Carcassonne Castle Hotel: Unbelievable Medieval Stay (Hotel Le Donjon)
Carcassonne Castle Hotel: Unbelievable Medieval Stay (Hotel Le Donjon) - A Review That's Way Past Perfect (and Probably Overdue!)
Okay, so I finally got around to writing this review. After a trip to Carcassonne Castle Hotel (Hotel Le Donjon, officially, but let's be real, we're calling it the Castle Hotel), I feel… well, mostly still in awe. It’s been several weeks, and I'm still trying to figure out if I dreamed the whole thing.
Accessibility? Yeah, Kind Of… (and a Few Hiccups to Mention!)
First off, let’s talk accessibility. They say they have facilities for disabled guests, and there's an elevator. BUT! This is a castle. Remember that. Everything's stone, the hallways are a bit like secret passageways, and the cobblestone streets leading up? Not exactly wheelchair-friendly. The website does warn about difficulties, so fair play, they're being upfront. However, if you need absolute, effortless wheelchair access, this might not be the fairytale you're looking for. It's doable, potentially, but research is key. I'm giving it a hesitant "kinda-sorta," with a big asterisk.
Room to Roam, or the Feeling of Being Sheltered in Style:
Once you DO get into the hotel, which is an admission of its own, the experience begins. The rooms, are something else. I got a room on a higher floor (thank goodness for the elevator, right?!), and it was… wow. Think heavy drapes, stone walls that probably predate your grandma, and a huge window that opened onto… a view of the entire city. Seriously, breathtaking. There was air conditioning (thank GOD, it got HOT), a safe, and even a little fridge stocked with… well, mostly water. They do provide those little complimentary tea bits and a fancy coffee maker for the caffeine, which is a lifesaver. The beds? Dreamy. I'm talking deep sleep, the kind where you wake up disoriented, wondering what century it is.
The Good Stuff: Spa Days, Pool Views, and the Unexpected Delights
Right, let's talk the good stuff. Because, trust me, there's a lot of it.
The Spa: Okay, the spa at Carcassonne Castle Hotel is not just "good," it's transcendental. I went for a massage. A proper massage. The kind that melts away all the stress from your shoulders, loosens all your knots, and leaves you feeling like you’ve been reborn. A small spa, but the quality is top notch. It was like being kneaded back to life. Then, I went back and made the most of their sauna. Not just a sauna, a fancy sauna. It was a solid 10/10 experience.
The Pool with a View: Forget your average hotel pool. This one? It's perched on a terrace, overlooking… well, the entire damned medieval city of Carcassonne. Pure, unadulterated magic. I could easily spend a whole afternoon there. It actually felt like a movie scene, the sun setting, an amazing drink in my hand (mojito heaven – more on that later), the castle in the distance… just… wow.
The Food (and the Mojitos): Alright, let's dive into the food. The hotel has multiple restaurants, a pool bar, and a coffee shop. The main restaurant offers a buffet at breakfast with all the classics (Western, Asian, etc.), and also an a-la-carte selection. The a la carte options were incredible and I’d highly recommend trying the local dishes. But let's be real, the star of the show for me was the pool bar. It's not just about the food - they have food, of course, like little snacks, but really, it was the mojitos that made it. They had me by the third afternoon, it's like a magic potion!
Cleanliness, Safety, and the COVID-19 World:
Okay, practical stuff. In these COVID times, I was impressed. They're big on the hygiene certifications, the staff wore masks, and there was hand sanitizer everywhere. I wasn't crazy about the pre-wrapped breakfast options, though, a minor quibble. You know. They had the usual stuff like daily disinfection, and things like that.
Services and Quirks:
- Concierge: The concierge was amazing. They knew the city inside and out, and made some excellent recommendations. Booking a taxi, making dinner reservations… they were on it. Pure bliss.
- The Soundproofing: Despite the medieval walls, the rooms are surprisingly soundproofed. (Thank the gods - I needed my sleep.)
- The Terrace: I recommend the terrace. Seriously, it's got a cool view.
