Uncover the Hidden Gem: Hotel le Faisan, Tours' Best-Kept Secret!
Hotel Le Faisan: Tours' "Secret" No More (Maybe… I Hope They Don't Ruin It!) - A Brutally Honest Review
Okay, so I just got back from Hotel Le Faisan in Tours, France. And let me tell you, the "Hidden Gem" tagline? It's legit. But before you go rushing off to book, let's get REAL. I'm not just going to parrot the marketing fluff. I'll give you the good, the bad, and the gloriously messy truth. This is NOT your typical travel blog. This is me, after a week of croissants, cobblestones, and a desperate search for decent Wi-Fi, spilling the beans.
First Impressions (and a little pre-ramble):
The hotel? Doesn't jump out and scream "Look at me!", which is probably why it's still a secret. It's tucked away, a little (dare I say?) charming in a slightly understated way. Found it by a simple Google search looking for something with Free Wi-Fi in all rooms,, which is essentially a basic human need in the age of Instagram, and I saw Air conditioning and decided to book. Getting there was a little confusing navigating the streets of Tours, and I was thankful for the Elevator. It's a solid start, even if their front entrance isn't exactly red carpet. I was greeted by a warm, friendly face on the Front desk [24-hour], which is a win after a long day of travel! Cashless payment service was great – because honestly, who carries cash anymore? And they even had a Doorman! That made me feel like a big shot.
Cleanliness and Safety (Because 2024):
Alright, let's be real: post-pandemic, this is top of mind. They seem to take it seriously. I saw staff using Anti-viral cleaning products and the hotel boasts Daily disinfection in common areas. They even had Hand sanitizer strategically placed everywhere. They also have First aid kit, which is nice. I feel like they're doing things to keep everyone safe. They also have Rooms sanitized between stays, which gives you some peace of mind. Plus, you could Room sanitization opt-out available – which is good if you like a little mess. They have CCTV in common areas and CCTV outside property, so that's good. And there was a Fire extinguisher. They have Staff trained in safety protocol, which is very important. Smoke alarms and Smoke detectors are present which I really appreciate.
The Room (AKA My Personal Oasis):
Okay, my room. Let me be honest: it wasn’t HUGE. But it was… cozy. No, seriously, it was. It had Air conditioning, which was a LIFE SAVER in the July heat. Also, Blackout curtains are essential for a good night’s sleep, and yes, they did the job. Plus, the Seating area was perfect for sprawling out after a long day of sightseeing. I also appreciated the Desk. Sometimes, you just need to get some work done at a Laptop workspace. The Free Wi-Fi worked! A HUGE win in my book. Seriously, I tested this a bit. It's Internet access – wireless and Internet access – LAN for those that enjoy a wired connection, which is good for serious work if that's your thing. They also had Complimentary tea, which I thoroughly appreciated in the afternoons. The Extra long bed was a bonus, I have a habit of moving too much in my sleep. Oh, and the Shower had good water pressure! Thank the heavens. They also had Bathrobes, Toiletries, and Slippers, which made me feel fancy.
My only (minor) gripe? The view. Kinda meh. But hey, you can’t have it all, right?
Things to Do (Or Not to Do):
This is where Le Faisan kind of shone. They get relaxation. Forget those jam-packed itineraries. This place is about chilling. They had a Swimming pool [outdoor] with a Pool with view! And the view was over the city, which was just stunning. They also had a Spa. I spent a glorious afternoon in the Sauna, and the Steamroom. Heaven! I didn't partake, but they also had a Fitness center and Gym/fitness, so you can work off that baguette. It has Couple's room, so if you're with your partner, this is good. There's a Terrace, perfect for sipping wine and pretending you're a local.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking (The Important Stuff):
Okay, food. This is where things get INTERESTING.
- Breakfast: Breakfast [buffet] was the way to go for me, and a Breakfast service was available. They had a decent spread, with the usual suspects. I also saw some Asian breakfast. They had Coffee/tea in restaurant. Overall, it was a solid start to the day. I also took advantage of the Breakfast takeaway service on a couple of busy days.
- Lunch/Dinner: The Restaurants here offer A la carte in restaurant. They also had an International cuisine in restaurant, which was a good choice. I saw some Asian cuisine in restaurant items served as well. They also have a Vegetarian restaurant, a major win for some. They also have a Soup in restaurant.
- Drinks: There's a Bar, and a Poolside bar! Happy hour was a must-do.
