Villa St. Simon
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About
4.5
#2 of 6 B&Bs in BlayeLocation
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Welcome to Villa St Simon - Your home from home in Bordeaux. Villa St Simon in Bordeaux offers charming period furnished rooms and modern equipped self-catering apartments. The 1860 villa is an ideal base for your guided or self-explored wine tours in the Bordeaux region and a great place for a relaxing holiday. Blaye is in the heart of the Côtes de Blaye and Côtes de Bourg winelands and only a 20min ferry trip away from the Medoc with its famous first growths and a 40min drive away from the City of Bordeaux and St Emilion. The Citadel, UNESCO World Heritage site, traditional French cuisine, and great wines of the region will make your stay with us a unique and memorable experience - that should not be missed!
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Property amenities
Free parking
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Bar / lounge
Hiking
Horseback riding
Babysitting
Pets Allowed ( Dog / Pet Friendly )
Airport transportation
Wifi
Billiards
Table tennis
Shuttle bus service
Gift shop
Non-smoking hotel
Laundry service
Ironing service
Room features
Iron
Kitchenette
Flatscreen TV
Hair dryer
Room types
Bridal suite
Non-smoking rooms
Suites
Family rooms
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
Modern
Trendy
Languages Spoken
English, French, German
Location
8 cours du General de Gaulle, 33390, Blaye France
Name/address in local language
Getting there
Good for walkers
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travellers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
Grade: 83 out of 100
83
Bordeaux Airport
33.1 km•
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23 Restaurants
within 0.5 kilometers
227Reviews0Q+A39Room tips
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Detailed Reviews
My partner and I stayed at Villa St. Simon for 5 nights beginning of October 2013. We also went on 3 off the wine tours (Blaye, Saint Emilion and Medoc). The accommodation was comfortable, quirky and very reasonable in price. We personally found the hosts Les and Clarissa helpful, warm and very generous. The atmosphere that they have created is very unique. All the people that we meet at the B&B were very open for conversation and just wanting to enjoy themselves. Highly recommend for anyone wanting a complete wine experience.
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Date of stay: October 2013Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Last weekend we went to Blaye, in the Bordeaux region, for Blair’s (my husband) birthday. I’d booked a mini-chateau rental, where we could hole up and drink wine, think, paint a few pictures... in fact, it was a dud (remember 1313 Mockingbird Lane? WORSE)
Luckily, Blair had done his own reconnaissance via the internet. He'd set his cap for VILLA ST SIMON. I had to admit Villa St. Simon was beautiful –“ but Blair, it’s a bed and breakfast.” I don't want to see pictures of the grandkids. (we didn't)
I bemoaned my misfortune, drank two glasses of the local wine (super), and bucked up to the challenge. I actually LIKED the owners, a pair of lively South Africans who spoke English (and French and German). She’d been an artist, he played music and they did a terrific job renovating the property (with the help of a third “hands on” partner, who also worked on vintage French cars (think 2CV, or the marvelous beetle-y DX Citroen with the hydraulic lifts)). All of this equals an inevitable friendship. I was besot, and it wasn't the wine.
It poured rain on the drive all the way there, and the entire next day. Luckily, we had the room with three floor-to-ceiling windows that looked out at chestnuts in blossom and the little ferry that chugged over to Medoc. I sat in my chair and gelled, in love with the situation.
Next day, we took the ferry to a winery across the Gironde and painted pictures umbrella pines and pin oaks. We fished with a local boy trying to catch fish specialties of the region (he couldn't tie his hook properly -- he was 7). We visited the point where the river joins the sea, punctuated by one of those rugged French Atlantic lighthouses. That night (at the restaurant in la Citadelle, the Vauvan fort, in Blaye) we ate sturgeon raised in the river.
All this was to the tune of Bordeaux wines: Margaux and Medoc, Cote de Bourg and Cote de Baye – the northern Bordeaux. Villa St Simon's specialty: wine tastings in their own cellar.
You can't go wrong here. And I won't say mean things about B&B's anymore, at least with Villa St. Simon in mind.
.
Luckily, Blair had done his own reconnaissance via the internet. He'd set his cap for VILLA ST SIMON. I had to admit Villa St. Simon was beautiful –“ but Blair, it’s a bed and breakfast.” I don't want to see pictures of the grandkids. (we didn't)
I bemoaned my misfortune, drank two glasses of the local wine (super), and bucked up to the challenge. I actually LIKED the owners, a pair of lively South Africans who spoke English (and French and German). She’d been an artist, he played music and they did a terrific job renovating the property (with the help of a third “hands on” partner, who also worked on vintage French cars (think 2CV, or the marvelous beetle-y DX Citroen with the hydraulic lifts)). All of this equals an inevitable friendship. I was besot, and it wasn't the wine.
