H de Surgères

“ H “ de Surgères. From the moment he opened the door Benoit was the perfect host, relating the interesting history of this beautifully presented house and carrying our bags to our room on the first floor. Our room was very large with two windows overlooking the street in front of the house and our ensuite facilities were excellent; spacious, clean with a separate toilet. Rooms at the back overlook a lovely well cared-for garden with a small swimming pool for guests. Like everything in this establishment, breakfast, served in a conservatory, was a treat: a wide range of tasty mostly local food. Each day Benoit baked something special, such as a madeleine or a cookie to provide a final personal touch. Anyone wanting cooked food could get two eggs for a small supplementary cost. Within no more than three or minutes’ walk from the centre of Surgères, there is a choice of restaurants. In fact the nearest is but 25 metres away serving genuine excellent Moroccan food in a special ambience. Free street parking is available at the front door and the main line station with local trains to la Rochelle and Poitiers is at most a 15 minute walk away. This is a Chambres d’Hotes, so a guest house rather than a hotel but it provides a comfortable, relaxing and enjoyable stay. It has most mod cons, though no air conditioning or lift. Electric fans are provided and help with luggage is good-naturedly given by Benoit himself.

Having found the main hotel on the main road in the middle of town my wife looked at me with that ‘what have you brought me to’ look. One should never judge the book by the cover as, once inside the large double doors of the inner yard one finds an extremely well-appointed gite, ideal for us as a couple or a family with two children who would be in bunk beds in an area off the main bedroom, Yes there is a bed settee in the living room cum kitchen but our opinion would be six people might be a bit of a squeeze. The kitchen is small but perfectly usable, we cooked most nights with no problem at all. Outside there is a fair-sized swimming pool with a surround that was almost finished when we stayed as well as an extensive garden leading to the rear of the main hotel where one could get breakfast or an evening meal if one so wanted. All in all a nice place to stay in a small town that has a fascinating history and an extensive park area with the old chateaux and church.

Dont be put off by the front of the hotel that is right on a busy rood , once you walk through the door you are in a superior building with a great quiet large garden with much seating and lovley pool. Patrique could not have been more helpful and provided me with a gluten free breakfast each morning. The only thing that could have been better was a longer stay ! Many thanks to our host and would highly recommend . Regards Steve and Brenda Wildman