Normally, leaving one's lovely chateau--and this one IS lovely--to drive a short distance for dinner is not too trying, but Chateau Grattequina is set back quite a distance from the road, and their modest entry-gate is one too-easily missed on the long and unlit road, even for those who have been in residence for a few nights and are relying upon GPS. Add some excellent Bordeaux for dinner, and the task of returning to the Chateau after a lovely repast, maneuvering the mulitple turnabouts (no traffic lights in these parts), takes some of the "rest" out of the vacation.
The Chateau itself is something of a fraud, but don't let that bother you, as the details have been reproduced so truthfully and lovingly that you would never discover it if they, themselves, did not come clean. The rooms are large, comfortable, charming and very artfully decorated; we had a corner room and the views out the large windows were extensive.
The bath is very well-appointed, large, and comfortable. The rooms are exceptionally clean, fresh and uncluttered, and lovely by any standard. Compliments to their decorator.
Grattequina is on a river-- the Girande-- if memory serves, and surrounded by working farmland. Breakfast is a joy, when they have not run out of croissants, which did happen once, and I was quite surprised that this did not seem to them the emergency that it did, of course, seem to me, as really, why else get up in the morning in France? But never mind; the staff was lovely and helpful, and breakfast could be taken either inside a charming breakfast room or outdoors on the terrace overlooking the Girande, even mid-October, which we did.
We selected this establishment because we were seeking a chateau in proximity to Bordeaux.
This was a bit farther out than we would have liked, but not impossibly so, and city itself was a splendid surprise, even on the rainy day we happened to be there. Do not miss Bordeaux, and if you cannot find a closer-in Chateau and if you can handle roundabouts after a dinner with good wine, and the lack of availablity of food after breakfast, Grattequina will not otherwise disappoint.
The restaurant to which we were directed (name escapes me now but don't worry, they have it) is less than a ten-minute, uncomplicated drive, and also sits along the river. Food is authentic and reasonably-priced, and there is a large outdoor area along the river. We were there in early-to mid-October, and the place was fairly dead, but I can just see it on a summer's night; I have no doubt the crowds are extensive and joyous, and the evenings there just lovely. There was a credit card issue--either they took none, or didn't take American Express. Check with management before going.
We were also directed to a more expensive (fancy) restaurant (name also escapes me) which was both expensive and fancy, but we actually preferred the food and ambiance at the simpler place, where we dined every night they were open.
We felt rather removed from civilization in this location; to our knowledge there were no shops nearby where we might have collected some cheeses, breads, meats and wine for a "picnic" of our own, and thus no way to avoid driving to dinner. It struck us that since they have a banquet facility next door, they would better serve their clientelle by making available this sort of thing during the course of the day. We felt the lack of access to food made the stay somewhat less luxurious than it otherwise could have been, as if management didn't quite "get it" in terms of what ought to be, with his charming property, luxury accomodations.