Gourmet Restaurant, Boutique Hotel & Golf

"We had the most stunning "buffet" lunch on New Years Day. It was definitely not your bog standard buffet. Champagne, fresh oysters, prawns and a yummy selection of warm dishes along with cheese, fresh breads and salads. They also had entertainment in the form of an 8 piece traditional guitar group who were fab and great fun. As always the setting is stunning , the service first class and the food fantastic. Highly highly recommended." Rebecca B 8th of January 2014

"We had a wonderful week in the apartment with our 3 children. The space was ideal for us, with 2 large bedrooms plus a large open plan lounge, diner, kitchen. Our favourite element was that the patio doors opened onto the beautiful garden, right by the pool. The hotel was very peaceful so we felt like we had our own private garden and pool with an unbeatable view of the dordogne. The staff were incredibly friendly. Our car broke down and the concierge and manager put them selves out at great lengths to help us have car repaired. The food was outstanding and the children's menu was ideal. We also prepared many meals in the apartment. There were no other children which was a shame but there is so much to do in the area that we were out a lot of the time. The only drawback was that the pool was very cold and very deep, which was unwelcoming for our 3 year old. Despite the stunning location it is a good 40 minutes drive from the main tourist attractions. We loved it and would love to go back, especially without our children!" Victoria G 17th of November 2013

"We spent a couple of nights here to celebrate my birthday. We were welcome with a glass of bubbly & canapé, and the staff are all courteous & helpful during our stay. The deluxe room we had had splendid views & spacious. Although the room was a bit cold (it's end of Jan), we do understand it is hard to heat an old house with very high ceiling & big windows. We tried the tasting menu at the hotel restaurant one evening and it was divine! I noticed that the restaurant was very popular with the British expats. The restaurants we tried in the town centre was brilliant. Bergerac & the hotel are both very easy to navigate & take the stress out of driving for my fiancé. Great place for a weekend break." Itchy Feet Nomad 26th of February 2013

"It's been awhile since we stayed at Merles for what was the first leg of our Honeymoon tour around the Dordogne region and it treated us to the best of starts. Reiner and his team went to considerable efforts to make our stay enjoyable including setting up a special viewing room to watch England v France! The rooms were comfortable and chic, the general surroundings epitomized rural France and the food was of the highest quality. We sampled both the Bistro and the fine dinning parts and I will make special mention of the tasting menu which was superb. If you are a golf lover, having 9 holes on your doorstep with very little 'traffic' is most welcome however, it is a short and quirky golf course which, being based mainly at the bottom of a revine, does suffer badly under rain fall. But as my wife is a relative beginner, it was perfect to get better acquainted to the game and as a single figure handicapper, it was still a challenge for me. I highly recommend Merles, I will be returning and my only advice would be for them to continue doing exactly as they are.   SCJarvis 28th of December 2012

"Thanks to Ranier and the staff of Les Merles who were exceptional during our stay at this gem of a hotel. Les Merles is perfectly situated for day trips to wine tastings and surrounding towns. At the same time, the pool, golf and bistro/restaurant provide plenty of downtime activities. The bistro offered some of the best pub/bistro food we've had in France or abroad - great club sandwich and ceasar salad. The restaurant food was also great, but we actually found little difference in quality between bistro and restaurant. The difference seemed to be mostly in quantity and in better lighting (beautiful candles lit the space). Staff were extremely friendly and attentive. The manager asked us repeatedly if we were enjoying our stay, while other staff were equally proactive. One staff member noticed I ran in the mornings and suggested a running route by the river. We would recommend a stay at Les Merles as a must while in the Dordogne region - our stay was truly a highlight of our trip!"   smorgasbord 14th of September 2012

"Amazing! "   Lucy 19th of August 2012

"We only tried the bistro as a non-resident and it was a delightfully pleasant experience. The food was imaginative and beautifully cooked and presented, with near-faultless service delivered with personality - and good value considing the quality."   DavidSW19 12th of july 2012

"We had a wonderful 3 night stay at Chateau les Merles at the end of June. The grounds, the rooms, the food and especially the staff was close to perfect. Initially things did not start off well - there was a booking mix-up with our rooms. It was caught before we arrived, and the hotel went overboard to fix the issue, upgrading our rooms, and "comping" our first dinner in the bistro. It all worked out beautifully. The people who work at the Chateau - management, wait staff, kitchen staff, all are very warm, very friendly, and most speak several languages. The rooms are as pictured on the website and in TA photos - very well designed, terrific amenities, very clean - and priced very very reasonably you feel you are getting good value. The location is a pleasant 45 minute drive from the caves at Font de Gaume - and perfectly fine for visiting Sarlat and Domme. And finally, there is the food. In the Dordogne, land of duck and nuts, the limits of the local cuisine can sometimes be boring. The cuisine at Chateau les Merles is very good - it mixes tradition with lighter, more "global" food, which makes for a very welcome change and flexibility. Breakfast and dinner in the lovely terrace courtyard will remain a highlight of this two week visit to France. We can't say enough about how much we loved Chateau les Merles - a lovely fantasy of a French country hotel."    M.P. 5th of july 2012

"From the moment we arrived, the Chateau les Merles treated us like family. The two dining formats are very accomodating for familes. Guests mix with locals for breakfast, lunch and dinner. So much to do in the area - a most pleaseant location. Having travelled extensively through France, this is one of our favorite hotels and regions. Rooms - our faced out over the pool and property, big windows. Service - very friendly and accomodating. Food - many choices, great breakfast to start the day. Fine dining or bistro options for dinner. All very good quality."     MWSWashingtonDC 24th of february 2012

"A superbe chateau Hotel in the heart of Dordogne. Beautidul mood inside, at night, great menu Bistrot and gastro. Rooms are quiet, huge, all white design. People who work there smile to you easily. A good retreat while you discover the south west of France, very close of main stunning spots. Check the wifi in your bedroom, it doesnt work in all the romms. We have to change but they upgraded us for FREE. We also took advantage of the october promotion, 3 nights fir the price of 2 nights. Good deal."    Thibaut 15th of November 2011

"We have known Chateau Les Merles for a few years now but always make sure it features in our visits to the area. The team there are so welcoming and the rooms beautiful. Attention to detail and making sure the customer is happy are what they do best. The food requires a special mention - it is planned, prepared and served with pride and passion. I am already looking forward to our next visit and the eight course menu which is a delight. I would recommend paying a little more for the services of the sommelier who matches food and wine beautifully. The chef explained how to make one of the dishes (smoked haddock mousse on a beetroot puree - which is the best thing I have ever eaten!). We will certainly try to emulate it , but it is a wonderful excuse to go back. Simply a wonderful restaurant, hotel and region!"  Jac W 10th of October 2011

"We arrived very late to the hotel for our first night, and the staff could not be more helpful after our very long drive. They helped take our luggage to our room and even got a glass of champagne and crudities ready for us after our shower. The ambience of the bar and restaurant was fantastic and the wine gorgeous...."   Craig 3.09.2011

"Our family had a lovely time here cannot recommend it highly enough. We have two babies but they could not have been more helpful and kind to us." Ella 24.08.2011

"Not only have we stayed at Chateau les Merles 6 or 7 times but we also had our wedding reception there...we love it so much!" Karis 25.06.2011

“Just magic” Claire 17.05.2010

"We've stayed at Chateau les merles four times and we absolutely love it. The food is outstanding and it's a great base from which to explore the Dordogne." M. Burford 15.09.2009