Escape to Paradise: Logis Hotel & Restaurant du Sauvage Awaits!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into Escape to Paradise: Logis Hotel & Restaurant du Sauvage. Get ready for a rollercoaster of thoughts, feelings, and maybe a few typos (hey, it's authentic!).
First Impressions: The Good, the "Huh," and the "Oh, That Happened"
Alright, so, Logis Hotel du Sauvage. The name already sounds like a cheesy action movie, doesn't it? "The Savage" – promises a wild adventure, right? Well, let's see. Pulling into the driveway – car park [on-site], car park [free of charge] (HUGE win, people! Parking can be a NIGHTMARE). My car, bless its little metallic heart, found a cozy spot. Valet parking is also an option, but I'm a "park-it-yourself" kinda gal, you know?
The lobby? Decent. Clean, yes, thanks to a rigorous Daily disinfection in common areas regime and a Front desk [24-hour], always a relief. Air conditioning in public area SCORE! Because nobody wants to sweat before their massage, am I right? The Elevator was a welcome sight (thank god, because those stairs looked intimidating).
Accessibility: Can Everyone Escape Here?
This is important, so let's be real. The website sort of whispers about Facilities for disabled guests. I didn’t see a ton of detail. Ideally, I'd love to hear more directly, or this deserves a follow-up trip to investigate. If you have specific needs, call them directly to confirm.
Rooms: My Sanctuary (And the Slightly-Less-Impressive Parts)
My room? Okay, decent size. Got that good, long sigh-inducing Air conditioning, thank god. And Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!, praise the internet gods! And more Internet access – wireless is always a solid backup. The bed was super comfy, with crisp Linens, a godsend. Blackout curtains were a dream-come-true for blocking out that pesky sun. I love waking up when I want, not when the sun deems it.
Now, for the "interesting" bits. The bathroom. Clean, yes. Functional, mostly. But the shower… oh, the shower. Let's just say the water pressure could have been a little more enthusiastic. And the mirror fogged up way too fast after showering. I couldn’t even see if I had toothpaste on my face after brush. Minor quibbles, really. Also, there was a hair dryer which is always a plus, unless you're a bald dude.
Available in all rooms:
- Additional toilet
- Alarm clock
- Bathrobes
- Bathroom phone
- Bathtub
- Carpeting
- Closet
- Coffee/tea maker
- Complimentary tea
- Desk
- Extra long bed
- Free bottled water
- Hair dryer
- High floor
- In-room safe box
- Interconnecting room(s) available
- Internet access – LAN
- Internet access – wireless
- Ironing facilities
- Laptop workspace
- Linens
- Mini bar
- Mirror
- Non-smoking
- On-demand movies
- Private bathroom
- Reading light
- Refrigerator
- Safety/security feature
- Satellite/cable channels
- Scale
- Seating area
- Separate shower/bathtub
- Shower
- Slippers
- Smoke detector
- Socket near the bed
- Sofa
- Soundproofing
- Telephone
- Toiletries
- Towels
- Umbrella
- Visual alarm
- Wake-up service
- Wi-Fi [free]
- Window that opens
Quick note: Non-smoking rooms, are available, which is fantastic for non-smokers.
The Food: Bless the French, and the Buffet
Okay, let's talk food. I did the Breakfast [buffet] and let me tell ya, it was a thing. A good thing. I’m talking croissants that practically melted in my mouth, fresh fruit that tasted like the sun, and a coffee machine that actually made decent coffee (a rarity!). The Asian breakfast was also surprisingly good according to some of the other guests.
I also did a dinner at the Restaurant. The menu offered plenty of Asian options, as well as the standard Western cuisine. Desserts in restaurant didn’t disappoint. The food was good, the ambiance was nice, but it felt…safe. Like, you know, good, but not mind-blowing.
Dining, drinking, and snacking: * A la carte in restaurant * Alternative meal arrangement * Asian breakfast * Asian cuisine in restaurant * Bar * Bottle of water * Breakfast [buffet] * Breakfast service * Buffet in restaurant * Coffee/tea in restaurant * Coffee shop * Desserts in restaurant * Happy hour * International cuisine in restaurant * Poolside bar * Restaurants * Room service [24-hour] * Salad in restaurant * Snack bar * Soup in restaurant * Vegetarian restaurant * Western breakfast * Western cuisine in restaurant
Things to Do (or, "Why I Loved the Spa, And Why I Needed It")
This is where Logis du Sauvage shined. I dove headfirst into the Spa. And, oh my god, I needed it. I had a seriously stressed-out week at work, and my shoulders were practically screaming. I got the Massage. Seriously, that woman could have molded me into a completely new, more relaxed human. The Spa/sauna was the best, I especially loved the Sauna! Then I spent some time in the Steamroom. Magical.
