.jpg)
|
|
||||||||||
| Home | Chambres d'Hôtes Grand Confort |
|
Le Petit Bois | Location | Regional Information | Bookings | Terms & Conditions | About Us & Visitors Book | Contact & Links | Special Events |
|
About Us Visitors Book 2007 Visitors Book 2006 Visitors Book 2005 Visitors Book 2004 |
| About Us: The Manoir was built as a restaurant with rooms named the Relais de Saint-Claud and for many years was run as an exclusive dining club featuring in prestigious guides. It later had a brief spell as Le Claud Gourmand restaurant before entering into private ownership for several years. Purchasing the property in March 2004, the current owners have once again made this unique property accessible to the public to enjoy. John & Penny Hitchings, your hosts, have endeavoured to make Manoir La Betoulle one of the most prestigious places to stay in Charente-Limousin. Keenly accepted by the Gites de France organisation as a Chambres d'Hôtes and awarded "3 epis" in September 2004 we have now completed our 4th season. We pride ourselves on maintaining a high standard of accommodation for all our guests & the quality of our service is reflected by the number of our guests who return every year. For the second year running our gîtes were fully booked from May till mid September. Following inspections in spring 2006 we have been awarded a “4 star” rating by Thomas Cook & Petit Futé for our Chambres d’Hôtes. This year we were selected by ‘Maison de la France’ for their “Bienvenue en France” campaign and appeared in the AA guide to French Chambres d’Hôtes. Penny spent her career as a radiographer in both public and private sectors, mainly working on CT and MRI scanners but will now ably deal with your booking requirements and breakfast.......... John has an engineering and business background in IT and Telecoms - what better experience for dealing with those little plumbing and electrical problems that need to be resolved from time to time! We have worked overseas for long periods in the Middle East and Africa and have been holidaying in France since 1989 well, we say "holidaying" but for the first 15 yrs we were renovating a cottage in Normandy so holiday is perhaps not quite the right word! Since relocating to the Charente we have enjoyed sharing our love for the area (especially the wines of the Haut Poiteau region & the wealth of excellent restaurants) with our guests from all over the world. We are more than happy to organize sports activities, wine tours & restaurant reservations in advance. Visitors Book some guests comments during our 2007 season Sixth stay in 4 years says it all…. G I, Forfar, Scotland What a wonderful place – a real gem J & G C Ireland Our second visit in 2
weeks – coming back in September. Very enjoyable, great breakfast &
hospitality C & B B, Staffs
Thank you for making us feel very welcome firstly in the smaller gîte & then in the main house. It’s a lovely house in a very pleasant area & we are seriously now thinking of buying a place of our own out here A&L T East Sussex
Your raspberry jam is terrific, your mansion is splendid, your hospitality is very pleasant & your swimming pool is wonderful. Such a distinguished place in the country of gastronomy, what more to ask for .??? Practice my English with people having a perfect accent maybe?? GL + M-H G, Brussels, Belgium We had a great time in your lovely house – thank you so much for your friendly hospitality, all your help & tolerating our guitar practice The Katona Twins – Les Cinq Sens Music Festival, St Claud 2007 Thank you for letting us stay in your lovely home – your hospitality has been excellent & the children have had a fantastic time……..K & E B Thank you for allowing us to play chess – Will & I loved it even if I won.. it was good competition W & HB age 12 & 13 yrs Carnforth Lancs Thank you for your excellent hospitality & the most comfortable beds!! The house is amazing & the warm welcome 2nd to none…look forward to returning P&TR, Farnham Common Another lovely stay with extremely generous hosts S & C N , Nottingham One of the most peaceful few days we have spent anywhere. Penny’s ever present help making it a wonderful holiday C, D & E M, St Albans
