Escape to Paradise: Hotel Beausoleil, Montelimar's Hidden Gem
Escape to Paradise? Let's Talk About Hotel Beausoleil, Montelimar (Spoiler: It's Complicated)
Okay, let's be real. Trying to review a hotel is like trying to wrangle a herd of cats. You've got a million little moving parts, each with its own personality, and just when you think you've got a handle on things, bam! something unexpected happens. So, here's the deal with Hotel Beausoleil in Montelimar. Prepare for a rollercoaster. And yes, I'm still thinking about that croissant.
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(Now, let's get messy!)
First Impressions (and That Croissant)
Driving up to the Beausoleil, it looks the part. Classic French facade, a little bit of "ooo la la." The exterior corridor felt a bit… motel-ish, but hey, I'm not one to judge a book by its cover. The doorman was on duty, which is always a nice touch. Made you feel like you'd actually arrived. (More on that later with the luggage…)
The check-in process was smooth, not too much faffing about, which is a win after a long trip. They have contactless check-in/out, which is a solid thumbs up in these current times. And…oh god… that breakfast [buffet]. I’m not even a big breakfast person, normally, but the sight of it… a la carte options were available as well. It was… international and western cuisine in the restaurant, and the coffee… oh, the coffee was a coffee/tea in the restaurant experience that I'm likely to continue thinking about for decades. The Asian breakfast was…well, not my cup of tea. But the croissants… fluffy, buttery, almost a religious experience. This alone bumped the overall score up.
Rooms & What's Inside (and That Dreaded Luggage)
My room? Non-smoking, which is a MUST. Air conditioning was a blessing. The bed was fine, extra long bed, even though I had an average size room. Blackout curtains – praise be! Seriously, the soundproofing was pretty damn good, too. Considering this was a high floor room, that was a huge plus. Free bottled water, always appreciated. They also offer things like alarm clocks, bathrobes, slippers, a safe box, a mirror, a desk, etc., so, you know, the essentials.
The *internet access – wireless (Wi-Fi [free] in all rooms!) was great. The *Internet access – LAN* was there too. So, points for all the tech.
Now, here's where the cracks start to show. My luggage…it took a while to appear. The luggage storage was apparently handling a crisis with the luggage, and a little more empathy would have gone a long way. Minor inconvenience, I know, but it coloured my mood. Also, the room decorations were a bit… dated. But hey, it's France, maybe that's part of the charm?
Accessibility & Good Intentions (and the Stairwell of Doom)
Right, so the elevator access was there, which is great. They had Facilities for disabled guests, so I can't say with hard facts that I found it was truly friendly to a wheelchair accessible guest, as I was not one.
Spa, Relaxation, and the Pursuit of Bliss (and Maybe a Nap)
Okay, spa time! Pool with a view was the promise. Swimming pool [outdoor] it was. The sauna and steamroom were decent, nothing mind-blowing. The massage was… okay. I've had better, I've had worse. The Body scrub and Body wrap options were available too, if that is your thing. Looked interesting, though. I didn’t try the Foot bath. The Fitness center… well, let's just say it was small. And if you're easily intimidated by gym equipment, steer clear. I was not there, so the Gym/fitness experience wasn't something I went through. And ways to relax? Let's just say the whole thing has a Spa/sauna thing going on.
Food, Glorious Food (and That Croissant Again!)
The restaurants, plural, were a mixed bag. The Breakfast [buffet] was the star, as mentioned. The A la carte in restaurant option was available, the salad in restaurant was a bit boring. The Soup in restaurant was… edible. The Asian cuisine in restaurant was available as well. The Poolside bar was a nice touch for a late afternoon. The Snack bar was good for a quick bite. The coffee shop was… serviceable, I'll say. Desserts in restaurant were good, the Bottle of water appeared magically. And, they have a Vegetarian restaurant, which is good to see!
Cleanliness, Safety, and the Modern Nightmare (and Hand Sanitizer)
Right, this is important. Cleanliness and safety were paramount, it felt. Lots of hand sanitizer around and the Staff trained in safety protocol. Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas – all the good stuff, and rooms sanitized between stays. They offer Room sanitization opt-out available, as well. Safe dining setup, too. Individually-wrapped food options (for the most part) and Sanitized kitchen and tableware items. The Physical distancing of at least 1 meter. They even had a Doctor/nurse on call.
And as a bonus, the Cashless payment service was available.
Services & Conveniences (and Where Things Get Chaotic)
Ah, the Services and conveniences. Okay. Concierge was helpful… some of the time. The Doorman was great! The Daily housekeeping folks were nice. But the Laundry service? Took forever. They also have Ironing service. Cash withdrawal was easy, but the Currency exchange seemed a bit off.
