Demeures et Châteaux Le Moulin des Templiers — Hotel in Avallon

The tl;dr of this is expensive price for bad service, small rooms and loud doors. I've had worse experiences, just none that also cost this much.||Having read the multitude of glowing reviews of this hotel we expected a quaint paradise with luxurious rooms and cute views over the scenery. In essence, a type of boutique hotel where the high price (275 euros) for a single night in a "deluxe" double room was offset by a variety of bonuses not normally expected in a hotel. This we certainly received, simply not the type of bonuses we expected!||The first mistake we made was to fail to call ahead and ask for a room with two beds, instead of a double bed. Fine, a small fact which can normally be remedied easily, but the hostess downstairs very clearly made an instant judgement and decided her time was better spent sitting downstairs than worrying over bedding arrangements. Immediately and quite impressively she started berating us both loudly for this fact! Not simply saying it would take a while, or that it could not be done even, but full criticisms for our stupidity in our actions. She clearly had expected a meek apology from a few tourists but I must admit we fired back just as strongly and so engaged in a long and exciting argument immediately on arrival.||After it was clear we were going to get no help from the hostess and she reiterated her position that she may or may not be able to help, depending on her schedule as she was alone (with her colleague having quite honestly slipped out during the argument) we went to see if the bed could accommodate two 6-foot plus giants. I have stayed in plenty of hotels, Airbnbs, hostels and even cubicle hotels, and I have never seen such a disparity between price and size of room. At 275 euro you received what would barely constitute a single room in a super-cheap travel motel; the bed took up almost the entirety of the room, and the bathroom was a sparse and small affair.||We trudged back to the counter feeling thoroughly ripped off and genuinely unsure if this room was what was shown in the photos (it was - it's simply photographed 'just' right). When we told the hostess we would rather not stay and simply take a refund we expected some sort of options in return. Perhaps she would offer an upgrade, a partial refund to cover booking costs, some kind of discount or even just an apology for starting out by shouting at us! Alas, she continued to look dismissive, sneered at any issues we raised, and asked what we wanted to do as if we had a choice. Never before have I seen a receptionist so absolutely determined not to budge at all despite the clear anger of guests. Of course attacking a hotel worker and expecting a reward is stupid, but to be berated, scammed (just a little) and mocked (for my accent when speaking French) and then simply waved away was impressive. And for 275 euros to boot!!||The meat of the story ends there; as far as we could determine the positive reviews for this place come from those enjoying the small spa and decent restaurant, as well as the genuinely cute and picturesque setting. While the bed did end up being large enough, and very comfortable, the doors close with an almighty thunderclap that made us think the local WW2 re-enactment club had decided to practice in the bathroom. While we were lucky that the bombardment stopped at around midnight and started again only at 9am, if you were staying with door-slamming children in this hotel you could kiss your sleep goodbye.||Overall, I think that if you avoid the pugilistic hostess on the front desk, get lucky with the fellow guests and plan to enjoy the spa and surrounds, this could be a decent stay even if it is overpriced. Even so, I suspect there are a plethora of places where this miraculous trifecta need not meet for you to enjoy your stay. If you are looking to start your holiday with some light sparring and memories of the old war days however, then you cannot miss Le Moulin...

I posted his yesterday but found TA had given me a new id so that has been deleted the this re-posed under my normal id.||||Note Covid19 precautions were in force. That said I don't think it impacted on our stay to any extent. The hotel is situated south of the D957 "in" the village Pontaubert, which is just west of Avallon. The hotel is only a short way outside the village but feels like its on its own.||||Coming via the above directions the hotel is on the right of the road and the car park is on the left. From the car park you walk across the road and the reception is on the ground floor.||||I am not sure exactly where all the rooms are but ours was in the building where the reception is with some on the ground foor, some on the first and some on the second. The room we had was on the second floor and facing north. The river was visible and trees on either side of the small valley. The room had all that was required.||||One of the charms is the River Cousin which is a shallow rocky river which flows by the hotel. Being a former mill this is no great surprise.||||The weather was good so the evening meal was outside, which helped with social distancing. Tables over looked the river and again the trees on either side of the valley. Probably due the situation the menu was limited but we both found what we liked and there was local beer and wine offer as well. Staff were attentive and helpful. Traffic on the road was minimal and a wall alongside the road shelters you from this. An idyllic meal and setting.||||There is also a spar, which we did not use, but many did.||||Breakfast was inside and was the usual sort of think with cooked meats, various types of bread cheese etc with a machine to do hot drinks. Sanitiser was provided and required to enter, as in other parts of the hotel.||||Owners were kind and friendly and we wished we had stayed more than one night.||||I would have included more pictures but TAs rules on photo size...

It is a requirement of this hotel that you provide clear and detailed instructions before arrival, in particular about the bed configuration you desire. Take heed because if you don’t you’ll be told off.|Why anybody would insist on using the spa is a mystery. Its size and appearance is that of a wooden bucket as used in medieval times for washing plague victims. It is frequented by people who seem to have travelled specially, some from as far as Helsinki, to sit in it, even in the pouring rain. It’s better not to get in their way.|A family with children who love doorslamming was staying down our corridor and much as we attempted to catch them in the act and have them dispatched by management they kept on jumping from one room to another without interruption.|The room was so small our cat had to forego its habitual evening swing. And oh, there was only one face towel, but between us we have two faces so that was very awkward. |There is occasionally a rather lively receptionist at the front desk who believes attack is the best form of defence so get psyched up before entering. She’s likely to have anticipated your every complaint. She doesn’t believe guests should complain in any case. |Wifi in this hotel there was not so don’t come here if you have an important deal in the offing or your grannie is on her deathbed. Otherwise, no complaint. The environment is wooded and the brook babbles along contentedly. Vézelay and it’s astonishing basilica is a hop skip and jump away, but if you prefer, you can...