Everything we had hoped for & much more. What breakfasts – figs & jams will be missed!!!! Thanks for making it a special holiday – we shall return!!! M & J H, West Malling, Kent | This is a lovely place – we enjoyed our stay very much – thanks for all your advice & excellent recommendations for restaurants… T & J F, Rehovat, Israel Staying in your B&B instead of your smaller gite is a truly wonderful experience..your home is a credit to you. Penny your personal touch &attention to detail is first class & your breakfasts are the highlight of the day…we look forward to next year’s holiday K & J S, Sutton Coldfield, Staffs Beautiful spot, fantastic hospitality…we’ll be back J & L B, Bath What a fab place to spend a wedding anniversary -watching the sunset whilst rocking gently in the hammock. Great breakfast, great location & great hosts. S & L D Market Harborough Le Petit Bois is very well presented & the estate is beautiful…everywhere we ate we thoroughly enjoyed the meals especially La Grange Aux Oies G & M C, Southampton Le Petit Bois is a lovely gite with all that you could wish for..the balcony from the bedroom gives it added charm…lots of amenities yet peace & solitude can be found in the vast grounds Thank you we thoroughly enjoyed our very relaxing week. P B, Pinner Middx Le Petit Bois is very private with a beautiful outlook. Living room cosy & bedroom spacious with beautiful views from the balcony..splendid pool & surrounding area..very picturesque & tranquil…many superb restaurants within easy reach offering a variety of menus & prices Wonderful hosts – extremely helpful & attentive without being intrusive – always there when needed R & G O Staffs La Tiede is excellent – we enjoyed watching the wildlife in the evenings…it’s the nicest cottage we’ve ever stayed at M S Pembrokeshire Many thanks for making our short stay at La Tiede so pleasant & enjoyable. We had just the mixture of activity & relaxation which we were looking for. Your helpfulness & professionalism in the business you run here is exemplary & we wish you continued success. B & H T, Dublin La Tiede is very comfortable with everything you need….wide selection of reading & games for wet weather days…great views of countryside from lounge windows & terrace..very relaxing holiday with plenty to do if you want to but pressure free for those who just want to unwind completely J G Staffs As before a wonderful holiday – weather the best we have ever had in France in September. Swam everyday in the fabulous pool, played tennis & had some lovely bike rides especially to Le Marronnier for lunch. Thank you John & Penny for your superb hospitality & the little ‘treats’…both of us feel really relaxed & well....we will be back ..P & I T, Wetherby, Yorks Visitors Book some guests comments during our 2006 season La Tiede is very luxurious….we loved the space & Penny & John what great hosts you are – endless patience for our stream of questions & your generosity must be unequalled. F H & family, Newport, S Wales We found the gite comfortable, clean & well equipped – the pool was just fantastic – very quiet & relaxing. We both had a super holiday & would like to thank both of you for your hospitality & of course the free vegetables…..we found the manor house stunning! G & L H, Co Armagh, N.Ireland I always find your gite extremely pleasant with many activities to do inside & outside the grounds. The pool is lovely… will definitely stay here for a longer period of time again, very shortly!!!! A C, Glos aged 14yrs It’s the first time I have been here & I was amazed at how beautiful the surrounding area & the interior of the gite & manoir are – I have really enjoyed being here. S aged 14yrs – friend of A C
We had a wonderful time here – thank you so much for that fantastic welcome basket – really useful! We loved the gite & your attention to detail as well as the lovely surroundings….we’ll be back! H & R S-T, Farnham, Surrey We arrived home safe & sound - thank you, & thank you for your nice comments on how we left the villa – we both enjoyed our stay with you & will certainly visit again if we return to France, we would recommend you to our friends & family without any qualms. I forgot to thank you for the lovely welcome basket we found on our arrival – it was very much appreciated. P & R C, Gravesend, Kent No bright lights, no discos!! Keep it all in the manner it is already, you have produced copious suggestions of things to do in the area, no reasonable party could