Guest Comments

---

Publicity is prone to exaggeration. We will leave it to our guests to persuade you, that if anything, ours is understated!  There are more guest comments to read on TripAdvisor.

---

“Chateau Villars – an oasis of beauty and tranquility….” From the moment you turn into the tree-lined avenue until you are looking at the same view in your rear-view mirror, you wil know that you have found a very special place. Kevin’s warm welcome on the steps, the lovely decor, the comfort of the rooms, the fabulous gardens and pool, the ‘honesty bar’ policy – you could imagine this was your family home in the Dordogne! Dinner in the evening is a special affair – a gathering around a large table on the terrace (weather was wonderful during our stay) meeting new people ,enjoying Bill’s wonderful cooking and Kevin’s gracious hosting, not to mention their after-dinner tales – such fun! If, like my husband and myself, you have no specific dietary requirements other than a love of good food, do not concern yourself that Bill specialises in a gluten-free kitchen – his food is delicious and I know that coeliacs at the table appreciated being able to relax and eat normally with the rest of us without having to question the ingredients. The location of the chateau is superb – in a beautiful area near some stunning French towns and villages. If you don’t want the inconvenience of car hire, then Kevin will pick you up from the local airport and act as your local guide and escort during your stay – the ultimate in a relaxing holiday. Don’t think twice about where to stay in this region of France – you will LOVE it!

Barbara Harle, May 2011

“OUTSTANDING SERVICE above the ‘call of duty’” When my wife was diagnosed as Ceoliac we were lucky enough to locate the Chateau via the net and TripAdvisor. A decision that proved both wise and most enjoyable. Our stay with Kevin and Bill exceeded all our expectations. Having travelled the world and stayed in some of the best hotels, none of them matched the standard or service received here. What more can I see? Delightful location, comfortable room, good food delivered with a friendly attitude….I will return!

Tony Shapps, May 2011

We are going back to the Chateau de Villars for the 3rd time later this year. We will be meeting up with 3 other couples that we met previously in the Chateau. We cannot recommend this place highly enough. Bill and Kevin are the best hosts you will find and the grounds of the chateau are superb. The surrounding villages are beautiful. And most of all the food is fantastic. Why else would we go there 3 times.”  John & Leslie Duncan, 2011

“4th visit to Chateau Villars, looking forward to 5th” Good personal service …attention to detail was excellent as dietry requirements are all catered for, notably Coeliac. A lovely, relaxing holiday.  Norma Littleton, 2011

“We will never forget your hospitality, the beauty of the chateau in its stunning pastoral setting, or the charm of the French countryside. We leave relaxed and happy.”

“We spent a wonderful week at Chataeu Villars this past summer and I would highly recommend it whether you are Coeliac or not. The Chateau is beautiful, food to die for and Bill and Kevin are wonderful hosts. A little bit of heaven on earth !!” Liz Cameron 2011

“Thank you both for your endless efforts and warm friendship during our stay.  We are virtually no one’s standard customers but you met all the challenges we presented to make our visit a memorable one.” Katie & John, Colorado, USA 2010

“If proof were ever needed that there is heaven on earth, this is it”

“The food was outstanding and worry free and made dining so enjoyable and unstressful. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts…”

“Wonderful Welcome
Great Hosts
Lovely Setting
Food great
Beautiful Chateau
The List goes on. We would love to come again!”

“Thank you for the most relaxing holiday ever in such idyllic and serene surroundings.”

“Friendly caring hosts – scrumptious gluten-free food – peaceful, relaxing, interesting – a great holiday!”

“It has been a great help to know that our coeliac needs have been taken care of with great attention and with a quality of cooking that is delicious, imaginative and satisfying”

“We have never experienced a holiday where we have been made to feel we were ‘at home’ from our arrival.”

“How you advertise the Chateau comes up to all expectation – and more! We’ll see you again next year.”

“We hope that all who share time here will leave as relaxed and as reluctantly as we are, but with a hope and a wish to return back soon”

“Merci infiniment de prendre le regime sans gluten d’une facon si serieuse (Quebec, Canada).”

