Abbaye de Maizières

A heritage jewel in town, with amazingly kind hosts, a place we will go back to, without hesitation, thanks for the very enjoyable stay!

What a charming hotel with an enchanting story behind it. Perfect sized bedrooms with comfy bed and pillows. We had a gorgeous view.

We just returned from 6 nights in Beaune at the Abbey de Maziers. Our plan was 3 days in Beaune then move on to Colmar. However, we fell in love with Beaune and the hospitality at the Abbey and ended up staying for our full 6 nights in France. The greeting and overview of the must-see sights in Beaune by multi-tasking Betty was very helpful and in English. Betty and owner Bruno were able to accommodate us in a recently renovated suite on the third floor with a sitting area and bathroom downstairs and two bedrooms upstairs. The stone bathroom with spa tub and a very unique designer sink was well done as was the remainder of the suite, with a combination of stone, exposed beams and newly constructed walls. We also enjoyed the view of the Notre Dame cathedral from the windows. We can’t say enough about the owner and Abbey staff, who went out of their way to patiently assist all of the guests with planning activities while in Beaune or arrangements to connect with the next destination, drop off at train station, arrange laundry service, provide missing items for picnic, or visit local vineyards. A very reasonable 12 Euro breakfast was served daily in the historic abbey that included a coffee, pastry basket, meat and cheese platter, assorted cereal, fruit and yogurt, and fresh squeezed orange juice. On our last night at the Abbey we enjoyed a romantic, candlelight dinner of the regional specialties with a sample of beef bourguignon, escargot, crème brulee and the ubiquitous wine and cheese. The Abbey does not provide all of the luxuries of a 5 star hotel, but by the time we left after 6 nights, we felt like part of the village. We would definitely return to Beaune and our new friends at the Abbey de Maziers and Frederic at La Boutique Des Domaines.

This hotel has some charm but the physical layout is a huge drawback. The lack of an elevator and the very tight and treacherous spiral staircase is a problem if you are not careful and very fit. The heat/air conditioner was difficult to regulate and our room was small. The bathroom was very small and shower had no shower curtain which meant that the water went everywhere in the bathroom. On the last day of our three day stay, the bathroom smelled like sewage. The breakfast room was in the vaulted basement; charming but dark. The candlelight breakfast was romantic but necessary to see. The staff was generally not very friendly to Americans except for Betty, who was extremely helpful and accommodating. The guy who checked us in was pretty unhelpful, although he warmed a bit by the third day. We would not stay here again.

On paper, Abbaye de Maizieres seems like it would be a great place to stay in Beaune. The location is about as central as you can get, the venue is in a 12th century abbaye, and the rooms are clean and spacious (especially the suites). Where things went from Good to Poor for us were in the small details, most prominently the lack of hot water on 2 out of the 4 mornings we were staying at the hotel. My wife complained after each time, and while the issue was eventually fixed, it felt very shabby, and not in a chic sort of way. Additionally, the gentleman manning the check-in counter each evening was extremely unfriendly, and we did not feel comfortable ordering a nightcap after returning from dinner... it was almost like he didn't want to be bothered by us. Definitely think twice before staying here - there are much better options in town.