Whatever one thinks about Viollet-le-Duc’s restoration of Carcassonne's citadel, there’s no getting away from the fact that it is an enormous draw for tourists. The Hotel du Château is one of several hotels that we have been selected as ‘memorable’ principally because of a prime location close to an historic site.
There is a huge choice of places to stay here but the Hotel du Château has a number of unique advantages over the many other establishments that the city has spawned. It stands just outside the walls in a relatively quiet location – this is exactly where you want to be so that you can walk into the citadel for meals and yet escape from the crowds at peak times. The private enclosed car park is a godsend as the public car parks fill up so quickly throughout the season. And the swimming pool, heated from Easter to November, the Carita spa and the open-air jacuzzi allow you to relax and cool off after your sight-seeing. In addition to these trump cards, it has recently-renovated bedrooms and suites that reflect the ‘boutique’ style of the young owners.
Hence all these plus points go a long way to justify the top-end prices. Make sure, however, that you know your room mate intimately; the glass panels that separate some bathrooms and loos from their bedrooms leave little room for prudishness!