The Swimming pool [outdoor] looked amazing, but it was a bit chilly for my tastes. The view from the pool area? Breathtaking. Worth it just for that! Gym/fitness is also there for the more energetic guests.
Things to do, ways to relax: * Body scrub * Body wrap * Fitness center * Foot bath * Gym/fitness * Massage * Pool with view * Sauna * Spa * Spa/sauna * Steamroom * Swimming pool * Swimming pool [outdoor]
Cleanliness and Safety: Feeling Secure (and Smelling the Bleach)
Listen, in this post-pandemic world, I'm hyper-aware of cleanliness, and I feel like everyone should. Logis Hotel du Sauvage gets a gold star here. The staff are on it. They are using Anti-viral cleaning products, and they follow Daily disinfection in common areas. You can tell they are serious. Plus, they offer a lot of options: Room sanitization opt-out available, Hygiene certification, Safe dining setup, Hand sanitizer, Staff trained in safety protocol. It does make you feel safe. They also have a First aid kit and a Doctor/nurse on call.
Cleanliness and safety: * Anti-viral cleaning products * Breakfast in room * Breakfast takeaway service * Cashless payment service * Daily disinfection in common areas * Doctor/nurse on call * First aid kit * Hand sanitizer * Hot water linen and laundry washing * Hygiene certification * Individually-wrapped food options * Physical distancing of at least 1 meter * Professional-grade sanitizing services * Room sanitization opt-out available * Rooms sanitized between stays * Safe dining setup * Sanitized kitchen and tableware items * Shared stationery removed * Staff trained in safety protocol * **Sterilizing equipment
Bangkok's HOTTEST Skyline Loft: Luxury, Cozy, 5-Min BTS!
Alright, buckle up buttercups! Because this ain't your glossy brochure itinerary. This is the real deal, the messy, glorious, slightly-off-kilter adventure that is my (attempted) stay at the Logis Hotel & Restaurant du Sauvage in La Ferté-Gaucher, France. Prepare for a rollercoaster of emotions…mostly involving the French, food and existential dread of being lost.
Day 1: Arrival and the Great Baguette Crisis
- 10:00 AM (ish): Landed in Paris. Jet lag already gnawing at my brain like a particularly hungry chihuahua. The customs guy looked at my passport like I'd personally insulted the Louvre. Found the train to La Ferté-Gaucher. Praying my high school French kicks in. Bonne chance, moi! I'm already picturing myself ordering a coffee and accidentally asking for a live goat.
- 1:00 PM: Arrived at La Ferté-Gaucher station. Tiny. Charming. And… deserted. Okay, deep breaths. Found a charmingly dilapidated taxi. The driver, a man named Pierre with eyes that twinkled like old car headlights, tried to explain something to me in rapid-fire French that sounded like a beautiful, melodious sneeze. I just smiled and nodded, hoping it wasn’t "beware of the rabid squirrels."
- 1:30 PM: The Baguette Incident of '23: Checked into the Logis Hotel. The lobby smelled like old books and promise, which is already a win. The woman at the desk, Madame Dubois, gave me a look that could curdle cream. I swear I saw a slight twitch in her eye when I butchered my attempt at "Bonjour Madame." She did, however, direct me to the boulangerie around the corner. Disaster struck. Faced with a glorious display of baguettes and pastries, I completely blanked. I pointed wildly, uttered a strangled "uh… bread, please?" and ended up with something that looked suspiciously like a giant bread pretzel. Oh well. At least it's carbs. Time to face the music (and the pastries).
- 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Room settling and exploring the town. Wandered down into the center of the beautiful town. Sat on a bench in the town square, observing a couple of pigeons having a very loud argument. Decided the French are just inherently dramatic. My room is charmingly rustic, which is code for "ancient but clean… mostly." Wondering if the plumbing is older than my grandmother.