They have Family/child friendly options. The Babysitting service had mixed reviews. Kids meal was available. Kids facilities. The Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site] was a lifesaver, because parking can be a nightmare in this region. Also, the Car power charging station. Breakfast in room, of course. The Airport transfer was good. Oh, the Taxi service was a bit pricey. Valet parking was there.
Business Stuff (and the Meeting Room of Boredom)
For those travelling for work, Business facilities were available, Meeting/banquet facilities, and Seminars. Meeting stationery. Sigh. Audio-visual equipment for special events. Indoor venue for special events Outdoor venue for special events They provide an Invoice provided. Projector/LED display. Xerox/fax in business center.
For the Kids (and a Quiet Moment)
Baby sitting service. Family/child friendly. Kids meal Kids facilities
Things to Do (and Escaping My Own Head)
Montelimar itself? Delightful. The Beausoleil is a decent base for exploring. Things to do: sight-seeing, enjoying the location, and escaping, maybe.
The Verdict (and That Final Croissant Farewell)
Look, Hotel Beausoleil is a mixed bag. It has potential. The staff is generally friendly, it's got some nice amenities, and that damn croissant… it's unforgettable. But here's the thing: it's not perfect. It felt like they were trying, they are going the extra mile (the safety measures for example) But the little imperfections – the slow luggage service, the slightly dated decor – they add up. Some people might like that, it can give the place some character. I wouldn't call it luxury, but if you are not expecting a grand palace, you very well might enjoy it.
Final Score: 7.5/10. Go for the croissants. And maybe lower your expectations a teensy bit. You'll probably have a pretty good time.
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Okay, buckle up, buttercups. This isn't your polished, Instagram-perfect travel itinerary. This is the raw, unfiltered, slightly chaotic truth of a trip to Hotel Beausoleil in Montelimar, France. And honestly? It’s gonna be a wild ride.
The "I'm So French I Could Cry" Itinerary (And Probably Will At Some Point)
Day 1: Arrival & Immediate Panic
- Time: 6:00 AM (ish) - The Great Departure…or, More Like, Surviving The Airport – Dragging myself out of bed, I'm pretty sure I resembled a zombie fueled by instant coffee and denial. My flight was at a ridiculous hour (curse you, budget airlines!), and the airport chaos was already in full swing. TSA? More like TSA-grief.
- Time: 1:00 PM (ish)- Landing in Lyon and Praying for the Train - After a flight that felt longer than the Middle Ages (seriously, how do babies survive those things?), finally! Lyon. Finding my way to the train station? A complete cluster. My French consists of "Bonjour" and "un croissant," which is helpful in zero situations involving directional signage. Eventually, I stumble (literally) onto the right train. This is already a triumph.
- Time: 4:00 PM - Arrival at Montelimar & Immediately Wanting to Nap - The train was idyllic, all rolling hills and sunshine. Montelimar itself is adorable. And then I saw the hotel. The Hotel Beausoleil. It's…well, it's something. Let's just say the website photos were generous. The lobby smells faintly of old perfume and…maybe mothballs? (Don't judge. I've been on planes for ages and was desperate for a shower.) But the staff! SO friendly! Smiling, welcoming, and genuinely seemed thrilled to have me. Maybe the mothballs are a feature?
- Time: 4:30 PM - Room, A "Cozy" Surprise - The room. Oh. The room. Let's call it "charming" in the most charitable sense. It's small. Very small. The floral wallpaper might be older than my grandmother. And the view? Well, it's of a brick wall. But hey, the bed looks comfy, and that's all that matters after a day like this. I'm still trying to process the fact that I have to survive a week in a room and I think I'll cry!
- Time: 6:00 PM - Dinner (and Possibly a Meltdown) - Found a tiny bistro in town. Ordered something that sounded delicious ("cassoulet," they said!), but ended up being…well, it tasted like beans. Lots and lots of beans. I had this internal debate: Is the cassoulet actually the devil? Or is it just…not for me. I ate it anyway, because: French. The waiter spoke no English, and I spoke very little French. There were a lot of shrugs and pointing. And the wine? Amazing. Saved the evening, obviously. Also, there were a lot of loud French people talking, but it was beautiful!
- Time: 8:00 PM - Bedtime (And Praying for Sleep) - Collapsed into the "charming" bed, exhausted and slightly emotional. Did I mention I'm on a solo trip? I talked to my reflection. I'm trying to keep this whole trip as "relaxing" as possible, but I think my nerves are at an all-time high.
