Château de Pray is the splurge on this list and the one that feels most like the Loire of the guidebooks. It stands at Chargé, on the south bank of the river close to Amboise, in a wooded park with French formal gardens and a terrace. The hotel has nineteen rooms, from family rooms to superior rooms with bathtubs or walk-in showers, and a restaurant with one Michelin star, which is often the reason guests choose it. There is a heated pool that is open from May to September, and the hotel is recognised for welcoming cyclists, a nice fit with the Loire à Vélo route. It is the right choice for a couple on a special trip or anyone who wants to wake up in a château rather than visit one, and its position means Amboise, Clos Lucé and Chenonceau are all within a short drive.
Location and getting around
Château de Pray is in the countryside, not in Amboise itself, so a car or taxi is the practical way to reach the town, the château and the station. The drive to the centre of Amboise takes only a few minutes, and Chenonceau is about a quarter of an hour further.
Cyclists can ride the Loire à Vélo route from the door, and the hotel's cyclist-friendly status means bikes are welcome. If you plan to rely on trains, a town hotel is easier; if you have a car, the setting is the point.
The rooms and the grounds
With only nineteen rooms, the atmosphere is calm and personal. Rooms vary in size and layout, so say whether you need a family room, a bath or a shower when you book. The park is a real feature, with old trees and the French garden and terrace where breakfast and drinks are served in good weather. In November the garden is bare but peaceful, and the pool is closed, so the appeal shifts to the restaurant, the fireside and the walks in the grounds.
Who it suits and what to know: the restaurant has a Michelin star and is in demand, so reserve a table when you book the room, and ask about its weekly closing days, which are typical of small restaurants. Winter opening dates can vary for small château-hotels, so confirm that the hotel is open for your dates before you book. Rates are at the top of the range on this list and rise in summer and at weekends, and breakfast is usually charged separately.
Why stay here
- ✓One-Michelin-star restaurant
- ✓Wooded park with French formal gardens
- ✓Garden terrace
- ✓Heated pool (May to September)
- ✓19 rooms, including family rooms
- ✓Cyclist-friendly (Accueil Vélo)
- ✓Minutes from Amboise
- ✓Quiet countryside setting
Good questions
Is Château de Pray in Amboise?+
It is in the village of Chargé, on the south bank of the Loire, a few minutes by car from the centre of Amboise. A car or taxi is the practical way to reach the town and the station.
Is the pool open in November?+
No, the heated pool is open from May to September. In low season guests enjoy the restaurant, the park and the quiet.
Does the hotel have a restaurant?+
Yes, a restaurant with one Michelin star. Reserve a table when you book your room, and check which days it is closed.
