Le Manoir les Minimes

Le Manoir les Minimes is a lovely 18th-century manor built on the site of a 13th-century convent, convenient to the wonderful town of Amboise with its intriguing streets and shops. The hotel has a spectacular location in the shadow of the château right on the river’s edge, surrounded by acres of gardens and embraced by an old stone wall. Furnishings are elegant, with antiques and attractive color schemes. The salon is spacious and formal in a wash of warm yellow, while the breakfast room is light and pretty. The hotel offers eleven guestrooms in the main building and four in the facing annex. All the rooms have large beds that can convert to twins. A first-floor room is easily accessed by those who have difficulty with stairs and is also the one truly handicapped-fitted room. At the top of the first stairway is the most spectacular room (10), a corner suite decorated in beiges and creams with magnificent views both of the flowing river and up to the crowning château. I also adored the end corner suite (14) decorated in handsome blues. There are several superior rooms on the second floor, which have glimpses of the Loire and are equipped with every modern convenience, while on the third floor are some great-value rooms. The rooms in the annex are spacious and very handsome in their decor.