ever get bored!!! On our last night we were not feeling hungry but thought it easier to eat out than to cook, so we went to Le Marronnier – your description hardly does the food justice!! We had foie gras to start, prepared in house – superb, then the hare & duck washed down with what can only be described as a brooding, almost menacingly dark Vin de Pays Charentais – if you like wines with bite, body & soul this is it!!! Please find a bottle as a big thank you for the loan of the garage for the week of the Ramparts Race – I & the car very much appreciated it!!! P B, Owner of Alfa Giulia Spider, Marlborough, Wilts The gite was excellent in all aspects – would have been happy to take up residence – it was above all our expectations!!! Congratulations – after many self-catering holidays yours is the 1st frying pan which was usable & 1st class as were all the equipment & furnishings. We have done so much in 6 days & enjoyed the comfort & cleanliness of our temporary home, if there were previously any doubt about retiring over here, there is none now!! Thanks for all your hard work & good luck for the future. L & R L, Kent It’s been a wonderful stay with very helpful & friendly service. A fantastic house & grounds with a restful atmosphere & sense of space. Good luck with your business – we hope to return to see you again. N & R G, Redruth, Cornwall Fantastic house & thoughtful, friendly hostess – a perfect B&B J & R M, Powys, Wales Pleased to be here again – a most welcoming place….. Amities J & J-L G, Limoges Thank you very much for the wonderful room & great hospitality M & P B, Florida USA So nice to see you again & experience your ‘Grand Project’ – your personal touch & hospitality makes all the difference – too relaxed to leave…. S & D B, Sunningdale, Berks A truly wonderful holiday in such a beautiful setting… thank you so much, especially with the cloak & dagger secrecy for my 40th Birthday E B & family, Wisbech, Cambs Fantastic stay! Will be back! Thank you so much for all your help & hospitality! P C & S U, Australia & Anglesey,Wales Thank you for making our stay so comfortable & introducing us to some fabulous restaurants J & J M, Liverpool Thanks so much…had a great time staying with you….breakfast was DELISH!!! Tried so many new things….à plus tard A R aged 11 years, Co Wexford, Ireland A beautiful place to stay & it made the weekend special – will recommend to anyone staying in the area S & G K, Suffolk We wish we could stay longer!! Everything was simply perfect – thank you for all your suggestions, assistance & the splendid breakfasts (I’ll miss the homemade melon jam) We hope to see you again M L, Los Angeles USA & J L, Milwaukee USA A lovely house & grounds…..attractive & comfortable bedroom….charming & helpful hosts. All the ingredients perfect for a thoroughly enjoyable stay for the race weekend. Thank you very much E M, Windsor We have thoroughly enjoyed staying in this stunning house!!! Thank you for your hospitality & warmth….we’ll see you again! S & A H, St Albans Visitors Book - A selection of comments from our guests in 2005 We had the best time in your beautiful manoir – it was just a pleasure hanging around the pool & just enjoying the room. Thank you so much for your kindness, & the champagne bottle that arrived right on time!! We’ll be back for sure...A R & R H-A, Paris, France & Boston, USA Thank you for looking after us so well in your beautiful house. We’ve had a lovely relaxing time, wonderful breakfasts & having the terrace for picnics was a real treat. R, A, E & I L, Notting Hill, London
Thanks for the wonderful cake I thought it was delicious & so did Patrick – it was such a surprise. It was great swimming in the pool with the under water lights & it was a great way to end our 10th birthday.J & P G, Hexham, Northumberland, aged 10yr We have been staying at various gîtes in France for a number of years & I can safely say on behalf of my family that you & John are the most hospitable & helpful hosts by far! R H, New Barnet, Herts Comfortable & well equipped gite….quiet relaxing location……cold beer in fridge on arrival much appreciated…….excellent pool & poolside furniture….S & M W, Hull Exceeded our expectations……as cyclists, the roads were as we would like, very little traffic & mainly good surfaces. Ate at La Grange Aux Oies – perfect