The Small Stuff (and a Minor Rant):
- The Labyrinthine Halls: Okay, so the hallways are a maze. I got lost a few times. Wear your sensible shoes.
- The Gift Shop: Decent for souvenirs, but a bit… well, overpriced.
- The Internet: Free Wi-Fi in all rooms. Yay! But the strength? It was… okay. I wouldn't plan on streaming movies. Let me get you over to the negatives, the internet. I mean come on! Some rooms have wifi access, other rooms it’s just, boom, nothing. In 2024. That was some crazy stuff.
- The Ironing: They have ironing services, because you aren’t paying for this otherwise, but I wanted to iron a shirt and apparently it didn't come with an iron. I had to wait and get them to do it.
The Verdict: Book It (After Research!)
Here’s the deal: Carcassonne Castle Hotel is an experience. It's not perfect (the accessibility is a bit of a sticking point, and the internet… Ugh!), but it's undeniably magical. If you're looking for a truly unique stay, a chance to soak in history and luxury, and a taste of the fairytale life, then book it. Just… do your research on accessibility first. And then pack your suitcase, your sense of adventure, and your camera. You're in for a treat.
P.S. Forget bringing the kids. It's a couple's thing. Or a solo thing to discover yourself. The perfect getaway.
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Alright, buckle up buttercups, 'cause we're about to dive headfirst into my Carcassonne adventure… or at least, the attempt at an adventure. This ain't your glossy brochure, folks. This is real life, with all the spilled coffee, wrong turns, and existential dread a medieval city can offer.
Hotel: Le Donne, or as I call it, The Fortress of Slightly-Too-Thin Walls (Carcassonne, France)
Day 1: Arrival, Apprehension, and the Search for Croissants (or, "My Luggage is Definitely in Kazakhstan")
- 7:00 AM (ish): Wake up in a hotel bed that feels suspiciously like a cloud. Okay, maybe not suspiciously, but definitely luxurious. This is my little castle for the next few days.
- 8:00 AM : The plan was to be a model traveler and explore Carcassonne early in the day, but let's be honest my bed had other plans.
- 8:30 AM: Attempt to find the breakfast buffet. Success! Except, the croissants, oh the croissants…They were hard as rocks, which is not ideal.
- 9:30 AM: Drag myself (and my questionable suitcase situation – it’s still not sure where it is) to the city itself. Note to self: cobblestones are beautiful, until your ankles scream.
- 10:00 AM : I finally got to the city! It's really cool and I'm starting to think this trip is going to be okay, though I wasn't totally sure. I'm thinking that Carcassonne is beautiful, but it's got some steep climbs
- 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM: Exploring La Cité: Okay, so it's stunning. Like, seriously, jaw-dropping medieval castle stuff. The ramparts are incredible, the views are killer. I bought a cheesy postcard. I saw a cat that looked suspiciously like it was judging my life choices.
- 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM: Lunch Fiasco: I aimed for a charming little bistro, but my French is terrible. The waiter looked confused, I ordered something that resembled a mystery meat stew, and I ended up getting charged extra for a side I didn't order.
- 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Exploring some more: I felt sad and decided to go to a cafe.
- 4:00 PM: The Emotional Avalanche (or, Why Am I Here?) : That lunch and my luggage situation really hit me hard. Walking the city was beautiful, but it can be exhausting. I was thinking to myself, I'm all alone, and I started to cry. I was really overreacting.
- 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM: Re-evaluation. and Wine (lots of wine!) Back at the hotel, I did one of my favorite things, I relaxed. I drank some wine and realized all the good things this trip had.
- 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM: Dinner. So I went to dinner and and had a perfect meal with more wine.
- 9:00 PM - ????: Passed out in my hotel bed. This place is so hard to be alone in. I have another 3 days to be here.
Day 2: Ramparts, Regret, and Remembering to Breathe (or, "I Think I Saw a Ghost")
- 8:00 AM: Surprisingly, awake! Feeling ambitious, and slightly less jet-lagged. The sun is shining. Time for croissants!
