Best Castle Hotels by Chateau Chenonceau

If you’re visting the castle-filled Loire Valley ~ why not stay in a castle?!  There are many former chateaux in the region that are now used as hotels….& it just so happens that many of them lie by my favorite chateau: Chenonceau.  The incredible gardens here, soaring towers & turrets, & long galley-room that stretches over the River Cher are just a few reasons to visit this magnificent place.  And because it’s centrally-located in the Loire, this is a great place to base yourself for a longer visit to several chateaux.  Here are the “Best Castle Hotels by Chateau Chenonceau!”

Chenonceau is my favorite chateau in the Loire Valley. Here, we’ll learn where to stay in-style right nearby!

The absolute closest “castle” hotel is located just 500 yards away, with a renowned Michelin-starred restaurant: Auberge du Bon Laboureur.

Map of Chateau Chenonceau

Overview of Hotels by Chateau Chenonceau

All hotels listed below are withing a 20-minute drive of Chateau Chenonceau ~ with some much closer.  They’re listed in order of how close they are to Chenonceau, & my favorites are starred.

The author at the gardens of Chenonceau…

• **Auberge de on Laboureur ($186+/night) = Romantic Hotel on Chenonceau’s Grounds ~ Just 500 Yards Away! This is the ONLY hotel located right by the Chateau, in the small town of Chenonceaux. Set in a home dating back to the 1700’s, this hotel consists of five “Village Houses” covered in vines….with a romantic, cottage garden feel to it. And their beautiful Michelin-starred restaurant deserves a visit in its own right: its beautiful plant-filled terrace serves dishes featuring veggies from their own garden. Rooms here are more modern than any other hotel listed.
• Chateau de Chissay ($130+/night) = True Castle Exterior with a More “Rustic” Feel Inside & Budget Prices: Set three miles from Chenonceau in a peaceful spot, Chateau de Chissay is so grand on the outside it almost looks like a movie set! But….there are issues on the inside: there are no elevators, which requires carrying bags to your room thru tricky & at-times narrow passages. Rooms are quite basic, & bathrooms are small ~ some with no showers.  And their outdoor pool isn’t heated. So if you’re looking for full-service & five-star accommodations: this is NOT it! But their price point reflects this, & it’s great for those on a budget. They also serve a good breakfast buffet along with dinner.
• **Chateau des Arpentis ($270+/night) = 12th-Century Chateau in Amboise with Large, Old-World Rooms: Set amidst a 30-hectare park, you’re just 15 minutes from Chenonceau ~ but also close to restaurants & shops in charming Amboise.  Rooms are much larger than typical French rooms, & come with tapestries, vaulted wood ceilings, & some with claw-foot bath tubs.  Lots of ambience!  But they only serve breakfast here….so if that’s an issue & you really want a place that serves dinner: try the Auberge or Chateau de Pray.
• **Chateau de Pray ($240+/night) = Charming 13th-Century Chateau with Excellent Fine-Dining in Amboise: The location here is near-perfect: you’re a 10-minute walk to River Loire, 3 kilometers to Amboise & Leonardo DaVinci’s former home, & just 18 minutes from Chenonceau.  And the grounds here are some of the loveliest around, with elegant rooms to match.  There’s a great restaurant on-site, heated outdoor pool, & bike rentals ~ plus one of the friendliest staffs that guests rave about. This is one of my TOP choices for a stay in the Loire Valley!
• Chateau de la Bourdaisiere ($175+/night) = Renaissance Castle 20 Minutes from Chenonceau with Huge Gardens: Gardeners will rejoice here, as there are 55 acres to explore ~ including the National Conservatory of Tomatoes, which houses over 700+ varieties of tomatoes! Rooms are opulent & fit for a king, but the one disappointment here is the food: they offer one “set” meal at night, & breakfast is fairly basic.  So if you’re a foodie, may want to stay elsewhere.