setting, super meal R & S B, Oldham, Lancs Service makes a holiday & you excel in this area……….Q H, Abergavenny, Wales Thank you so much for making us so welcome in your beautiful home ………..this was an unknown area for us, but we visited some super places on your recommendations…. we shall return…..A & J S, East Sussex Our son really enjoyed the pool, giant chess & being able to run around in gardens & fields. It has made for a very pleasant & relaxing environment for our holiday. J & R E, Doncaster, S. Yorks We had a wonderful time – it was better than I thought it would be……even though I am aching from all the activities we did I am very glad I came. The pool & tennis was great & there was always something to do here. Thank you soooo… much for having us here. AC, Glos aged 13yrs Had a great weekend for the Ramparts Race. Thanks for the help in navigating the roads around Angouleme!!!! A K & G P, Porsche 911 Owners Club, Dorset Excellent weekend – lovely for the Circuit des Remparts………highly recommended….. C H & C G, Porsche 911 owners, Weymouth, Dorset
We had high hopes from looking at the website and I have to say we were not disappointed! We have stayed in many gîtes and apartments over the years but we both agreed that La Tiede was, without doubt, the best we have experienced! It suited us perfectly - privacy without isolation. And having 3 terraces meant we could have sun or shade at all times of day according to our choice - wonderful. C & S S, Woburn Sands, Bucks Visitors Book – some comments received during our 1st season 2004 We had a great stay at your gîte – a beautiful gîte in a beautiful location….best place we ever stayed – surroundings amazing and very spacious. M & D P, Godalming, Surrey Thank you so very much again for your hospitality, if there is a chance of coming back to the Charente, then for sure I know where I want to stay. S H & R W, Brussels, Belgium
We really enjoyed exploring the area on the bike & relaxing by the pool. We will definitely be calling in again M & J F, Thatcham, Berks Remembering with pleasure what luxurious feeling it was to be a guest in your manoir. J & B A, Gothenburg, Sweden Nous souhaitons vous remercier de votre accueil et de votre gentillesse.
Nous avons passé un excellent pluvieux et rapide séjour. A & M-P G, Nanteuil, Deux-Sevres Fantastic amount of wildlife – I’ve never seen a swallowtail butterfly before in the wild…..another lovely holiday in the Charente. M & M M, Stourbridge La Tiede is excellent….too much to do in a short space of time…we have all had a wonderful week…we will definitely be back. S & C N, Nottingham Thank you both for making our stay at ‘La Betoulle’ so enjoyable……wonderfully relaxing holiday in this beautiful countryside, enjoyed the pool and the luxury of Le Petit Bois and found your knowledge of the local area really helpful. S & M M, Cannock, Staffs ‘Quelle surprise’…..what a house of much ambiance & style. J B & C S, Nice, Côte d’Azur Thank you for a wonderful stay – it rivalled the ‘Taj’ – great for relaxing & unwinding. L & J S Reading, Berks You have thought of everything to make a stay perfect…..you have a wonderful place and we will endeavour to spread the word. A S & A R, Wooburn Green, Bucks An oasis in the midst of the storm of life ……….a wonderful much needed break…thank you to you both for everything. P & B Y, Tavistock, Devon Le Petit Bois was very nice, well equipped and comfortable for 3 people to stay in….lovely pool & tennis court……lots to see & do…absolutely fantastic holiday….we hope to be back soon. B & C C Berkhamsted, Herts La Betoulle – c’est presque le paradis sur terre! Accueil parfait en plus ! Revenir ! D S, Brive, Correze Wonderful as always…welcome pack very Fortnum & Mason’s – we’ll know in future that a frantic supermarket visit en route not necessary. Spectacular estate…the pool area especially with plenty of furniture and a great shower. P&V M, Essex
|
Lovely
pool for swimming & the tennis court was well used. The large
grounds are great – beautiful surroundings for walking. Penny &
John could not have been more helpful – especially after we lost our car
in a fire ……….we may never have got home otherwise! Thank you both
for your hospitality & all the free vegetables. We had a brilliant
holiday here & look forward to coming back next year. M H &
family, Ashford, Kent
