So my running-in period is now completed. We hit the magic 2,000 miles yesterday, just after leaving Honfleur to catch the Eurotunnel, home. We counted the last miles down 1,998 then 1,999 and then finally 2,000. Our friends joined in via the walkie-talkie system we have been using to keep close contact, as they were travelling directly behind us.
We have returned home with 2,262 miles on the clock. Started at 431 miles so the run-in tour was 1,831 miles in total, over ten days (of which seven were travel days). I have not ever used France before for this exercise but certainly can recommend it, to get the miles out the way with easy driving (France quiet at this time of year) on good roads.
We have stayed at six Relais & Châteaux hotels on this trip to run-in the GTS, around France, three on the outbound journey and three on the return leg. We drove a tad over 1,800 miles in ten days, door2door.
For fun decided to score then against our benchmark, Michael Caines at Lympstone Manor near Exmouth, Devon in the following areas:
Location = L
Service = S
Food = F
Accommodation = A
Overall = O
Champagne, Vinay, Hostellerie La Briqueterie
L 8
S 8
F 8
A 8
O 8
Our first time here. In the past stayed at Royal Champagne (RC) the other side of Epernay…we last visited in 2013. RC now reopened after having been closed for some 4 years. If you remember the old Royal Champagne you will not be impressed by the complete modernisation that’s taken place. It looks like a hospital. The new owners from Monaco have created something that seems very out of character with the area. Nothing of the old hotel remains. Very sad. Vinay is a quality venue with style. We all enjoyed and would visit again. We could park the cars in a private garage. A lovely blue Bentley Continental Convertible from around 30 years old (X Plate) joined us.
Burgundy, Boismorand, Auberge des Templiers
L 6
S 6
F 8
A 7
O 7
They don’t get many Brits visiting. This is one of the original Relais’s from the 1950s. Again, food service was good outside of eating it was poor. I would not recommend. The chef is talented but rest of experience does not support going again.
Dordogne,Brantôme, Moulin de l’Abbaye
L 10
S 9
F 9
A 9
O 9
The most amazing venue and the service was tip-top for everything. The food was lovely. Must visit again. The Maitre d’ had spent time with Marco Pierre White in London and at the Royal Crescent in Bath. Parked the cars in a cave (secure).
Bordeaux, Pauillac, Chateau Cordeillan-Bages
L 10
S 7
F 10
A 9
O 9
This is our third visit in last eight years. It’s owned by the family that owns Ch. Lynch Bages. The food is way up the scale. A very talented new chef, who is a young man in his late 20’s. from Normandy The service level was average when outside of the restaurant department. The rooms recently upgraded to a very high standard.
Brittany, Billiers, Point Pen Lan , Domaine de Rochevilaine,
L 10
S 8
F 9
A 7
O 8 to 9
The venue is amazing and the food and wines are tough to beat. I would visit again. It’s very popular so you must book well ahead. The Sommelier had spent time with Simon Rogan at L’enclume at Cartmel and with him at the Midland Hotel in Manchester. We decided to spent two days here. It was the right decision. Our room was a tad tired. The common areas carpets for example don’t look like been renewed since Spa and a Pool was built some 20 years ago. Spa and pool area very good.
Normandy, Honfleur, La Ferme Saint-Simeon
L 10
S 8
F 9
A 9
O 9
Did we leave the best to last? Well I have to admit this was a real surprise. It over delivered on the style and elegance. The farming history with the Monet connection from 150 years ago was quite amazing. I would definitely return. The Sommelier was another with a UK background this time from the North of England and had a great sense of humour.
Overall, we found compared to UK pricing, the rooms are typically cheaper, but they recover this by being more expensive on the food and drink. So overall a par on pricing I would say.
