We almost cancelled our booking due to recent trip advisor reviews but we figured we were more likely to fit into the fan category of the very polarised views we read, plus they have a 4 week cancellation policy (review insurance?) so forewarned and forearmed, we proceeded with some caution and curiosity.
I thought this place was very nearly genius. The name suggests an enchanted place and it is more like entering an antique dealer’s private mansion than a hotel. There are huge oil paintings of 18th century figures, two mini-grand pianos (or were they harpsichords?), comfortable salons with slipper chairs and loads of heavy coffee table books on art, history and architecture.
We had booked one of the smallest rooms at 220 euros a night, which had charm inverse to its size but fell short of comfortable. The minor problems added up - The TV had no decent reception, as if the ariel wasn’t attached and mysteriously someone had loosened the power cord at the back just enough for it not to work initially. The safe battery was displaying a low power warning so you didn’t want to risk putting anything in it, there was nowhere to sit other than the bed and the bed itself was a standard width double – small for a luxury hotel and it had no bedhead (my girlfriend thinks this is a basic test of a luxury hotel room).
A very charming slipper bath with an awning sat in the middle of the room, but there was no separate shower or door on the loo (not a place for new couples). The window had no blind on it, just heavy curtains, which was a problem as it overlooked a neighbouring flat. Your only option for privacy was to close the heavy (and lovely) embroidered curtains in an already dark room.
Before we took up residence in our room, we were shown a couple of the larger suites which looked amazing – huge rooms fit for an 18th century Nimes nobleman, though they came in at 340 and 400 euros a night.
Outside the rooms, you can sit in any number of areas around the newer double level courtyard or in the garden in front of the old house, without feeling over looked by other Jardin residents.
We took on the continental breakfast at 20 euros a head and it seemed reasonable value, served beautifully in the garden with lovely crockery, fresh juice, coffee, croissants, pain au chocolate, jam, yoghurt, fruit. You can have eggs as an optional extra though these weren’t such good value as it turns out – they don’t tell you the cost when offered and found they were 10 euros a plate when we checked out, perhaps the eggs of a golden goose.
The valet style parking was OK - 20 euros a day, no damage to report as in a previous review and we didn’t find the surrounding area at all dodgy. Service was very good and attentive staff would magically appear when we needed them for drinks or when we returned for our key in the evening.
By the way, the enormous keys have foot long rope fobs so you just leave them on a table when you go out (you wouldn’t accidentally take one with you).
If you are looking for a romantic night or two tucked away in a beautiful old house, this place has an almost magical quality to it – extremely genteel with lots of chairs and nooks around the garden and courtyard.
In sum I'd say It’s a bit quirky, not really a hotel at all, more a very special B&B. A bit more investment/attention to detail in the small rooms and perhaps a dial down on some of the food/drink prices could make it a very desirable destination indeed - especially for anyone with an appreciation of art, history and the finer things in life.
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