- 9:00 AM - 12:00 AM: Ramparts Redux: Back to the ramparts. I walked along the high wall, and it was scary and exhilarating. I tried to imagine all the battles and sieges that happened there.
- 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: Lunch, the Sequel: Determined to redeem myself, I tried again. This time, I found a tiny, family-run place. The food was amazing. I felt as though my confidence had returned.
- 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM: The Basilica of Saint-Nazaire and Saint-Celse: This place is amazing! The stained glass is stunning, light streams, and I sat there for a while.
- 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM - The Bookshop and the Ghost: I decided to venture into a dusty old bookstore. It's where I picked a book, and as I looked up, I could have sworn I saw a fleeting glimpse of someone watching from the shadows. I felt like I was in a movie.
- 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM: Reflection I did some self-reflection, I'm still alone and it can be overwhelming.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner. More Wine, and Maybe a Friend: Dinner with a view. I strike up a conversation with a British couple. I feel less alone.
- 9:00 PM: Bed, Again. Staring at the ceiling, wondering if I should invest in a Ouija board.
Day 3: Medieval Mania, and the Unexplained Missing Sock (or, "My Sanity is Slipping")
- AM: Woke up in a panic. My socks are missing! Did ghosts steal them? Is this a sign?
- 9 AM: Medieval Madness: I decided to go to the medieval museum. What a fascinating place, full of weapons and information on the lives of people.
- 1 PM: Lunch… and a Realization: This time I'm getting the hang of the menu.
- 2 PM: The Inner City: I had a whole afternoon to spend walking and getting to know the city.
- 7 PM: Dinner. and a bit of acceptance: I really came to love the city, I had to leave tomorrow.
- 9 PM: Packing and Goodbyes: I will never forget this amazing city.
Day 4: Departure (and the Search for My Sock - Still Missing! or, "Maybe Carcassonne Isn't So Crazy After All")
- AM: Final croissants! And yes, my bag has arrived!
- Breakfast: I went to a cafe and had breakfast and I smiled at the beauty of Carcassonne.
- 11:00 AM: It's time to leave. A bittersweet moment. I've made it!
- 12:00 PM: The city slowly disappears from the window.
Notes:
- Food: I didn't starve, but my culinary adventures were… evolving. Learn some French!
- Luggage: Still a mystery.
- My Sock: Still MIA. Maybe it's guarding the ramparts.
- Overall: Carcassonne delivered a cocktail of beauty, frustration, and a healthy dose of existential contemplation. I'm a little better, even if I missed my sock. Would I go back? Absolutely. But next time, I'm bringing a translator, extra socks, and a therapist.
Carcassonne Castle Hotel: Le Donjon - Questioning the Medieval Magic (and My Sanity)
Look, let's be honest, you're probably here because you saw some Pinterest-perfect photos and are dreaming of jousting and mead. Well, buckle up, buttercup. My stay at Le Donjon? It was...an experience. Prepare to be both enchanted and slightly exasperated. Here's the lowdown, straight from this sleep-deprived traveler's mouth:
1. So, is it ACTUALLY in the Carcassonne castle? Like, WITHIN the walls? Because pictures can lie, you know...
YES! God, yes. You are *within* the formidable ramparts of Carcassonne. Walking out of the hotel and BAM! You're practically tripping over cobblestones. Honestly, that part? Unbeatable. The sheer weight of history pressing in on you... it’s incredible when it works. My first morning? I nearly lost my mind. I opened the window, expecting, you know, a view. And, well, there it was. The entire medieval city, bathed in dawn’s golden light. And I swear, for a split second I *felt* like a medieval lord, surveying my… slightly dusty domain. Then the seagulls started squawking, shattering the illusion. Medieval life is, apparently, also *noisy*.
