The best hotels in Loire Valley

This small family-run hotel sits on Place Richelieu, a short walk from the Château d'Amboise and the Leonardo da Vinci museum. Rooms are simple and dated but kept very clean, with decent beds and functional bathrooms. The staff speak good English and hand out genuinely useful local tips. Breakfast is basic but included in most rates. A solid base for exploring the eastern Loire Valley without spending much.

The hotel occupies a classic building on Rue d'Orléans, about ten minutes on foot from the Château de Saumur and the Loire riverbank. Rooms vary in size so ask for one of the larger doubles facing the courtyard rather than the street. The price is hard to argue with for the central location. Parking nearby is easy and affordable. Good for a one or two night stop while touring the Anjou wine region.

This 18th-century manor on Quai Charles Guinot overlooks the Loire and has one of the most beautiful gardens in Amboise. Rooms are traditionally decorated with antique furniture and updated bathrooms. The on-site restaurant uses produce from local farms and pairs well with regional Touraine wines. Service is attentive without being intrusive. The terrace breakfast with river views is one of the better starts to a morning in the Loire Valley.

This 13th-century château sits above the Loire just outside Amboise, surrounded by woods and vineyards. It feels genuinely historic without being musty, and the stone-walled rooms have been updated thoughtfully. The restaurant is small and reservations are recommended even for guests. Very quiet at night, which is either a selling point or a drawback depending on what you want. A good pick for travelers who want a real château experience at a mid-range price.

Located in a quiet residential area of Saint-Symphorien, this hotel is a ten-minute drive from the centre of Tours and well-positioned for day trips across the valley. The grounds include a pool and a pleasant garden, which makes it popular with families in summer. Rooms are comfortably furnished and reliable in the Best Western style. The included breakfast is better than average with local cheeses and pastries. Free parking is a real bonus for road-trippers.

The Diderot is a classic townhouse hotel on Rue de Buffon, set around a courtyard filled with wisteria in spring. It is two blocks from the medieval market square and an easy walk up to the Château de Chinon. Rooms are individually decorated, a bit eclectic, and full of character. The owners are passionate about local wine and happy to recommend producers in the nearby Chinon appellation. Breakfast includes homemade jams and fresh bread from the local bakery.

Staying here puts you steps from the Royal Abbey of Fontevraud, the burial site of the Plantagenet kings. The hotel is a converted priory building with stone floors, vaulted ceilings, and a calm atmosphere that suits the setting. Rooms are modern inside with good beds and well-designed bathrooms. The restaurant is worth dining in at least one evening. Fontevraud is a small village so plan on a car if you want to explore the wider region.

This 19th-century château in Onzain sits between Blois and Amboise in the heart of the valley and is surrounded by a private park. The interior is furnished with period antiques and the overall feel is of a grand private home rather than a commercial hotel. Rooms are spacious and quiet, with no television to distract from the setting. Breakfasts are served in the formal dining room and are very generous. A good base for visiting both Château de Chambord and Château de Cheverny.

This Renaissance château owned by the Prince de Broglie offers suites and rooms across the main château and garden pavilions on a 60-acre estate. The grounds include one of France's finest kitchen gardens, with over 700 tomato varieties grown in summer. Rooms are genuinely luxurious with period furnishings, canopied beds, and large marble bathrooms. The pool area and spa are peaceful and well-maintained. Montlouis-sur-Loire is also an underrated wine appellation, and the château can arrange tastings with local producers.

This Relais and Châteaux property sits within a private forest estate between Blois and Amboise and is consistently one of the top-rated hotels in the entire Loire Valley. The two-Michelin-star restaurant is the centerpiece, and dinner here is genuinely exceptional. Rooms in the main 19th-century hunting lodge are the most atmospheric, with high ceilings and antique furnishings. The staff anticipate needs without hovering. Guests have use of bicycles, a heated pool, and a private lake. Worth every euro for a special occasion.