La Nauve, Hôtel & Jardin - Relais & Châteaux

Gorgeous grounds and accommodations. The woodwork alone in the room lets you know this is not a typical hotel, not even a typical luxury hotel. The staff is beyond accommodating. They arranged in room massages for us upon arrival after our international flight and train rides. The next day they set us up cooking classes as a fabulous restaurant in Jarnac. It’s only a 30-40 minute walk to town center of Cognac. Highly recommend. I should have asked about making the room cooler at night. Finally got up and opened the patio door which made all the difference.

We had a Junior suite. What a wonderful experience, perfect room, very clean, modern and new. Everything here is beautiful. Not a good valet parking (was in his day off when we arrived), the Brasserie restaurant (the one outside in the garden) had the worst service and food, while the other one, who aimes for a Michelin star, was just perfect from all points of view, service included.

Attention to detail is exceptional not only the design and craftmanship but the high end staff as well. A modern approach to luxury that was very much appreciated. Special thanks to Jodie who’s service was so warm and welcoming.

From the moment we entered the gates we were warmly welcomed, cosseted and overwhelmed by the professionalism of the staff. The main house and surrounding buildings are exquisite, and the immediate gardens a peaceful haven. The tasteful restorations are contemporary but still retain the atmosphere of the period. The larger gardens are being developed but one can see that in a couple of years they will be spectacular. Our room, in an adjacent house, was comfortable, well equipped, with a private terrace and garden and so, so quiet. We dined at The Brasserie and ate really well. The menu is small but varied. The service was excellent. Breakfast, served outside on the terrace overlooking the garden, was delicious, and the choice extensive. We loved the daily petit pain to share. We can’t recommend La Nauve highly enough and are impatient to return for a longer stay and to discover the surrounding countryside.

This is a spectacular restoration of a beautiful building and garden, albeit in somewhat decrepit surroundings. The quality and subtlety of the finishes throughout is uncompromising and executed as-if money was no object. The same can be said of the attentiveness of the staff and the quality of the food. So I feel like the pauper princess who, once in her feather bed, complained about a pea under the mattress. But it has to be asked why the quality of the bedding does not match that of all the rest?

Style over substance. Arrival - We booked the hotel over the phone & specifically asked not to be put in the Chai as it is a separate building to the hotel. When we arrived, we were taken directly to a Chai room & had to request to be moved. The guests in the room next door to us sounded like they were actually in the room with us, which was not a problem in the afternoon but after dinner they were very loud. Terrible set up with no soundproofing. Lunch - Creepy Crawley running through the restaurant. When the waitress was told she ignored it & left it on the floor next to my chair. We ordered a 2nd lot of potatoes with lunch that were completely burnt on arrival, we asked for them to be replaced but they didn’t come until after we had finished the meal. As we were waiting for the potatoes we were asked if we wanted more bread but they failed to bring us any. Dinner - The evening meal was tasteless, under seasoned & unimaginative. Not the gastronomic experience we were promised. We ordered champagne with dinner that was warm. Breakfast - served in the library on chairs that were so low it was like sitting on the floor, whilst the dining room had no one in it. Weird uncomfortable set up. The waitress at breakfast was constantly coughing into her hands & wiping them down her trousers, no sign of any hand gel. When my coffee was served, I found one of her hairs in it. Disgusting.

This is how a country hotel should be. Gorgeous decorations, impeccable service and superb cuisine. We spent a few nights at La Nauve and can not compliment it enough. The renovation of the property was done to the highest standards, the service is next level and management is very attentive to every detail. The casual restaurant is very good and the gastronomic restaurant is worthy of 1 if not 2 stars. We had an amazing stay

A stunning conversion of a cognac facility into a hotel. Room was luxurious and well equipped. Service from staff was exemplary and couldn’t do too much to be of service. Great breakfast to end a short stay. We are looking forward to our stay next year in drier weather.

A short stay, but still it allowed us to appreciate : - excellent service, with very well-trained, friendly, always available and discreet staff - the quality of all furnishing/anemities, most of them worthy of a palace if not better - a quite remarkable dinner offered by a chef keen to use local produce As a slightly negative point, let's mention the mattress, too hard in my opinion The establishment has just opened, but everything is already perfectly in place. We wonder whether the considerable sums invested will ever pay off, but in any case we wish this exceptional establishment a long life.