2. The rooms... are they… you know… *clean*? Because medieval plumbing wasn’t exactly state-of-the-art.
Okay, let's have a real talk. Clean? Mostly. But understand this: you're not in a sterile, modern hotel. Think 'aged elegance', not 'surgical ward'. My room – a "Superior Chamber" if I recall correctly – had some seriously cool features. Stone walls, exposed beams… the works. However, there was a *distinct* musty smell. Not a dealbreaker, but close your eyes and you could have sworn you were in a very well-preserved mausoleum. I may have spent the first half hour frantically spraying Febreze, which probably ruined the historical *ambiance* for everyone around me. And the hairdryer? Ancient technology. Took about twenty minutes to dry my hair. I’m serious. Twenty minutes! That's a long time when you're itching to explore! A hairdryer that probably predated electricity entirely.
3. Food! Tell me about the food! Is it all Game of Thrones banquets or are there decent croissants?
Banquets? Sadly, no. Unless you count the breakfast buffet, which was…adequate. Think bread, pastries (the croissants were, thankfully, edible), some fruit, and the usual suspects. Definitely not fit for royalty – more like “barely passable after a night of overindulging in local wine.” The restaurant itself? Lovely setting, but the food was… hit or miss. One night I had a fantastic duck confit, the other night a… less inspired risotto (a culinary crime, in my opinion). So, prepare to wander the castle for better eats! I'll recommend a place later. Honestly, I'm still dreaming of the duck confit though.
4. What's this "quirky experience" everyone keeps raving about? Spill the tea!
Okay, here we go. The *quirky* element? This is where Le Donjon truly shines – and possibly where it drives you slightly mad. Things are just… different. The staff is genuinely lovely, but things move at 'medieval pace'. Forget instant gratification! You *will* wait. I ordered a drink one afternoon at the hotel's bar, and by the time it arrived, I was pretty sure I'd aged several years. It was delicious when it arrived, but gosh- the wait! And the elevator? Tiny. Like, *really* tiny. My luggage and I barely fit. The best part? The "key system." They give you a MASSIVE key. BIG. Heavy. Made of what felt like solid iron. I was terrified of losing it - and honestly, it took up half my purse! It was more of a weapon than a key. I think this is the "quirky" they're referring to!
5. Is it worth the price? Because looking at the pictures, this place is probably pricey.
Gah, the money. Yes, it’s expensive. Let's not sugarcoat it. You're paying for the location, the *experience*, that feeling of being transported. If you're on a budget, probably skip it. Look, the rooms aren't cheap! But if you can swing it? Here's the thing: that first morning, standing there, looking out over Carcassonne… that was worth the price. And that sense of history washing over you? Incredible. Honestly, I'd probably sell a kidney to go back. Okay, maybe not *sell* a kidney... But I'd certainly consider a slightly more frugal existence for a few months!
6. Any advice for a first-timer? Things you WISH you'd known?
Oh, absolutely.
- **Pack comfortable shoes.** Seriously. Cobblestones are charming, but murder on your feet.
- **Bring a power adapter.** Because Europe. And because you *will* need to charge your phone to Instagram the heck out of this place.
- **Learn some basic French.** It’s a courtesy, and while many staff speak English, it helps.
- **Embrace the wait.** Seriously, just go with it. Order a drink, sit back, and people-watch.
- **Don’t expect perfection!** Expect character. Expect a few bumps (like the ancient, unreliable hairdryer). Lower your expectations for *luxury*, and embrace the history.
- **Explore the local restaurants.** As I mentioned, and it's a MUST! Le Comte is outstanding. Go. Now. And then have the duck confit.
- **Do the ramparts walk!** I almost missed it and boy, I'd have regretted it. The views from the top are breathtaking.
- **Don’t lose the key!** I cannot stress this enough.
7. So, would you go back? Spill the tea, REALLY.
Okay, this is the big one. Despite the musty smell, the slow service, and the hefty price tag? Yes. A resounding, slightly breathless, "YES". The magic is there. Even with its flaws. The feeling of being utterly transported, of breathing in history… It’s an experience you won't forget. I'm already plotting my return. Maybe I'll even learn some basic French next time… and finally master that hairdryer. (Probably not.)
