Château de Castel Novel sur Lagord

An address you almost want to keep secret. Perfect for a relaxing break away from La Rochelle. Very friendly and helpful staff. Excellent value for money.

We stayed two nights at this castle hotel and, overall, we had a pleasant stay. The setting is magnificent, the castle is very charming, and the room and bathroom were lovely. However, a few things could be improved. Cleanliness was generally acceptable, but the curtains and the radiator in the room could use better maintenance. The pool area is pleasant and relaxing. On the other hand, the hammam doesn't run continuously and needs to be switched on by reception each time it's used. This involves a lot of back and forth and isn't very convenient when the staff isn't available. A repair or a more autonomous operation would be appreciated. As for breakfast, we found it quite expensive for what was offered. The savory options were limited: no scrambled eggs, no bacon, and the bread seemed stale. The reception could also be improved. The receptionist was polite, but we didn't experience a genuine sense of customer service. For example, we had difficulty using the egg cooker, and after it malfunctioned, no alternative was offered for preparing eggs. Finally, we believe the property has enormous potential. The grounds are beautiful, and it would be worthwhile to offer more entertainment, activities, or even on-site dining. Currently, the experience mainly consists of sleeping and enjoying the pool, which is pleasant, but there's so much more to offer in such an exceptional setting. In short, a very beautiful place with a lot of potential, but several details could be improved to truly make the stay live up to the setting.

Everything was perfect: quiet hotel, room, amenities, parking, heated pool at 31°C, peaceful grounds.

We stayed for two nights, from May 23rd to 25th, 2026. The castle is beautiful, but there were many shortcomings: the room was only moderately clean, with several cobwebs and mold in the shower, for example. The worst part was the slimy pool with mold on the sides. The €14 breakfast was quite limited and of poor quality. Personally, we will never return; I do not recommend it! What a shame!

We had a pleasant stay at this hotel. Indeed, the château could use a little sprucing up. However, I find the reviews a bit harsh. The location is ideal for accessing Île de Ré or the city center of La Rochelle. Very quiet. We found the pool, seating, and sauna clean. Our room was spacious and clean, with a comfortable, large bed. The bathroom was great! (Sheets are only changed upon request for environmental reasons, which is also indicated.) Regarding the spa treatments and dining, everything is explained on their website; there were no surprises. The breakfast was very comprehensive. Thank you to the hotel staff.

Beautiful place, but the furnishings are very dated. And the cleanliness leaves much to be desired. The house could definitely use a renovation.

Why, in a 3-star hotel, use category 3 battery-farmed eggs? Using at least free-range eggs would be more respectful of both the hens and the guests. The breakfast is of lower quality than before, which is a shame...

Castle facade, but very basic amenities. No Jacuzzi in the relaxation area, no restaurant inside the hotel (as advertised on the website). A decent stay, but below our expectations. Ideal location with private parking. Allows for quick access to Île de Ré and La Rochelle.

I really liked the place, the welcome, and the very good breakfast. We enjoyed our picnic in the park, the pool, and the spa. The room prices weren't excessive. I would definitely go back.

A beautiful place with a view of the Île de Ré bridge, boasting a magnificent park. The rooms are spacious and comfortable. The bathroom is lovely with its large sink, walk-in shower, and towel warmer. Finally, the staff is very welcoming and attentive. Thank you for this wonderful stay at the château and in Charente-Maritime! We loved it! 👍