Le Mans Country Club

Gastronomy: The restaurant is consistently praised for its high-quality, creative cuisine , with notable highlights like the cheese cart, open kitchen, and extensive wine list.

Arriving in early September, one can almost feel the sigh of relief of staff and the hotel to have some breathing space after the peak summer season. Whilst this did not effect the warm welcome from the staff, there was a slight feeling of anti-climax in the general feel of the hotel; the grounds were windswept, the corridors echoing and the car park virtually empty. The surroundings are very pleasant, although with the tennis court looking neglected, the banqueting suite shut up and the bar bereft of custom, things felt a little flat. One therefore might expect that the Gourmet Stop, if priced competitively, might attract some late season custom. As it turns out, at €355, it might not represent the bargain one might be expecting - B&B €195 in a Prestige Room, and Sequoia Menu €70 pp looks pretty standard to me! The room was pleasant, if a little stark, but all this was compensated for by the superb evening meal and a most excellent breakfast. The moral of this story is clearly ‘do the math’ and work out if you really are being made an ‘offer’ or just a repackaged standard overnight stay. So, despite feeling slightly hoodwinked by the marketeers, I would recommend a stay at the Le Mans Country Club. Better still, book in somewhere down the road at a cheaper rate and come in for dinner!

Tranquil setting outside city of Le Mans. Exterior looks impressive. The interior you step into the 1990's contemporary elements. No food places in walking distance. I did not take any onsite meals.