Escape to Paradise: LES FERMES DE MANAT, Saint-Nizier-de-Fornas, France
Escape to Paradise: LES FERMES DE MANAT - A Review That's (Hopefully) Honest
Okay, so you're looking for a getaway, huh? Somewhere to really escape. Well, I just got back from LES FERMES DE MANAT in Saint-Nizier-de-Fornas, France, and let me tell you, it was… an experience. Not always the perfectly polished, Instagram-filtered experience, mind you. Life, and hotel reviews, are messy. Prepare for a bit of a ramble, because that’s how my brain works after a week of spa treatments and French pastries.
First, the Basics (and the Less Glamorous Bits):
Right off the bat: Accessibility. This is crucial, and I have to be honest, my mobility isn’t a huge concern, but I did notice the hotel is making an effort. They mention "Facilities for disabled guests," and I saw an elevator, which is a huge win. I can't give a definitive review on full accessibility, but it's something to explore if you need it. They do have Car park [free of charge] which is a great start. Car park [on-site] is handy too, and they offer Valet parking. Getting around seemed pretty straightforward, and they offer Taxi service and thankfully, an Airport transfer, though that might cost ya!
On the cleanliness front, I was impressed. They're clearly taking COVID seriously. Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Rooms sanitized between stays, and staff trained in safety protocols were evident. They even have Hand sanitizer everywhere! I even noticed Individually-wrapped food options which… well, it's a bit wasteful but hey, safety first, right? They even offer Room sanitization opt-out available, which is a nice touch of choice in these over-cautious times.
The Internet and Other Annoyances:
Okay, let’s talk Internet. This is a pet peeve of mine. Who even uses a LAN cable anymore? Thankfully, they have Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! (Hallelujah!) And Wi-Fi in public areas so you can Instagram your pool-side cocktails. Internet services are there if like, you need them… I think.
The Pure Bliss (and the Not-So-Blissful): The Things To Do & Ways To Relax
This is where LES FERMES DE MANAT really shines. They've got the goods for relaxation, and I dove in headfirst. Seriously, I think I spent half my time in the Spa. And I'm not complaining! I'm talking Sauna, Steamroom, Massage, Body scrub, Body wrap – the works. My skin hasn't felt this good in YEARS. I also did the Foot bath, which was a truly unusual experience.
The Pool with view? Absolutely stunning. Picture yourself lounging poolside, sipping something fruity, with the rolling French countryside as your backdrop. It's pure, unadulterated bliss. I could literally feel the stress melting away.
The Fitness center… well, I saw it. Did I use it? Let's just say the allure of more croissants was stronger. They also got a Gym/fitness place I assume. But it’s there if you're feeling virtuous.
A Deep Dive into That Pool
Oh, that pool. I have to say, the pool area was, hands down, my favorite part of this whole experience. It wasn't just a pool; it was an experience. Picture this: the sun setting, casting a warm glow on the water, the gentle hum of conversation, the faint scent of chlorine mingled with the lavender breeze… and me, completely and utterly relaxed.
I spent an entire afternoon there, reading a book, taking the occasional dip to cool off. One particularly memorable moment: I was floating on my back, gazing at the sky when a gentle breeze carrying the scent of lavender gave an extra layer to the already awesome experience. Utter bliss. This is why you book a stay like this. That is the real escape.
One tiny, minor, barely-noticeable imperfection? A rogue leaf or two occasionally floated into the pool (gasp!). But seriously, the views more than made up for this minor inconvenience.
Dining & Drinking: The Food Fights (or at least, my internal ones):
Okay, food. This is where opinions can get really divisive. LES FERMES DE MANAT has an impressive array of options. Restaurants, A la carte in restaurant, Buffet in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, it's all there.
My Honest Thoughts (and a confession): The food? Pretty good, mostly. The Breakfast [buffet] was a solid start to the day – a classic! They also offered Breakfast in room if you wanted a lazy day. The Asian cuisine in restaurant? That was pretty legit! It was a nice change of pace from the traditional French fare. And the Desserts in restaurant? Oh. My. God. Don't even get me started… I'm convinced I gained five pounds just looking at them.
They offer a lot of other options in terms of, Breakfast takeaway service, Alternative meal arrangement, Room service [24-hour], Happy hour, a Poolside bar. Yes, yes, and yes. And yes again!
