Chateau Capitoul and Villas

Hotel review

Chateau Capitoul is the latest from the successful group, Domaine et Demeure, which has already got two other chateau hotels in the Languedoc. The USP here is the offer of a family friendly property which provides both hotel style accommodation and self catering villas accompanied by luxury hotel facilities and services. In the carefully restored chateau you'll find a handful of rooms and suites for those who want the full hotel experience. These are beautifully appointed and decorated with rich finishings including blue, white and gold marble bathrooms which echo the colour schemes in the bedrooms. Stunning mirrors are thoughtfully placed in perfect spots and beautiful prints of plants and birds adorn the walls. It really is chateau-chic décor in every sense — classic contemporary style with eyecatching mirrors and statement light fittings (plenty of chandeliers as you’d expect in a chateau). The villas are done in a similar vein. All are equipped with every modern facility you can think of and the best come with a private pool and terrace for soaking up the views over the vineyards to the lagoon beyond. Ideal for families (though the property discourages very young children because of the steep rocky paths all round). The facilities here are pretty spectacular too. As well as those you'd expect from a luxury hotel — gourmet dining, pool bar etc — you'll find a sumptuous spa (situated in the basement of the main chateau and an oasis of peace with a great range of treatments using Cinq Mondes products plus balneum with large indoor pool and hot tub, sauna and hammam), tennis court, petanque, kids club during peak summer months, complimentary bikes and wine tastings of the chateau's own vintages. Not forgetting the stand-out huge infinity pool with views to die for! If there's something else you'd rather do, then just ask the concierge!

With the arrival of spring and summer, the dry Mediterranean gardens designed by Chelsea Flower Show winner James Basson (Scape Design) are a sea of colour across the estate, seamlessly integrating with the estates biodiversity with birds, lizards, bats and bees enjoying the 75,000 species of plants that were planted in 2021. Weekly visits are planned throughout the summer with our head gardener Caroline.

A new landscaped prairie has been created below the main restaurant Asado terrace, a perfect spot for children to play safely whilst their parents enjoy a cocktail or a glass of the estates excellent wines made by our partners Vignobles Bonfils.

Just below this area in the shade of the pine trees, is also a yurt which is the home of the new kids club, the perfect natural environment for kids from 4 – 12 years to enjoy creative workshops and meet new friends.

As for the location it's ideally situated for those who want the country atmosphere, but also like the buzz of the city (Narbonne is just ten minutes away). It’s a beautiful place that succeeds on so many different levels: family friendly, great for couples, loads to do both on site and off. Book it and find out yourself!

Sarah Empson Review published: 03/12/2024