- Snacks: A Snack bar is there if you're peckish.
On-Site Accessible Restaurants / Lounges & Accessibility:
This is a good category to consider. The hotel had Facilities for disabled guests. The Elevator offers accessibility. They were helpful with my slightly mobility-challenged friend who was staying there. Accessibility is an important topic.
Services and Conveniences – Good Stuff:
- Room service [24-hour] – essential for late-night cravings. The Bottle of water was a lifesaver.
- Concierge – super helpful with recommendations.
- Laundry service helped me with my dirty socks.
- Dry cleaning is useful for business travelers.
Services and Conveniences – The Nitty Gritty:
- They have Car park [free of charge]. Winning.
- Currency exchange is there.
- Luggage storage will keep those suitcases safe.
- Cash withdrawal is available.
- Safety deposit boxes are there.
- There is a Gift/souvenir shop.
For the Kids (Okay, Maybe Not My Style, But Good to Know):
They are Family/child friendly which is great. There is Babysitting service if you have the kids. They even have a Kids meal!
Getting Around:
- Airport transfer available.
- Taxi service.
- Car park [on-site]
- Car power charging station, which is an important thing in our current world.
- Bicycle parking.
The Imperfections (Because Nothing is Perfect):
Okay, the hotel isn't flawless. I couldn't find Pets allowed. I might have seen a slightly grumpy staff member on one occasion (we all have bad days, right?). But honestly, the downsides are minor.
The Verdict: Should You Book?
YES! YES, you should. Provided you're looking for:
- A charming, slightly offbeat hotel.
- Amazing Free Wi-Fi
- A chilled-out vibe, perfect for relaxing.
- A hotel with good Cleanliness and safety.
My Recommendation:
It's the perfect base for exploring Tours and the surrounding Loire Valley. But shhh… don’t tell too many people. Let's keep it our little secret for a while.
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Alright, go forth and book. And don't ruin my secret spot. ;)
Southampton Courtyard Escape: Your UK Getaway Awaits!
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's itinerary. This is a human itinerary, the kind where you'll probably spill coffee on your passport and accidentally fall head-over-heels for a boulanger. Let's get messy with my planned trip to Hotel Le Faisan in Tours, France.
Day 1: Arrival and the Existential Dread of a Hotel Room
8:00 AM (ish): Wake up with the feeling that you've forgotten something. Turns out, it's your sanity. Also, breakfast. Gotta find some REAL coffee, pronto. My travel companion (let's call her "The Organized One") is already meticulously packing, which is a stark contrast to me, frantically shoving everything in at the last minute. Side note: why do suitcases expand when you're packing but magically shrink when you're trying to close them? It's a conspiracy.
10:00 AM: Plane! Delayed. Of course. But hey, the airport coffee is surprisingly decent. I’m getting that fluttery, excited/terrified feeling in my stomach. Like when I first tried to ride a bike without training wheels.
2:00 PM (Local Time): Touchdown! France! My French is… well, let's just say I can order a baguette and then get completely lost in a panic because the bakery lady speaks so fast.
3:00 PM: Taxi to Hotel Le Faisan. The hotel itself is lovely. Seriously, the facade reminds me of a Wes Anderson movie. Inside? Even better. The lobby smells of old books and something slightly floral. I love that.
3:30 PM: Ugh. Room. I'm not gonna lie, hotel rooms ALWAYS get me. They're sterile, with no personality of their own. They're like tiny, pristine prisons. And you know what I always do first? Inspect the bed, poke the pillows, and get a little bit of the feeling of "should I just stay here, or is there an actual adventure to be had?"
4:00 PM: The Organized One is unpacking. I'm staring at the wall, contemplating the meaning of life and whether the hotel will have decent Wi-Fi.
5:00 PM: Okay, I'm out! Gotta explore.
5:30 PM: Wandering the streets of Tours. The architecture is stunning! The cobblestone streets are not so stunning for my ankles. I nearly tripped over a particularly charming (and probably historically significant, knowing my luck) cobblestone. Felt like one of those silent movie slapstick moments.
7:00 PM: Dinner at a bistro that looked promising but… ugh. The food was just…meh. But the view? Oh, the view was gorgeous. People are smiling, laughing, and the sun is setting. Suddenly all is right with the world.
9:00 PM: Wine. Lots of wine. Okay, maybe just a glass or two. The Organized One is giving me the side-eye. But hey, it's France! Rules are meant to be… suggested with a nod and wink.
