Hôtel Le Grand Cerf — Hotel in Les Andelys

Arriving tired at 5.00 after a day's driving we were dismayed to find the hotel apparently closed. Various disconsolate tourists also appeared, knocking on doors, peering through windows. We, traipsed round to the back - nope, closed. Then we noticed a scruffy handwritten piece of paper informing us that check-in was at another hotel 100 yards up the road. It was raining. We duly trudged up to the other hotel to be met by a very silly giggly young girl who thought it was all hilarious and who, surprisingly in our experience of many many French hotels, spoke no English. She took us to our room, up a twisty staircase on the second floor. Having pointed out to her that she herself had said it was on the first floor, she giggled some more and eventually found the right room. No offer to carry our bags. The room was attractive but small - no hanging space other than a couple of hooks. The lampshades were splitting and scorched and I wasn't too convinced by the cleanliness. I would think the room was due for refurbishment - all a bit tired. Dinner was quite good - a glass wall shows diners the various chefs' activities. We decided to pass on the expensive breakfast of 19 euros each - partly because it was raining and to get to it one had to come out of the back door into the courtyard, walk round to the front and then go 100 yards up to the other hotel. We thought if we were going to get wet we would cross over the pretty market square and get breakfast at a cafe, which we did - excellent quality for €9 each. No help again with luggage on departure in the pouring rain, and once again check out was required up the road. ||||A great pity they can't get their act together - the setting was delightful, but the rooms were much too expensive for what they were - and service was non- existent. We would not return there and nor would we recommend...

In a little village in a beautiful forest, this hotel is part of several establishments owned by the same people. Two hotels and three restaurants make up their offering. I say this because our stay spread across the two hotels and two restaurants! We stayed in rooms at Le Grand Cerf, had breakfast in the Licorne Hotel (100 m away) and ate dinner in a restaurant they called their lounge (200 m away). Everything was delightful, if quirky. Our room had beams and was very comfortable with a small but brilliantly designed shower room and separate toilet. Breakfast was taken in the Licorne Hotel and was delicious. A somewhat basic continental menu only and bizarrely the table was set with only small saucers to eat off. When asked for a plate, the staff curiously seemed reticent but eventually produced one! Just one!

The village is medieval and is a gorgeous photogenic backdrop to a stay in this beautiful rural area. Do check opening times for establishments as many close on Mondays and Tuesdays and for lunch daily. Tucked away discretely in a side road by the post office on the edge of the village is a 2 post EV charger. Use the QR...

Lyons-la-Forêt is a very beautiful village, voted one of the most beautiful villages of France. L'Hotel Le Grand Cerf is located right in front of the main square with nice little restaurants. Our room Le Peuplier de Neige was very original in its decor but was facing the main road and noisy because of that but also because the walls were like cardboard and we could hear the words spoken from the room next to us. The beds were comfortable however. The breakfast was superb, highly recommended. ||The spa connected to it is beautiful but very small and the staff did not want us to taka a towel because they had a group of people coming and she wanted to keep the towels for them. Something not expected from a place that is supposed to be a bit higher class. There are a couple of Châteaux to visit nearby: Vascoeuil with sculptures and nice gardens, the Château de Mainville that is super interesting to visit and...