Day 2: Nougat & Existential Dread
- Time: 9:00 AM - Breakfast & The Quest for Coffee - The hotel breakfast. It's included. That means it already gets a plus. The coffee, however, is questionable. It's more, uh, "tan-colored water" than coffee. I'm starting to become a regular at the bakery across the street.
- Time: 10:00 AM - The Montelimar Nougat Factory (The High Point of My Life!) - Okay, this was actually awesome. The nougat! Pure, sweet, almondy perfection! I bought so much I'm pretty sure I'll be sick for a week. The tour was interesting, and learned some French words (mostly about nuts and sugar, which is all that matters, right?) Also, free samples. A lot of free samples. My blood sugar has never been happier.
- Time: 1:00 PM - Lunch (and More Beans? Nope!) - Found a little sandwich shop and had a Croque Monsieur that was perfect. No beans insight. Good.
- Time: 2:00 PM - Wandering the Town & Feeling Lost (Literally and Figuratively) - Montelimar is pretty, but I can't shake this feeling of being completely and utterly lost. Not just geographically, but, like, in life. Am I enjoying myself? Should I be doing more? Why am I eating so much nougat? Existential crisis achieved.
- Time: 6:00 PM - Dinner (Another Bistro, Another Attempt) and Praying to the French Gods that I Like the Meal - I was starving. In order to prevent another beans disaster, the waiter came to the rescue! I ordered the steak-frites (steak and french fries) It was the most basic, yet incredible meal I ever had!
- Time: 8:00 PM - "Cozy" Room Again - It feels like a second home (in the most claustrophobic way possible). Now I've found out that the hotel does have a tiny balcony. And I love it! I had an epic moment where I sat on the balcony in silence and watched the sky. Bliss.
Day 3: The Chateau Mystery
- Time: 9:00 AM - Croissant & Black Coffee. - The bakery is now my religion. The coffee, still tan-colored water.
- Time: 10:00 AM - Chateau de Grignan - The chateau was breathtaking. It was huge and old and full of history. I took a lot of pictures, and tried to piece together what it was like to live way back when, in a castle!
- Time: 1:00 PM -Lunch I was a bit early and the place was empty, but I ordered a salad and asked for water.
- Time: 3:00 PM - Walking around and getting lost - I'm good at this now.
- Time: 6:00 PM - Dinner at Hotel Beausoleil Restaurant - I didn't want to go out. So I stayed in the hotel. And had the best meal of my life!
- Time: 8:00 PM - Writing - Journaling.
Day 4: Nougat Overload
- Day 4 is the same, except for the best nougat overloard that I could dream of.
Day 5-6: More of the Same (And That's Okay)
- Time: The pattern of the last few days. - I'm getting into a comfortable routine. I'm finally starting to relax a little! I'm discovering hidden spots in Montelimar. I'm making small talk with the bakery owner (in broken French). And I'm realizing that being alone, isn't so bad after all.
- The good.
- Taking a class.
- Reading in the park.
- The bad.
- Having to find somewhere new to eat.
- Having to meet new people to communicate.
- The good.
Day 7: Au Revoir (And a Plea for More Nougat)
- Time: 8:00 AM - One Last Croissant - I'm going to miss these things.
- Time: 9:00 AM - Packing (and Questioning My Life Choices) - Did I really need to buy all that nougat? Probably. Will I ever wear half the clothes I brought? Absolutely not. Do I want to go home? Not really.
- Time: 10:00 AM - The Great Goodbye - The staff at Hotel Beausoleil are genuinely sad to see me go. I feel a pang of sadness, too. The imperfections, the slightly dingy room, the questionable coffee… it all kind of grew on me. It's a place full of character.
- Time: 11:00 AM - Packing & Train - The train, finally! And a promise to myself: Come back to Montelimar someday. And definitely bring a bigger suitcase for the nougat.
- Time: 1:00 PM - Heading Home - I miss the hotel already!
Post-Trip Thoughts (aka, The Rambling Aftermath)
Okay, so this trip wasn't perfect. There were moments of disorientation, carb overload, and existential angst. I got lost. I ate too much nougat. My French is still terrible. But you know what? It was perfect in its own messy way. It was real. It was honest. It was me, stumbling around in a
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Okay, so… what *is* this place, exactly? Is it actually "Paradise"?
"Paradise"? Hmm, that's a bold claim, even for a hotel with a decent name. Let's just say, Escape to Paradise: Hotel Beausoleil is like finding a slightly dusty, but charming, antique amidst a sea of shiny IKEA furniture. It's a small hotel tucked away in Montelimar, France, and honestly? It's a bit of a love-it-or-hate-it situation. I've been there. I've loved it. And I've nearly driven the poor desk clerk crazy with my demands.