Day 2: Market Mayhem and a Cathedral Crush
9:00 AM: Breakfast! The hotel breakfast is actually pretty decent. Croissants, coffee, and a smug sense of accomplishment because I managed to order a cappuccino without making a complete fool of myself.
10:00 AM: The Marché des Halles. Oh. My. God. The colors, the smells… it's a sensory overload in the best way possible. Cheese, charcuterie, fresh produce… I'm drooling already.
10:30 AM: Okay, serious decision time. Do I buy the massive wheel of cheese now or wait until I can resist the urge to devour it in the hotel room? Big decision. Also, bought three different kinds of bread, because, you know, research.
11:00 AM: Lost in the market. Again. But this time, it’s on purpose. I can't seem to stop myself from wanting to taste ALL the things! Some lovely woman offered me what she called a "peach confit." It was the closest thing to heaven I've ever experienced. I bought like, four jars.
12:00 PM: Lunch at a small café near the market, a croque monsieur that left me speechless for a solid five minutes. (The Organized One, of course, had already mapped out all the best restaurants. I'm just along for the delicious ride).
2:00 PM: The Cathedral of Saint Gatien. Architecture: mind-blowing. The sheer scale of this place is insane. I ended up staring at a stained-glass window for a solid half hour, just imagining all the history, the people who had been here, and the stories those windows could tell. It's the kind of place that makes you feel small, but also connected to something vast and beautiful. Maybe I even shed a tear (or two).
4:00 PM: Exploring the old town. Each little street is just oozing with character! I managed to stumble into a courtyard where a woman was teaching a group of kids how to paint. I stopped and watched for a while. I'm not even sure what I saw in it. It made me happy, I guess.
6:00 PM: Dinner at a restaurant recommended by a local (yay!). The food was fantastic, the wine even better. The Organized One and I finally managed a decent conversation in French. Triumph!
8:00 PM: Chocolate. Lots of chocolate. Because France.
Day 3: Gardens, Ghosts, and Goodbyes (a little too soon)
9:00 AM: The gardens of the Château de Villandry. This place is breathtaking. The topiary is so perfectly manicured that it looks unreal. I walked around for an hour, the smell of flowers in the air, feeling absolutely, ridiculously zen.
11:00 AM: Sigh. Heading back to the hotel. The Organized One wants to hit some vintage shops. I'm already mentally preparing for the inevitable "are you sure you need that?" conversation.
1:00 PM: lunch. My favorite part of the day. (See, I said it was my favorite part of the day). Got to enjoy another delicious meal.
3:00 PM: One last walk around the old town.
4:00 PM: Packing. The dread is back. How is everything going to fit?
6:00 PM: One last dinner. The restaurant again? Nah, not enough time to go all the way there.
7:00 PM: Hotel. One last nightcap in the hotel bar, trying to soak it all in. The sounds of people laughing and the clinking of glasses feel like a soundtrack to life… Until I start thinking that it's ending. I have to remind myself that this is only the beginning.
8:00 PM: One last glass of wine.
9:00 PM: Sleep.
Day 4: Au Revoir, Tours (But I'll Be Back)
- 6:00 AM: Wake up.
- 7:00 AM: Last breakfast at the hotel. Grab all of the croissants and try again to take them to-go: fail again.
- 8:00 AM: Taxi to the airport.
- 10:00 AM: Goodbye.
- 12:00 PM: A bit emotional. But hey, you gotta take the good with the bad, right? I will be returning.
And so, ends my whirlwind adventure. It was messy, imperfect, and filled with cheese. The best kind of trip. Until next time, France.
Escape to Paradise: RBS Hotel & Lawn, Ayodhya – Your Dream Getaway Awaits!
Okay, spill the tea: Is Hotel Le Faisan *really* a hidden gem? Don't lie to me.
What's the vibe like? Is it fancy-pants or more… comfortable? Because I'm not trying to feel awkward in my jeans.
Spit the details: What are the rooms REALLY like? Good for hobbits? Giant-sized people? Is there actual air conditioning? (Asking for a friend… who's me.)
Breakfast, the most important meal! What's the deal? Is it worth it? Are there croissants? (I NEED croissants.)
How's the location? Easy to get around? Close to, you know, *stuff*?
What about the staff? Are they friendly? Helpful? Do they speak English? (Because, let's be honest, my French is… rusty.)
Any downsides? Because nothing's perfect, not even croissants.
Alright, so what’s the *one* thing that will forever stick with you about Le Faisan?
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