Disini Hôtel Restaurant & Spa, Montpellier Est, The Originals Relais — Restaurant in Montpellier

First impressions were odd, The hotel is trying to be a spa hotel but misses by a mile. Large open reception area but eerily empty! The receptionist had very little English and we had very little French so it was a bit Fawlty Towers. The place is very understaffed, it was almost impolite to ask for anything as they seemed to either be exhausted and alone or resting...The pool is nice but not that warm, the jacuzzi looked lovely, couldn't wait to get in but got as far as my ankles and hightailed it out of there due to fear of frostbite. The room was large, with two double beds (a family room I believe), but the patio doors to the balcony had no lock on it and to be honest having spent 3 weeks traveling around the south of France we had accumulated quite a lot of stuff, had our usual iPads etc with us so security wise we felt vulnerable. Dinner that evening was fine, not quite the gastronomic experience we had expected but just ok. There was no atmosphere here at all and apart from the pool area (which is small) very little to do. One thing they should note, please provide umbrellas by the pool and on the balconies for shade! The bathrooms are impossible to use if you have any kind of infirmity, I had knee replacements recently and although the bath looked lovely (huge high sided granite trough) it was totally impractical for a child or an older person with mobility issues. The small set of stepping stools just don't give you that feeling of safety! Also, check out how to close the bathroom doors, no handles! This place could be a great little hotel but the homemade DIY jobs and the lack of staff just don't match the concept or the price you expect to get from the description they give on...

First impressions were odd, The hotel is trying to be a spa hotel but misses by a mile. Large open reception area but eerily empty! The receptionist had very little English and we had very little French so it was a bit Fawlty Towers. The place is very understaffed, it was almost impolite to ask for anything as they seemed to either be exhausted and alone or resting...The pool is nice but not that warm, the jacuzzi looked lovely, couldn't wait to get in but got as far as my ankles and hightailed it out of there due to fear of frostbite. The room was large, with two double beds (a family room I believe), but the patio doors to the balcony had no lock on it and to be honest having spent 3 weeks traveling around the south of France we had accumulated quite a lot of stuff, had our usual iPads etc with us so security wise we felt vulnerable. Dinner that evening was fine, not quite the gastronomic experience we had expected but just ok. There was no atmosphere here at all and apart from the pool area (which is small) very little to do. One thing they should note, please provide umbrellas by the pool and on the balconies for shade! The bathrooms are impossible to use if you have any kind of infirmity, I had knee replacements recently and although the bath looked lovely (huge high sided granite trough) it was totally impractical for a child or an older person with mobility issues. The small set of stepping stools just don't give you that feeling of safety! Also, check out how to close the bathroom doors, no handles! This place could be a great little hotel but the homemade DIY jobs and the lack of staff just don't match the concept or the price you expect to get from the description they give on...

Where to even begin with this establishment.

We had called on July 25th to reserve the lunch + pool access package for August 16th. Upon arrival, however, we were informed that there were no loungers available by the pool as they were “fully booked.”

Naturally, we mentioned our advance reservation. The receptionist—who neither welcomed us nor apologized—immediately blamed a colleague, claiming she was “unaware of the policy” and telling us that hotel guests take priority over visitors.

Fine. We chose not to make a scene and went ahead to enjoy lunch at the restaurant. That’s when things became… interesting. 🤔

The set menu is priced at around €40 per person; we selected the vegetarian option. It is truly remarkable how completely tasteless a kitchen can manage to make a dish—apparently herbs and spices are kept under lock and key here.

Some of the listed ingredients never made it to the plate, while others were presented under pompous titles that did not depict the disappointing reality (“jus reduction” turned out to be a bland broth).

As for the “fully booked” pool, I have attached a photo taken during our two-hour meal. The view speaks for itself.

The premises are charming at first glance, but definitely need more care—cobwebs, dead bugs, dust and garden leaves decorated the restaurant interior.

Service, too, was notable mostly for its absence: no welcome, no apology, no 4 star service. Ironically, the only staff member who showed some genuine care was the one being publicly blamed for messing up our reservation.

To sum it all up: a place with potential, sadly ruined by poor management and, it must be said, a chef that might need to reconsider his...