It’s not the Ritz. Forget that. Think… a lovingly restored (maybe *slightly* in need of a touch-up, depending on your room) historic building with quirky decor, a surprising level of cleanliness (I'm picky, I swear!), and a certain… *je ne sais quoi* that just sticks with you. It’s not perfect. But it's definitely memorable.
What kind of people go there? Will I feel out of place?
Well, that's the fun part, isn't it? You'll find everyone from stressed-out business travelers (bless their souls, they probably need exactly what this hotel offers) to couples seeking a romantic getaway (be prepared for some serious PDA in the breakfast area, trust me), and maybe, just maybe, a few eccentric adventurers like myself. I swear I saw a guy in a beret once, but I can't swear to it.
Honestly? You will fit in if you're open to a little… *quirkiness*. If you're the type to complain about a slightly uneven tile or a slightly creaky floorboard, maybe this isn't your place. But if you're up for embracing the unique, imperfections and all, you'll be just fine. Just be prepared to chat with your fellow guests – the communal breakfast table practically *demands* it.
Okay, the rooms. Spill the beans. What are they *really* like?
Alright, the rooms. This is where things get… interesting. They're definitely not cookie-cutter hotel rooms. They're all different, which is part of the charm and the potential for frustration. I remember being shown three rooms before I settled on one and that particular one had a four-poster bed that looked a bit like it was originally used as a ship's mast. Cool, right?
**The good:** They are clean (crucial!), often spacious (again, depending on the room!), and filled with antique furniture. The windows actually *open*, letting in that wonderful French air (or, you know, the occasional scent of the local chocolate factory – bonus!). Also, my room had a balcony. A balcony! Perfect for sipping wine and pretending to be French.
**The less good:** The decor is definitely… *eclectic*, let’s say. Think: floral wallpaper, maybe a slightly wonky painting or two, and enough knick-knacks to make your grandmother envious. And as I said: some may have a slightly creaky floor (you know, character!). The plumbing, well, that's French plumbing for you. Sometimes a little… temperamental. But the beds are comfy. That's the most important thing.
The food! Tell me about breakfast. Is it *actually* good?
Breakfast! Ah, the breakfast. This is where Hotel Beausoleil REALLY shines, or at least, where my personal love affair with the place truly began! I mean, okay, it's not a buffet, not the massive American-style breakfast. But the croissants? OMG the croissants! Flaky, buttery, pure heaven! They were the catalyst for my own personal French Revolution, the start of every day.
Then there's the coffee, real French coffee, the kind that tastes like you could get up and start reciting poetry (though I never quite got there.) There's bread and jam (try the apricot!), fresh fruit, yogurt… nothing fancy, but everything is absolutely delicious and made with care. And the communal breakfast table? See above. Conversation is pretty much mandatory, and you might just make a friend or two.
What about the location? Is it convenient?
The location is great! It's in the heart of Montelimar, which, let's be honest, is a pretty charming town. You’re within easy walking distance of the nougat shops (essential!), restaurants, and the historic center. I spent a whole afternoon wandering the streets, getting utterly lost (in a good way), and stumbling upon hidden gardens and cafes.
It's also close to some lovely day trips. You could go to the Ardèche gorges, visit the villages of the Drôme… so many choices! You're going to need a car if you head to the gorges, and, just saying, make sure you have some basic French phrases down, because… well, French communication sometimes isn’t the friendliest (but the food will win you over).
Okay, so you *clearly* have feelings about this place – what's the biggest *thing* that stands out to you?
Alright, deep breath. The *thing* that sticks with me, the thing that makes Hotel Beausoleil truly special, isn't a specific feature or a fancy amenity. It's the feeling. It's the feeling of being transported somewhere unique, somewhere authentic.
I remember one day, I had gotten *completely* lost in the city. Frustrated, hungry, and starting to question my life decisions, I stumbled back to the hotel. I walked in, and the woman at the desk (who, by the way, had the patience of a saint) just smiled and said, "Bienvenue, madame." Suddenly, all the stress melted away. I ordered a glass of wine, plopped myself down on a plush armchair, and felt… *settled*. Like I'd come home. That's the thing. It’s not just a hotel; it's a haven. A little messy, a little imperfect, but a haven. And that, my friend, is priceless.
Any dealbreakers? Anything to be aware of?
Okay, let's be real. Some people might find the lack of a lift a problem. If you're on the top floor, you'll be hauling your luggage up some stairs. The wifi, while available, isn't theFind Secret Hotel Deals
