Château de Bournel

I had high expectations for this hotel, it was more expensive than those we had stayed in previously but I thought it would be a treat. Unfortunately it was very average. I had booked a superior double room, the photos showed two very large rooms unfortunately ours turned out to be the very small one. There was nothing to put your case on other than the bed, in fact there was just no room to have an open suitcase anywhere. It advertises toiletries which is a liquid soap and a shampoo, the bathrobes were non existent, a very old fashioned hairdryer which got too hot to hold so was pretty useless, there was nowhere to hang your clothes on in the bathroom. The shower also had black mould around the base. The reception is in the pro shop and closes at 6pm, the bar seemed to close also at 6pm and was in darkness even though they said it was open. There was no internet connection or phone signal in the room. I could go on but suffice it to say it is a very dis- jointed service and the overall experience was disappointing. Maybe the management should go and visit La Villa de Mazamet, to see first hand what a perfect hotel looks like and see how it is run.

...why this seems to be such a popular destination for golf travellers. My guess: it's the wonderful Chateau set in a vast park with old trees. But when it comes to golf this might be one of the biggest disappointments I have ever experienced - and I feel a bit qualified to judge after having played close to 400 courses around the globe. The entire course has been in rather bad shape with rock hard fairways, unraked bunkers, uneven and unkept teeing grounds. Whether this is due to lack of staff (I have not seen one greenkeeper all day) and/or lack of funds I don't know and the conditions might change to the better. The REAL problem however is that the terrain is simply not suitable for even a mediocre course. As my friend Tom D. (well-known designer) once told me, the most important issues for a good course are: 'location, location, location!' Truth to be told: The terrain at Bournel does not provide either of these three characteristics. The hanging fairways on at least half a dozen holes are sending your even well struck ball in all sorts of unwanted/unfriendly lies - not what leisure golfers are really looking for. Even some beautiful views and great green locations can not make up for the bad layout. Value 4 money (golf only!) 2/5.

Mooie omgeving. Middelmatige service. Weinig aandacht voor gasten. Restaurant (en die in de omgeving) op zondag gesloten. Complex heeft aan binnenzijde achterstallig onderhoud. Prachtige golfbaan maar minimaal onderhouden. Prijs/kwaliteit zeker niet in verhouding.