- 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Exploring the local church: Took a peek inside the local church. The stained glass was gorgeous, and it was nice to pause and just be, you know? But still, I couldn't shake the feeling that everyone was silently judging my terrible French.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner at the Hotel Restaurant: Ordered the plat du jour (fish…I think?) with a side of "whatever's cheap". The food was surprisingly good, even despite my usual clumsy efforts with table manners. The wine… let's just say a bottle disappeared very fast. Now, I feel very relaxed. A bit too relaxed…
Day 2: The Cheese Odyssey & My Existential Crisis
- 9:00 AM: Breakfast at the hotel. Managed to procure a croissant without accidentally ordering a whole cow. Victory! Coffee is strong, the bread is delicious, and I successfully navigate the cheese selection. Life is good. For now.
- 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM: The Cheese Shop Revelation: Decided to be adventurous, and hit up the local fromagerie. I'm pretty sure I spent an hour just staring at the cheese selection, my brain melting like a particularly stinky brie. Finally, with the help of a very patient cheesemonger (who also looked vaguely skeptical of my sanity), I emerged victorious with a selection of cheeses that could feed an army. I'm pretty sure I'm going to die of happiness. And perhaps a little lactose intolerance.
- 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM: Picnic Panic. Found a lovely spot by the river for a picnic. Except, I'd forgotten a vital component: a bottle opener. Spent a solid 20 minutes trying to open a bottle of wine with a rock. Thankfully, the local wildlife seemed more amused than concerned.
- 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Exploring the area and tried to take photos of the countryside. I have absolutely no artistic talent. My photos look like a toddler took them. The French countryside is beautiful, but my camera skills are a tragedy. Realized I need professional lessons. Or a new camera. Or both.
- 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM: The Existential Walk: Took a walk. Just a walk. No destination, no itinerary. Just wandering and thinking. This quickly devolved into an existential crisis. Why am I here? What is the meaning of brie? Is my French really that bad?
- 7:00 PM: Dinner at the Hotel Restaurant: Back to the restaurant. Back to the wine. Ordered something I couldn't pronounce. It arrived. I ate it. I think I liked it. By the time I got into bed, I felt as if I had been transported to a different dimension.
Day 3: Departure (and a Mild Break Down)
- 9:00 AM: Breakfast and the inevitable farewell conversation with Madame Dubois. This time she gave me a small, almost imperceptible smile. Did I perhaps, maybe, slightly redeem myself?
- 10:00 AM: Checked out. Said goodbye to Pierre, my taxi driver. He winked. I think he knows me too well.
- 10:30 AM - 11:00 AM: Final Scavenging: One last sweep through the town for souvenirs. Found a postcard. A mug. A slightly questionable piece of art. Realized I am officially a tourist.
- 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM: The Travel Debrief: sat down, and reflected. Found it to be a bit stressful at times. The language barrier was an issue, not knowing anyone. The food was pretty amazing. The cheese was a life-changing experience.
- 12:00 PM: Departed. On the train back to Paris, a wave of melancholy washes over me. France, you magnificent, slightly chaotic, cheese-filled beast. I'll be back, even if I come back knowing only how to order "uh… bread, please?" And hopefully, I'll have learned to properly pronounce "bonjour." Maybe. Probably not.
- 2:00 PM: Back in Paris: Headed back to the airport. Still have time to grab a coffee before heading home.
- Conclusion: I am exhausted, slightly bewildered, and utterly in love with the awkward, imperfect beauty of travel. This was not the trip I had planned, but it was the trip I needed. And hey, at least I didn't get arrested for trying to steal a baguette… yet.
Escape to Paradise: Logis Hotel & Restaurant du Sauvage Awaits! - Ask Me Anything (But Be Warned, I'm Opinionated!)
Okay, so... is this place *really* all it's cracked up to be? Escape to Paradise, huh? Tell me the REAL deal.
Alright, buckle up. "Escape to Paradise?" That’s what the brochure said, all right. And look, the *location*? Stunning. Seriously. Think postcard-perfect: rolling hills, vineyards that just *beg* to be photographed, the whole shebang. But... and there's always a "but," isn't there? ... It's not *perfect* paradise. More like, you know, a paradise that's had a few too many espressos. I mean, sometimes the "rustic charm" veers a little *too* rustic. Like, my first room, I swear the plumbing was from the Crusades. More on that later.
