Sofya
The Hôtel Rabelais occupies a beautifully restored historic building in the heart of Amboise, just a short walk from the Château de Amboise. The property takes its name from François Rabelais, the great Renaissance writer whose life was closely connected with the Loire Valley, and the building itself reflects the town's centuries-old character. From the outside, it blends perfectly into the historic streetscape.
Step inside, however, and you'll find a completely different world. The renovation has been so thorough that virtually everything is modern: sleek, new, and rather generic. The contrast between the historic façade and the contemporary, almost plastic-like interior is striking.
Unfortunately, the owners seem to have embraced another old tradition: extreme frugality. During a 38°C heatwave, guests cannot control the room's air conditioning, apparently on the assumption that they'll manage somehow.
A minibar or even a small refrigerator? Clearly an unnecessary luxury. Fresh towels every day? Proper bathroom cleaning? Another avoidable expense.
To be fair, there is a small outdoor pool where children happily splash around, bringing a cheerful atmosphere to the courtyard. But in an era of increasingly frequent summer heatwaves, guest comfort shouldn't be treated as optional. A hotel can preserve its historic charm without expecting visitors to experience Renaissance levels of climate control.
The breakfast was nice, packed with proteins, less veggies :)
Step inside, however, and you'll find a completely different world. The renovation has been so thorough that virtually everything is modern: sleek, new, and rather generic. The contrast between the historic façade and the contemporary, almost plastic-like interior is striking.
Unfortunately, the owners seem to have embraced another old tradition: extreme frugality. During a 38°C heatwave, guests cannot control the room's air conditioning, apparently on the assumption that they'll manage somehow.
A minibar or even a small refrigerator? Clearly an unnecessary luxury. Fresh towels every day? Proper bathroom cleaning? Another avoidable expense.
To be fair, there is a small outdoor pool where children happily splash around, bringing a cheerful atmosphere to the courtyard. But in an era of increasingly frequent summer heatwaves, guest comfort shouldn't be treated as optional. A hotel can preserve its historic charm without expecting visitors to experience Renaissance levels of climate control.
The breakfast was nice, packed with proteins, less veggies :)