The Imperfections:
Okay, I promised honesty, so here comes a minor gripe. The service, while generally excellent, could be a little… slow. Like, “waiting-for-a-coffee-for-20-minutes-while-dreaming-of-desserts” slow. But honestly, I was on vacation. I wasn't in a huge rush. And hey, it gave me more time to savor the view.
The Small Stuff (That Still Matters):
They have a Convenience store, which is super handy for forgotten essentials or late-night snacks, and a Gift/souvenir shop for those obligatory trinkets. They also have Cashless payment service, which makes life easier.
For the Kids and Families.
I didn't travel with kids, but LES FERMES DE MANAT seems pretty family-friendly. They have Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, and Kids meal which is excellent.
The Rooms: Comfort &… Okay-ness:
The rooms themselves were perfectly fine. Clean, comfortable, and equipped with all the standard amenities. Air conditioning, check. Coffee/tea maker, check. Mini bar, check. Free bottled water, much appreciated. They even offer Wake-up service, which I only used once, because, croissants.
They have Non-smoking rooms, which is a must. Smoke alarms, Smoke detector, and Safety/security feature all around. I felt safe and snug.
They also have Additional toilet, Bathrobes, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Desk, Extra long bed, Hair dryer, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mirror, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Satellite/cable channels, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Socket near the bed, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella.
The Emotional Verdict?
Look, LES FERMES DE MANAT isn't perfect. It's got its quirks. The service can drag a bit at times. But the sheer beauty of the surroundings, the incredible spa, the pool, the food… it all adds up to something truly special. It’s expensive, yes, but you’re buying into a certain feeling. An experience. An escape. And sometimes, that's worth every penny.
The Imperfect Pitch: Book Now! (I mean, Seriously!)
So, are you ready to ditch the daily grind and actually relax? To say “nope” to the stresses and “yes” to those amazing views?
Here’s the deal: LES FERMES DE MANAT is offering a special package right now. Book a stay of at least four nights and you'll get:
- A complimentary spa treatment of your choice (I recommend the body scrub – trust me).
- A bottle of local wine upon arrival (to help you unwind, naturally).
- A 10% discount on all dining experiences during your stay (more desserts!).
This offer is only valid for bookings made in the next two weeks, so don't delay! Go ahead, ditch the excuses, and book that escape. You deserve it. And trust me, after my week there, you really deserve it. Get to LES FERMES DE MANAT. Do it now!
Escape to Paradise: Alan Sea Hotel, Da Nang's Hidden Gem
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving HEADFIRST into my meticulously (read: haphazardly) planned trip to Les Fermes de Manat, Saint-Nizier-de-Fornas, France. This ain't your grandma's perfectly polished travel guide, folks. This is the REAL DEAL, complete with existential crises, questionable food choices, and the overwhelming joy of a truly good croissant.
Day 1: Arrival & Oh My God, Look at That View! (and Did I Pack Enough Socks?)
- Morning (Like, Really Early Morning): Ugh. The alarm. The airport. The inevitable realization that I totally forgot to pack my toothbrush. Okay, fine, I'll buy one. But the flight…smooth. Slept through most of it, which is always a win. Landed in Lyon. The air smelled faintly of…something delicious. Hope it’s pastries.
- Late Morning/Early Afternoon: Train to Saint-Étienne. The French countryside… breathtaking. Seriously. Lush green hills, little stone villages… I’m already in love. Found a cute little bistro near the station. The lady behind the counter gave me the side-eye when I butchered my French ("Un croissant… please?"… It was more like "Uh…croissant?"). Ended up with a perfectly flaky, buttery, heaven-sent croissant. ALL HAIL THE CROISSANT! Fuelled for the next adventure.
- Afternoon/Early Evening: Taxi to Les Fermes de Manat. The drive… oh, the drive! Winding roads, even MORE incredible views. And then… there it was. Les Fermes de Manat. The pictures didn’t do it justice. It’s like a postcard, but real. I literally gasped. Like, a loud, embarrassing gasp. Checked in. The room is charming, and the bed looks like it's designed for cloud-like sleep.