The food! Everyone raves about the Restaurant du Sauvage. What's the story? Is it worth the hype (and the price tag)?
Okay, the food. Deep breaths. This is where things get… complicated. The hype is *real*. Chef Antoine is a wizard. Seriously, some of the dishes were transcendent. The *foie gras* terrine? Melt-in-your-mouth perfection. The wine pairings? Brilliant. But...and here's my BIG "but"... the waiting. Oh. My. GOD. The waiting! Dinner took three hours. Three hours! I swear, I aged a year waiting for the cheese course. And the service? Let's just say, it was "relaxed". You'll get your water refilled… eventually . But when it's good? Oh man, it's *good*. I still dream about that truffle risotto...but the wait times are a killer. Prepare to be patient.
Rooms! What are they like? Cozy, luxurious, or… ?
Okay, the rooms. This is where "rustic charm" took a *hard* right turn into "slightly dilapidated". Remember that plumbing I mentioned? Yeah. In my first room, the shower head coughed out more brown water than actual water. I actually had to switch rooms (thankfully, they were accommodating). The second room was better, thankfully. Old, sure. But clean. Some have balconies, so you can enjoy the view, but be warned: thin walls. You'll hear everything. And I do mean *everything*. Cough, cough, cough. The beds are comfy, though, which is a lifesaver after a long day of... well, waiting for dinner. Also, pack earplugs. Just trust me on this.
The staff! Are they friendly, helpful, or… more reserved?
The staff... hmmm. It's a mixed bag. Some are truly lovely, genuinely warm and eager to please. The woman at the front desk (I think her name was Isabelle?) was an absolute angel. Always smiling, always helpful, even when I was complaining about the brown water. Others? A little… frosty. Let’s just say, they're not exactly overflowing with effusiveness. Might depend on the day. It would be nice to have a little more training when they are at the restaurant. Some seemed rushed at the service, with no time to explain details. Overall the staff did get the job done, but do not expect them to be talkative.
Is there anything else to do besides eat and sleep! What about activities?
Activities! Well, yeah! There are… activities. There's hiking (the views are spectacular!), wine tasting (obviously!), exploring the local villages, and… well, that’s pretty much it. Oh, and there’s a small pool. But it's… small. And I didn't use it because the thought of getting into a presumably un-chlorinated pool didn't appeal to me. It’s the kind of place where you go to *unplug* and just… be. If you're looking for a wild party scene, you’ve come to the *wrong* place. It's all about slow living and the beauty of the region.. But sometimes, I have to admit, I kinda missed Netflix.
I've heard of a specific issue. What's up with the wifi situation?
The wifi. Oh, the wifi. Let me paint you a picture. I'm in my room, desperately trying to upload a photo to Instagram. The little loading spinner spins, and spins, and spins… A full hour. Then it times out. And I'm there, staring at my phone, wondering if I'm living in the Stone Age. It's spotty at best. A real test of your patience because it is very unreliable throughout the property. Be warned. Embrace the digital detox... or buy some seriously expensive international data. I was lucky and didn't really need to work, but I ended up writing with pen and paper!
Would you go back? Is it worth the hassle?
Okay, the million-dollar question. Would I go back? Honestly? Yeah, probably. Even with the wonky wifi, the three-hour dinners, and the… shall we say, *vintage* plumbing. Because when it's good, it's *really* good. The location is soul-soothing. The food, when it arrives, is divine. And there's a certain… *charm* to the place, warts and all. It's the kind of place that sticks with you. You'll laugh about it later. You'll tell stories. And yeah, you might need a vacation *from* your vacation. But overall? Yeah. Worth it. Just pack your patience, your earplugs, and maybe a good book to read while you wait for your *apéritif*. But on the other hand...the price tag...it's steep for what you get. So, seriously consider that.
So what's the best advice for first timers?
Alright, here's your survival guide: First off, bring a portable charger! You'll spend a lot of time on your phone out of boredom and need a way to charge it. Download offline movies and music. Bring comfortable shoes, you'll want to explore. Pack noise-canceling headphones to block out noise. Learn a few basic French phrases, even if you mess them up, it can make the staff friendlier. Book dinner reservations *well* in advance and then... be ready to wait. Finally, embrace the imperfections. It's part of the experience. And honestly, in my experience, the imperfections were part of the charm. And also, definitely order the truffle risotto. You won't regret it. Just... make sure you order it *early*.