“The real treat for me has been the wonderful, beautifully seasoned and varied food – all of which I can eat!”

“The kiss of the sun for pardon
The song of the bird for mirth
I am near God’s heart at Chateau de Villars
Than anywhere else on earth”

“These guys do a spectacular job at taking care of people. Aspiring hoteliers could learn a lot just following Bill & Kevin around… (Powell River, BC, Canada)”

“Fantastic place for our 40th wedding anniversary. Nothing was too much trouble.”

“Nous sommes certains d’une chose: nous reviendrons!!!” (de Bordeaux, 2009)

“Nothing has been too much trouble and the extra personal touches have made this a memorable stay”

“Your attention to detail makes everything at the Chateau so special.”

“Bill, you are a great chef, especially for our special diets…”

“This is not just a nice place to stay – it is an experience not to be forgotten but definitely to be repeated.”

“You are an inspiring example of creative and exhilarating living”

“You have succeeded in giving us one of the best holidays we have ever had due entirely to your welcome & never ending consideration of your guests needs & comfort. Bill your gluten-free cooking is a dream!”

“Merci d votre accueil hyper sympa! La Dordogne est un superbe département riche an couleurs et en sites… Bill est un ‘super chef’… Kevin toujours souriant et qui se met a la portée de tout le monde… Dans mes moments de ‘cafard’ je penserai bien a vous et a toute l’équipe.” (de Paris, 2008)

“ The little taste of France that this holiday has given us has only made us thirst for more and what better place to do that than to return to the safe haven of the Chateau”

“Delicious gluten-free food (Bill you are truly an inspiration!!) has been such a treat, and knowing that everything is “safe” to eat has been a holiday in itself. Coeliac Heaven!! I will look back on this week with pleasure and am already looking forward to the next visit.”

“This holiday has exceeded all our expectations. From the peaceful surroundings of the Chateau to the wonderful, inspired food”

“Happy to Meet, Sorry to part, Happy to meet again”

“We have been in many places all over the world but have rarely felt so welcome”

““We cannot thank you enough for our wonderful holiday – we both agree it was the best holiday we have ever had. Beautiful food in the warmest of homes & blessed with wonderful people and the bonus of canine company.

“Thank you for such a wonderful week. We could never have chosen a more beautiful place to spend our honeymoon and we will never forget it.”

“Our fellow guests have given us heaps of laughs plus those little touches of luxury have made Villars a special place. Thank you both for your patience and kindness and for giving this family a little corner of heaven to recharge.”

“In the rhythm of life governed by church bells & times to eat – with the anticipation of lovely food, we have found rest & relaxation for our souls. This place has a tranquility & peace that is refreshing. May God bless the creators of such a heaven.”
(Joan & Frank, 2008)

“We will return. In fact how can one not return to paradise. Thank you so much for your wonderful hospitality. We all met as strangers and leave as friends. And the cooking? How could we not mention those gourmet meals. Just wonderful.”
(John & Lesley, 2008)

“Two very special people – you bring sunshine to the lives of the people you touch – such a gift! It’s the second time we’ve stayed with you and the care and effort you have put into making our stay special is greatly appreciated.”
(Fiona & Paul, 2008)

“Vous êtes des gens très humains et pleins d’attentions et de petits soins pour vos invites….nous sommes très heureux d’avoir passe une si belle vacance avec vous.” (de Trois Rivières, Québec 2008)

~

Villars – Early Morning

Barry Norris, August 2007

The air is sharp and clean –
and the sounds of morning
cling and accumulate
like calcite drops –
a scrape-throat crow,

the long, lonely bellow
of a hound, a cockerel,
the crunch of gravel.

By the pool, the sun-shades
slump their heavy shoulders.
the trees drip their early dew,
their shadows shivering on the lawn.
flowers, each day brighter,

open their petals and yawn.
and slowly the urgent clocks
forget to tell the time.

The sun slips slower
across the expanding sky.
the hours of each day
fall like tired leaves
into the Trincou and the Dronne,

and the tranquil minutes
trickle slowly to the sea,
irretrievable and gone.

~