Chateau de la Bourdaisiere reminds me a bit of “Downton Abbey” with its regal exterior…

Set on 55 acres by the River Loire, Renaissance-restored Chateau de la Bourdaisiere is a little further from Chenonceau ~ with a 25-minute drive.

A unique stay in an interesting & charming château!

Photos of Closest Hotels to Chenonceau…

The two closest castle hotels to Chenonceau are Auberge du Bon Laboureur ($186+/night), which is virtually on the Chateau grounds ~ & Chateau de Chissay ($130+/night), which is a little more rustic, & a 10-minute drive from Chateau Chenonceau.

The absolute CLOSEST hotel to Chenonceau is practically on their grounds: Auberge du Bon Laboureur.

Beautiful Michelin-starred outdoor restaurant at Auberge.

Rooms at Auberge are elegant & tasteful, with modern amenities.

“Lovely village Auberge. We really enjoyed our stay here. The location is an ideal base for exploring the Loire chateaux, & the gem of Chenonceau is within walking distance. Our prestige room is nice ~ very French! Extremely comfy bed. And their restaurant deserves a Michelin star!”

 

– William G., from the United Kingdom

Photos of Chateau de Chissay

Just 3 miles from Chenonceau is this fairy-tale, real-life castle: Chateau de Chissay.

Lovely outdoor pool at Chissay…but it’s not heated.

Rooms here are gorgeous though! Just be comfortable climbing some stairs to reach them…

Wonderful stay, my teen loved it!  We had a great time at Chateau de Chissay. Three nights was perfect for us, & it’s one of the most memorable places we’ve stayed. Definitely a bit rustic, but my kid felt it was more realistic than the super modernized places.

 

– Review from VL

 

Check prices at Chateau de Chissay ~ one of the best “Budget Castle” options in the Loire Valley.

Photos of Castle Hotels in Amboise

The charming town of Amboise is not only Leonardo da Vinci’s last-known residence, but it’s also an easy 15-minute drive to Chenonceau, & a great base for exploring the Loire Valley.  And there are two great castle hotels here: Chateau des Arpentis ($270+/night) & Chateau de Pray ($216+/night).

This stately manor house is Chateau des Arpentis, & is found in the charming town of Amboise ~ about 15 minutes from Chenonceau.

Beautiful sunken pool at Arpentis.

Rooms at Arpentis are FAR larger than France is known for, some with vaulted ceilings & free-standing tubs.

“Slice of heaven for a good price at Chateau des Arpentis! Our family stayed in L’Orangerie, which is basically an apartment. Five people fit easily with 2 massive bathrooms. Fresh basket of pastries delivered each morning. Laurent was lovely. This is not a full-service hotel, but there are wonderful amenities. Super beautiful & relaxing.

 

Loved our stay!”

 

– Neal Fogg

Check prices at the chateau with some of the largest rooms (great for families): Chateau des Arpentis.

Located in Amboise near River Loire, lovely Chateau de Pray is just 18 minutes from Chenonceau.

A charming, old-world room at de Pray.

Life doesn’t get much better than this….& don’t forget: they have a wonderful resaurant on-site.

Everything you want in a French Chateau & more!

 

This charming Chateau in the Loire Valley is beautiful, & includes a Michelin restaurant, swimming pool, & beautiful gardens. You can escape from the world here. Staff was above & beyond with their service. Not far from Amboise, which is a great town to visit, stroll, & eat ~ as well as the castle!

You can’t go wrong in booking Chateau De Pray.

 

PS. Shower pressure was excellent!

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– LuxuryTraveler5 from Franklin, Ohio

 

Check prices at charming Chateau de Pray ~ with its beautiful gardens & warm staff.

Best Castle Hotels by Chateau Chenonceau

No matter which hotel you choose, I recommend renting a car in the Loire.  It’s so easy to drive here, with mellow, country roads & little traffic. 

You’ll see more this way & do it at your own pace!

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