offer a refined guest experience. • The restaurant team was exceptional, bringing a level of professionalism that stood out amid an otherwise disappointing stay. Areas for Improvement: • Reception & Arrival: From the outset, we found basic customer service lacking. Upon arrival, the receptionist seemed hesitant to help with luggage, preferring to stay behind the desk. This was a disappointing first impression, and simple, guest-focused gestures would make a substantial difference. • In-room Requests: When we requested an iron and ironing board, we had to follow up three times. On the third request, the receptionist suggested we check the room ourselves and, if it was still missing, return to reception so she could “ask again.” After multiple requests, a proactive response would have been appropriate; she could have accompanied us to ensure the matter was resolved. Unfortunately, this hesitation to assist directly was a pattern we noticed across other interactions at the front desk. • Luggage Handling: We found ourselves managing our own luggage during check-out, as no one was available to assist. This hands-off approach may work at more modest establishments, but at this price level and with no additional staff present, we would expect a more attentive front desk team. • Room Cleanliness & Maintenance: Although the room had been recently refurbished, it showed signs of neglect. There were noticeable stains on the carpet, and the bathroom window held multiple dead insects, with cobwebs behind the toilet. These details undermine the overall presentation and fall short of Relais & Châteaux’s usual attention to detail. • WiFi Access: Perhaps the most surprising and frustrating aspect of our stay was the complete lack of WiFi in the room, despite this being confirmed in two separate booking emails. Upon discovering the issue, we approached the front desk to inquire, only to be met with laughter and the suggestion that “of course, WiFi doesn’t work in the room – the walls are too thick.” This response was dismissive and entirely unacceptable, especially at a hotel of this calibre. Rather than offering a solution or even an apology, they suggested we go outside to the courtyard if we wanted a connection. This attitude was reflective of a general lack of accountability, as though the issue was to be expected and no effort was made to improve it with something as basic as a signal extender or a router. For a property within the Relais & Châteaux group