Chateau Laroche-Ploquin - hotel review

Katie Law has a night to remember at Hotel Chateau Laroche Ploquin in France  
Katie Law @jkatielaw5 October 2018

First Impressions

This magnificent petit château in the Loire Valley, built mostly in the 18th century on earlier foundations, has re-opened as a grand hotel with all the atmosphere of a stately home.

Looks

With its majestic sandstone façade, slate spires and claret-painted shutters, it feels imposing yet retains an air of faded charm. The high-ceilinged bedrooms are swathed in an abundance of floral and striped silks in thoroughly Versailles style, making the Nespresso machine and wall- mounted TV seem superfluous. Generous en suite bathrooms are marbled floor-to-ceiling with walk-in showers.

Feel

The atmosphere is pleasantly low-key, with clientele largely comprised of couples splashing out on a romantic weekend escape. One friendly staff member seems to do almost everything, from fetching the luggage to taking orders for dinner — think Manuel in Fawlty Towers.

Extras

The ground-floor restaurant in a new extension overlooking a formal rose garden serves decent food but the highlight is the choice of affordable, local wines. Activities include riding, fruit picking in season, hunting, fishing and a tour of the vineyard at nearby Château de Thouars.

The rose garden at Chateau de Laroche Ploqu​in

Outside

Laroche-Ploquin itself is tucked away off a minor road in its own grounds, so you definitely need a car and a map to find it. But strike out in any direction and you’ll hit gold since it’s in the heart of the Loire country, with its umpteen extraordinary châteaux. The nearby town of Loches has a medieval church, crumbling keep and amazing bakery.

Dark side

The first-floor bar, with its overstuffed clubby leather chairs and hideous hammered silver bar, seems quite out of place, so one can only conclude it comes in handy for corporate events.

In a nutshell

If you’ve ever fantasised about staying in a stately home, French-style, this will do the trick, as well as providing the perfect base from which to explore this glorious region of France.

Doubles from £160, room only. chateaularocheploquin.com

For more hotel reviews head to the Evening Standard's travel section.

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