As an Australian the pool and palm tree resort style hotel is not what we look for in a French experience unless travelling with kids, read on:

This is a resort style hotel centred around a swimming pool. It is a Lonely Planet pick and once again it is interesting and unique as you would expect from LP. We were there when the hotel was quiet, very quiet. In fact it was difficult to get a drink from the bar because there was only one staff member doing everything. (or so it seemed). The positive is, that this hotel is in a lovely secluded spot in a nice garden. It was a good night's sleep when we were there in June. The negatives are, it seems a little roughly built and the decor is a little weird. I don't know what the hessian? wallpaper in the bathroom is all about. The sunken bath looks awkward for the less than agile. Typically for Europe, the bathrooms are poorly ventilated but these bathrooms are also very dark. More importantly, if this place was full of guests in high season using the pool it could be very noisy. Perhaps a great hotel for a group with kids. We originally requested to be moved from the downstairs rooms which are all tiled obviously to take children coming from the pool. Not impressed with the cat and dog being fed in the hotel kitchen and the dog sniffing the breakfast table but hey, this is France!

The Moussidiere is situated down a narrow lane just off the main road into Sarlat from the south. It's originally an old manor house that has been extended and enhanced to provide modern rooms and facilities.

The location is excellent: blissfully quiet, surrounded by fields and extensive grounds, yet only a few minutes from Sarlat town centre by car (it would be a bit of a hike on foot). Incidentally, if you go into Sarlat from the south, ignore the pay car parks, and head up the hill west of the old town centre, where you will find ample free parking, either in car parks or by the road. We never failed to find a free space here, and it's only a few minutes downhill to the town (steep, if short, climb back up please note).

Back to the hotel: our room was smallish, but quite sufficient for a reasonably lengthy stay. Fridge, TV, safe, bath and shower, plus slightly intimidating French decor (who decorates French hotels?!), large and comfy bed. Only problem when we were there was the temperature - it was seriously hot, and the room air con couldn't cope. Other than that, perfectly pleasant room with a large terrace and good sun loungers. Only oddity was that the bathroom had no door, but this wouldn't be a problem in most cases. Toilet was a separate room.

The hotel has no restaurant but provides an excellent breakfast in the very spacious seating and eating areas close to the beautifully maintained pool. You can eat indoors or out, and service is friendly and efficient. Not a lot of English spoken, in case you are worried about such things.

As noted, the pool was excellent, lots of loungers in both shady and sunny spots, plus free towels if required.

Reception was friendly and helpful and apparently manned at all hours - again, not a lot of English spoken.

The odd thing about all this was that for the first few days we were very nearly the only people in the hotel. We more than once had the pool entirely to ourselves in the afternoon. Rather nice, but slightly weird in the Dordogne in July.

In the second week the place did get busier, although quite a few of the guests appeared to be friends of the owner.

If anything, my impression was that perhaps they had recently taken over and were busy relaunching themselves.

However, there is absolutely nothing wrong with this hotel - it was very well kept, service was excellent, standards were high, and it is in a great spot for visiting Sarlat (lots of places to eat, albeit all with the same menu!), Domme (15-20 minutes) Roq Gageac (15 minutes), Beynac (15 minutes), Marqueyssac (10 minutes). Prices are reasonable, and it's an excellent choice if you are in the area.

Incidentally, if you visit Domme - and you must as it is much more unspoilt than the slightly tacky Rocamadour - try the "Cabanoix et Chataigne" restaurant on Rue Geoffroy de Vivans. Wow, is all I can say. Great French food (foie gras, surprise surprise), but with twists and imagination and hints of other things. Wonderful deserts, beautiful meat courses, and a special mention for probably the best chicken tikka and rice ever - honest! Not even expensive.

Recently spent 3 days in Sarlat at the Relais de Moussidiere - a 3 star hotel just outside Sarlat. The hotel was really lovely furnished in an eclectic mix of French, African and Morrocan which gave a romantic atmosphere.
The grounds were quite large and had a very large pond complete with ducks.
The bedroom was superb having a ceramic tiled floor, fabric lined walls with the same fabric as bed coverings and the same design in a different colour for the curtains.
The bathroom was quite spacious and complete with bath robes.
The only snag was that there was not a restaurant for dinner, although breakfast was served. The house rule was that you could not eat in your room, and as we had a balcony complete with table and chairs, we would have enjoyed a bottle of wine with some cheese, bread, ham etc.
Consequently we had to go out for dinner. There were a lot of restaurants in Sarlat, but it was too far to walk.
We dined one evening at The Quatre Saisons in the old part of the town. The meal was excellent and we were able to sit outside in the walled courtyard.
It was a restful hotel and the staff were very friendly.
Travelalotta