Lamalou-les-Bains holiday apartment: Lamalou-les-Bains

My wife and I and our two children recently spent two wonderful weeks at Chateau Coubillou. Maybe, the best endorsement I can provide is that two weeks was not long enough. As soon as we drove off the main road, just before the small French village of Lamalou-Les-Bains, we thought we were in for a treat, but it just kept getting better. Entering the outer courtyard parking area we got our first glance of this magnificent chateau, but it gets better! We walked into the inner courtyard where the dinner gazebo and Jacuzzi are located and we were greeted by our wonderful hosts Sarah and Phil, the proprietors - it gets better! Phil showed us to our two bedroom apartment – it was not only well furnished but decorated beautifully; they have an uncanny ability to build in modern amenities and still maintain the charm of the centuries old chateau - it gets better! After unpacking we wanted to relax for the rest of the afternoon at the outdoor saltwater pool (no it’s not like the saltwater sea) – there is no chlorine smell. We had the pool to ourselves with this unbelievable view of mountains with castle ruins on top – it gets better! Everyday, in the inner courtyard, Sarah posts the evening meal. You can stay for dinner, go into any of the local villages, fix your own in your apartment or barbeque in one of the barbeque pits around the chateau. If you stay for one of Sarah’s meals you are in for a treat and for a better price than you will find in any of the local restaurants. By the way, the breakfasts in the delightful breakfast room, are a treat and Sarah will fix you a meal most anytime of the day and late into the night.
The atmosphere is so relaxing it is hard to leave for day trips, but believe me, you want to. The whole area is so beautiful and there is surely something for everyone’s taste – from canoeing, caving and mountain lake activities (the kids loved) to historic towns and lots of wineries. If you are fortunate enough to be staying (as we were) with other outstanding/friendly guests evening meals in the courtyard and relaxing days hanging out at the pool will lead to great conversations and lasting friendships. Well, I can’t say enough good things about the proprietors – Sarah and Phil. Two friendlier people you will never meet and believe me they will make sure your stay with them is nothing but enjoyable! Oh! And on moon lit nights, put the kids to bed, grab a bottle of wine and some glasses and sit outside on one of the benches and enjoy watching the moon come over the mountains.