La Cote Saint Jacques
Joigny, Burgundy
Good Hotel Guide Review
“It keeps on improving” according to a visitor returning to the Larain family”s glamorous hotel (Relais & Châteaux), on the banks of the Yonne. “Difficult to criticise,” was another comment, though a third reporter found the atmosphere “a little impersonal”. Manager/chef Jean-Michel Lorain has two Michelin stars for inventive dishes like rosette of lobster and fresh palm nut salad; farm pigeon with blackcurrant pepper, caramelized eggplant, rosemary emulsion. The wine cellar has over 25,000 bottles. Ten “traditional” bedrooms are in the main building; the best ones are reached by a tunnel, decorated with Roman remains. N6. “Ours, overlooking the river, had a balcony with table and two chairs, a bed large enough for a family of four.” There is a summer lounge with terrace, a winter lounge with fireplace and library. The large indoor swimming pool opens on to the garden and there’s a spa with a hammam, sauna, massages and treatments. Children have their own menu, Initiation à la Gourmandise, and babysitters can be arranged. Breakfast is “wonderfully imaginative”. There is a boat for river trips.
Hotel details
Address
14 Faubourg De Paris
Joigny
Burgundy
89300
France
Telephone
00 33 3866 2097 0
Bedrooms
32 rooms, 10 in the hotel's Maison de Famille, 22 overlooking the Yonne river.
Open
Closed Mondays; restaurant closed Mondays & Tuesday lunch.
Facilities
Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, restaurant, summer and winter lounges, library, terrace, bar, spa, gym, indoor swimming pool, cookery school, kids play area.
Children
Yes, cots and extra beds available, plus special menus and baby equipment.
Dogs
Yes, for no charge.
Smoking
No smoking in the hotel.
Credit cards
All major cards accepted.
Prices
Standard double room €150-€450, breakfast €28.