Chambres d hotes (B & B)

I often get ask by non Europeans What is a Chambres d Hotes

The short answer is it’s a home away from home. The literally translation means guest rooms its a French-style bed and breakfast: for one or several nights, where you'll be warmly welcomed into a converted private residence with a maximum of 5 guestrooms. This however gives the assurance that chambers d’Hotes always are cosy and enjoyable and an excellent way to get acquainted with the French way of life and to learn and appreciate the local French kitchen.

 Always included in the price of an overnight stay is a hearty breakfast, the perfect opportunity to discover local specialities. Depending on the particular chambers d hotes and the culinary inspiration of your host, you'll enjoy homemade jams and pastries, fresh bread, local cheeses and dairy products, and regional charcuterie. Begin your day with a friendly French breakfast.

 At Cauteret Gramont we have one double guest room with private bathroom and a flexible family suite, which consists of 2 bedrooms with private bathroom, which can be let also as a double. The maximum number of guests is 7. So for a small family or group of friends it’s like renting your own hotel with private staff to prepare you breakfast and dinner if required and to service the rooms on a daily basis. You are on holiday so who wants to spend their day making beds and cooking

When meals are served (table d’Hotes) you enjoy original French dishes and dinner together with host and hostess. A table d'hote meal will allow you to share a family or gourmet meal. The table d'hote is only available to persons staying at the Chambres d hotes (it is not a restaurant). So you will not been given a choice of menu, But at Cauteret we do ensure that we only serve food that you will eat and like. It is normal for guests all to eat together in the evening with the hosts,. This however for some is very hard to understand but its all part of getting acquainted with your hosts and other guests. However if we have no other guests eating that evening and you prefer to eat on your own without the hosts this is not a problem and can be arranged

The advantages are obvious; it is cosy, informal and you might get the chance to meet other guests from other countries. Cost is another consideration to bear in mind as staying in a chambers d hotes can make your overall holiday cheaper than self catering or staying in hotels For example a family of 4 (2 adults and 2 children) in our family suite which is 70sm (larger than some apartments) and the added bonus of knowing that there might only be another 2 guests staying to have to share the pool with.

 7 nights high season with breakfast and dinner (including wine and drinks) daily works out at 880 € and low season 814€ The advantage is Mum has no work to do, no cleaning shopping or cooking surely that’s what a holiday is all about
 
Posted by: alan ness on 11 March 2010