- Evening: Unpack. Which is code for, "Rummage through my suitcase, discover I packed way too many sweaters and not nearly enough socks." Dinner at the hotel restaurant. More French. More awkward ordering. More… deliciousness. The trout was incredible. The wine… even better. Feeling… optimistic. And slightly full, but who’s counting calories on vacation?
Day 2: Hiking, History, and the Perils of Speaking French (Again)
- Morning: Okay, hiking. This was the "active portion" of the trip. Loaded up with water, a ridiculous amount of snacks, and a vague sense of direction. The trail? Gorgeous, yes. Challenging? Let’s just say I'm grateful for those hiking boots I spent a minor fortune on. Kept stopping to "appreciate the view" (read: catch my breath). Saw a tiny chapel perched on a hill, looked like something out of a fairytale.
- Mid-day: Lunch! Pack a sandwich, think I can do a quick picnic. It'd be romantic, I thought. Then, I encountered a herd of what I think were cows. They were huge. And they were staring. I'm sure they were judging my cheese and my attempt to take a photo with them in the background. Decided to retreat. Ate my sandwich hidden behind a bush.
- Afternoon: Explored the nearby village. Cobblestone streets, ancient buildings… I felt like I’d stepped back in time. Stumbled upon a tiny little artisan shop. Bought a ridiculous, overly-expensive scarf. Worth it, though. It's pretty, and it's a souvenir, which is what I'm here for.
- Evening: Dinner. My attempt to order a steak in French resulted in a very confused waiter. He kept repeating "steak?" with a look of utter bafflement. Finally, through a combination of gestures and broken French, I managed to convey what I was craving. The steak was… okay. Maybe I should stick to the fish.
Day 3: Doubling Down on the Experience & The Great Cheese Debacle
- Morning: Okay, this is the core of it all: Cheese tasting. I am a cheese person, okay? I revere cheese. So, I located a cheesemonger. The man behind the counter… he asked me what kinds of cheese I liked. "The good kind," I said. I was not prepared for the depth of cheese available. The smell was intense. The texture was… everything. I went with a hard, nutty cheese, a creamy brie, and a surprisingly smelly blue cheese. The guy gave me something to chew on between tastes. I don't know what it was, but it helped. The brie was divine. The blue cheese? A challenge. But an interesting challenge. Definitely worth it.
- Mid-day: I bought cheese at a small cheese shop in the village. So, I am now ready to have my own mini cheese tasting picnic! I have the perfect spot near a quaint little lake. I get there, and there's a family of ducks who seem very interested in my cheese. So, I share. I ended up giving half of my cheese picnic to the ducks!
- Afternoon: Attempted to channel my inner artist. Had a sketchbook and a pen to capture the beauty of the landscape. I am not an artist. I quickly abandoned the artistic aspirations. Went back to eating cheese in the sun.
- Evening: Dinner at the hotel. More wine, more cheese (duh). Started a conversation with a friendly couple. Learned a shocking amount about sheep farming. Ended the night feeling… content. Really, really content.
Day 4: Departure & Lingering Memories
- Morning: Packed up my little slice of heaven. Said goodbye to the amazing view. Felt a pang of sadness. Left a small mountain of French fries in the plates. Boarded the taxi back to the train station.
- Afternoon: Train back to Lyon. Said goodbye to this beautiful country.
- Late Afternoon: Airport… Ugh. The end. But as I waited for my flight, I pulled out my sketchbook. It had a few squiggles, some smudges, and a whole lot of memories. And the lingering taste of brie. Okay, and a bit of blue cheese. This trip… well, it wasn’t perfect. But it was mine. And I wouldn't trade it for anything.
And that, my friends, is the story of my trip to Les Fermes de Manat. It's messy, it’s imperfect, and it was absolutely, wonderfully human. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to go buy some more cheese.
Carlton Star Hotel Seremban: Your Seremban Getaway Awaits!
Escape to Paradise? LES FERMES DE MANAT FAQ (Brace Yourselves…)
So, LES FERMES DE MANAT… Is it *actually* paradise? Or just Instagram-filtered paradise?
What's the food situation like? Because I need to know if I'll starve.
What are the rooms/accommodation like? Are they actually comfortable?
Okay, so it's pretty, but is it boring? Is there stuff to *do*?
The staff: friendly? Clueless? Fluent in sarcasm?
Anything I *shouldn't* expect? Any hidden downsides?
Would you go back? Honestly?
