Review of Le Relais Des Chartreuses 3*

What an absolute joy of a place to visit! We couldn't recommend it higher. We were travelling from the UK to Spain and wanted to find a hotel which offered a little more interest than the standard roadside motel/hotel and came across this one on one of the booking sites. I have some standing/walking difficulty and emailed following the booking to ask about a lift in the hotel. Unfortunately, they confirmed there wasn't one but that they could offer me a room in what we now affectionately call 'the pool house'. It's a newly refurbished room at the side of the pool next to the car park but overlooks the hills above Perpignan (I think) ; the outlook from the terrace is incredible. Now I should point out that there are a couple of rooms (or so) at this level one of them being a suite which sleeps up to four people, like a little cottage really, again with a terrace over looking the hills/forest land. If you struggle with steps, it may be a little challenge for you as there is a long staircase up to a terrace again with astonishing views and rounding the corner to reception is the loveliest of terraces shaded by well established trees and shrubbery. Plenty of tables and chairs all ready for people to relax and enjoy the laid back atmosphere; it really is idyllic. Reception and the restaurant is accessed at this level along with the remaining rooms (which I never got to see unfortunately). There are a couple of areas within the dining room where initially you can sit and enjoy drinks around a beautiful log fire and then seating is within the same space but full of interesting little areas; a library and so forth. There is then an additional extension to the front of the dining area over looking that terrace I spoke of at the top of the outside stairs. It's a lovely little room which we enjoyed for both breakfast and dinner enjoying the morning sun and the views again in the evening. Dinner (for us anyway) was unusual. It's basically a set three-course menu which for most would be lovely, if not outstanding but I am a nightmare when it comes to food with a very limited pallet so I'm afraid it was probably wasted on me but if there is something you particularly don't like, the hotel will offer an alternative. I don't really like fish or mushrooms actually and there seemed to be a lot of both on the menu's but everyone else cleared their plates pretty quickly including my partner who raved about the food afterward. It does seem quite expensive at (I think it was €38 each) but the quality was fabulous. There's obviously a very talented chef working there who produces some outstanding food and well worth a visit just to experience the dinners. The hotel is spotlessly clean, breakfast was fabulous and the staff were very welcoming and looked after us really, really well so much so that we will be staying again on the way back. Lovely, lovely place and a well deserved 5 out of 5 stars.