Sweeping down the drive to Chateau St Pierre de Serjac, you know you're in for a real treat. 220 acres of lush vineyards flank your journey, and as you turn the final corner you're faced with whimsical turrets and grand, historic splendour. It is a seriously impressive building. Originally restored in 1896, the chateau was once again renovated in 2016 to become a luxury boutique hotel. There are now 8 guest bedrooms, including one-of-a-kind La Chapelle (the original family's personal chapel) on the top floor. Opulently decorated with sparkling chandeliers and full shutters, plus beautiful views across the heated infinity pool and vineyards, they're a cool respite from the summer heat or a cosy retreat in winter. There's a very personalised atmosphere; staff are really friendly, most of them locals.
The midnight-blue restaurant is chic, its food imaginative and beautifully presented. There's also a cocktail bar, an airy spa and a full-size Masterclay tennis court. Days are spent exploring this authentically French corner of the Languedoc: vineyards, rolling hills, sleepy villages and chateaux at every turn. And with 3 airports all an easy drive away, this is a perfect candidate for a relaxed short break living la belle vie.
Highs
- Perfect for a romantic weekend or special occasion
- Decadent, spacious bedrooms with antique mirrors, heavy chandeliers, velvet chaise longues and roll-top baths
- Masses of space both indoors and out, including sunny spots in the grounds to hide away
- Foodies will love the sophisticated fare: brandade of cod with snails, roasted pigeon with confit apples in an arabica-coffee jus
- A Mediterranean-inspired spa with indoor pool and Cinq Mondes treatments
Lows
- The estate is also home to 36 s/c villas, popular with families in school holidays. In summer, the main pool may get busy (though 17 of the villas have private pools), and the hotel vibe isn't so intimate
- Full pre-payment 60 days prior to arrival, and rates don't include breakfast or spa entry
- No extra beds; the hotel is a tranquil haven aimed at adults (0-2 years olds in cots are welcome)
- You'll need a car to get here and to make the most of the area
- Dinner is delicious but formal. If you're staying a few nights in low season and want something more relaxed, you'll need to drive or cycle out; in summer there's a more casual terrace menu, too
Best time to go
May/June and September are beautiful as the weather is warm and the vines are growing. September will be a little noisier as the bulk of the work in the winery will be ongoing at this time. If you are looking for a peaceful retreat, it may be best to avoid school holidays when the neighbouring villas will be popular with families.
Our top tips
Make time for cocktails. Our basil smash cocktail was perfection!
- Boutique Hotel
- 8 rooms
- Restaurant and bar open daily
- Not ideal; babies only
- Open all year
- Pools
- Spa
- Beach Nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car essential
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
- Tennis Court
- Bicycles Available
- Electric car charger
Rooms
The 8 rooms are reached via a sweeping central staircase. It's a suitably theatrical intro to the opulent décor that awaits - chaise longues in silver velvet, wood beams, heavy grape throws and perfectly crisp linens (you almost expect them to be monogrammed). There's no shortage of space either - vast bathrooms and deep wardrobes mean you can really settle in.
Room 1 on the first floor (a Luxury) was our favourite, with a huge roll-top bathtub in the bedroom, and sweeping views of the pool and vineyards. The Standard rooms are equally grand; just a bit smaller, with views to the side of the chateau. All rooms have a bath, fragrant Cinq Mondes toiletries, and thick his'n'hers bathrobes. Luxury rooms and La Chapelle also have showers.
Top-floor La Chapelle was once the family's personal chapel, now converted into a stunning, utterly unique bedroom with original hand-painted gold murals. It's slightly smaller than the other rooms, but history buffs will adore it.
Features include:
- Air conditioning
- Bathrobes
- Bluetooth sound system
- Cots available
- DVD player
- Minibar
- Safe box
- Toiletries
- TV
- WiFi
Eating
The ground-floor restaurant is decorated in a sophisticated midnight blue, with vintage botanical and bird prints, sparkling chandeliers and wicker chairs. Menus rely heavily on fresh local produce – and in Languedoc, there's no shortage of heavenly offerings.
Dinner is a formal affair, all linen napkins, beautiful long-stemmed glasses and silverware polished to perfection. Presentation is exquisite. Typically French food has been given an imaginative, modern twist – perhaps cod in a squid, chorizo and red-wine ragout, followed by saffron iced parfait and exotic fruit compote – and is served with aplomb by excellent staff. There's a tasting menu, too. And Chateau St Pierre de Serjac vintages can be bought at the on-site wine shop.
Breakfast is a fabulous buffet, with local cheeses and charcuterie, fresh pastries and baguettes, and excellent coffee. You may not need lunch afterwards, but you'll certainly be tempted by the great-value set menus and a spot on the sunny terrace to enjoy the views.
There are a few restaurants in Puissalicon village, which is a 25 minute-walk or 10 minute-bike ride through the vineyards, or less than 5 minutes by car.
Features include:
- Bar
- Restaurant
- Restaurants nearby
- Room service
Activities
- Laze by the pool with a good book and a glass of local wine
- Build up a sweat on the tennis court, cool off in the infinity pool, then play boules or borrow bikes to explore 200 acres of estate
- With wine domaines at every turn of the road hereabouts, you can taste vintages of every colour, age and varietal
- Spend a decadent afternoon in the spa - our Moroccan massage was a blissful stress buster, and there's a full treatment menu, plus a steam room, sauna, indoor pool and Jacuzzi. (Open daily all year)
- The Saturday market in nearby Pezenas takes over the whole town centre; excellent fruit and veg, saucissons, cheeses and fish. We also loved the cobbled back streets, whose quirky little artisan shops sell everything from classic espadrilles to jewellery, delicious biscuits and tapenades
- Stunning beaches are a 30-40 minute drive. Take your pick from La Tamarissière (a long beach backing onto a pine forest, with excellent kite- and windsurfing), Serignan (gloriously wild) or Portiragnes (great sailing and golden sands)
- Go horse riding in the hills, try river kayaking, or bring your walking boots to explore the glorious countryside
- The 18-hole golf course at Béziers St Thomas (20 mins' drive) welcomes non-members
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Cycling
- Golf
- Hiking
- Historical sites
- Horse riding
- Kayaking
- Kitesurfing
- Museums / galleries
- Sailing
- Shopping / markets
- Swimming
- Tennis
- Well being
- Wine tasting
Kids
The hotel is aimed at adults - it's an elegant and quiet retreat. Baby cots (for 0-2 year olds) can be added to the rooms but there are no extra beds. See the self-catering villas on the same estate if you want to come with kids.
Best for:
Babies (0-1 years)
Family friendly accommodation:
Cots Available
Baby equipment:
Baby cots, high chairs.
Remember baby and child equipment may be limited or need pre-booking
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
The St Pierre de Serjac estate lies between the villages of Pouzolles and Magalas in the Languedoc region of southwest France. It is 35 minutes from the coast and 25 minutes from Béziers.
By Air:
Béziers Airport (32km) is the nearest; Montpellier (85km) has more flights. You could also consider Carcassonne or Nimes (120-130km). You'll want a hire car - see our recommendations.
By Train:
If you'd prefer to travel overland from the UK, there are good services to Montpellier and then on to Béziers. If you are coming from London and your train is not direct, we recommend you change trains in Lille (a platform change) rather than Paris (a station change).
Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.com.
More on getting to France and getting around
Airports:
- Béziers 32.0 km BZR
- Montpellier 85.0 km MPL
Other:
- Beach 34.0 km
- Shops 3.0 km
- Restaurant 3.0 km