Mustn’t get carried away here but the Etangs de Guibert is one of our most recommended hotels. Smart without being pretentious. Tastefully decorated with style and warmth without going OTT. Impeccably clean. And spacious and light to take full advantage of the tranquil, pastoral location.
Furthermore the prices are terribly reasonable. Oh, and there’s a charming welcome from chef patron Xavier Frenot, his wife Julie and their very professional team. You may have to make a detour to get here but you won’t regret it. Alternatively it’s a convenient stopover between Le Mans and Alençon, a great place for a romantic weekend or a tranquil hideout for anyone with an eye for carp and trout in the hotel’s 20 acre lake.
Work up an appetite for dinner on the lake-side terrace with a stroll along the trails in the 30 acres of woodland that shelter this serene location. The cuisine is delectable, artistically presented and yet without any of those bonkers creations which generate interminable delays while show-off chefs 'design' your next course.
The accommodations are spacious and elegant with sensibly thought-out, immaculate bathrooms. We like rooms 5 & 6 which overlook the lake but there’s also a very attractive suite with a balcony that catches the afternoon sun.
The Memorable Hotel Guide is really all about establishments like this. It’s very, very good of its kind.