It poured rain on the drive all the way there, and the entire next day. Luckily, we had the room with three floor-to-ceiling windows that looked out at chestnuts in blossom and the little ferry that chugged over to Medoc. I sat in my chair and gelled, in love with the situation.
Next day, we took the ferry to a winery across the Gironde and painted pictures umbrella pines and pin oaks. We fished with a local boy trying to catch fish specialties of the region (he couldn't tie his hook properly -- he was 7). We visited the point where the river joins the sea, punctuated by one of those rugged French Atlantic lighthouses. That night (at the restaurant in la Citadelle, the Vauvan fort, in Blaye) we ate sturgeon raised in the river.
All this was to the tune of Bordeaux wines: Margaux and Medoc, Cote de Bourg and Cote de Baye – the northern Bordeaux. Villa St Simon's specialty: wine tastings in their own cellar.
You can't go wrong here. And I won't say mean things about B&B's anymore, at least with Villa St. Simon in mind.
.
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Date of stay: May 2012Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip: that first floor room with the fireplace and balcony -- excellent
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Clarissa was delightful, friendly and helpful. After traveling over 24 hours, I needed to crash. After my pick up at the train station, she helped me settle into my "apartment" where I had a small kitchen and separate sitting room. It was comfortable and private. The breakfast at the hotel was excellent and the next day I was able to join a wine tour during my stay. If I had wanted, she had bicycles available to explore the city and the beautiful area. The location is great, near the Citadel, a market on Wednesday and Saturday and near a park and the ferries.
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Date of stay: May 2015Trip type: Travelled solo
Rooms
Service
Room Tip: All the rooms have a distinct personality, plus there are 'apartments' separate from the...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The Julien "suite" has 2 rooms, and ensuite facilities. But the bath room is only accessible through the second bedroom. (there is a door from the bathroom to the landing but you would have to leave this unlocked). The rooms are sparsely furnished with not even room for a bedside table in one of them. The curtains were half hanging off the pole. Some tiles in the loo were cracked and the handle of the loo was faulty. There aren't televisions in all the rooms as described.
Despite saying it is a bed and breakfast establishment, breakfast is extra with no mention of price on the website.
Security is deplorable. You have to leave your room key in the dining room at all times that you leave the place. This room which opens on to the street, is often unlocked. We returned one evening about 8:00 - we were able to enter and, the keys to other rooms were present but we had to ring by telephone to get ours. I don't think that anyone lives on the premises.
Despite having rooms on 3 floors, there no visible fire extinguishers, fire detectors, fire directions or signs.
Good points - plenty of towels, nice bed linen. Good, well-equipped kitchen if you want to self-cater. Bowl of fruit for residents. Hosts are very friendly. But remember they are selling wine tours up to E165 for a day's tour. Nightly house tastings of at least 3 wines is E25.
Despite saying it is a bed and breakfast establishment, breakfast is extra with no mention of price on the website.
Security is deplorable. You have to leave your room key in the dining room at all times that you leave the place. This room which opens on to the street, is often unlocked. We returned one evening about 8:00 - we were able to enter and, the keys to other rooms were present but we had to ring by telephone to get ours. I don't think that anyone lives on the premises.
Despite having rooms on 3 floors, there no visible fire extinguishers, fire detectors, fire directions or signs.
Good points - plenty of towels, nice bed linen. Good, well-equipped kitchen if you want to self-cater. Bowl of fruit for residents. Hosts are very friendly. But remember they are selling wine tours up to E165 for a day's tour. Nightly house tastings of at least 3 wines is E25.
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Date of stay: October 2010Trip type: Travelled with family
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Frankdm, Owner at Villa St. Simon
Responded 22 Oct 2010
These guests confirm how discreet our security is so they can enjoy the ambience to the full, and obviously did not notice the CCTV cameras covering the building. The owners live in the adjacent apartment. In eight years there has never been a single item of any guest missing in the Villa,and Blaye is one of the safest and most tranquil places in an increasingly frenetic world, hence the popularity of the Villa. Most of our guests don’t lock their room doors. A comparison of wine tour prices will show ours as being the most reasonable of any in the area by a huge margin, ours start at E48, and a cursory glance at our visitors book would assure anyone of the appreciation of the value of our wine experience. There are televisions in every room, but Julian is a suite of two rooms and only has a television in one of them. We plead guilty to the curtains sometimes hooks come off when guests close these, but we normally replace immediately. Many guests have enjoyed the Julian suite with their family and the door can be accessed with a key from the outside, which has never been a problem. This guest’s description of the room is at odds with all other guests who have found the room charming but beauty is in the eye of the beholder. We appreciate this guest taking the time to write in any event, and for the positive comments too. Les Kellen - Proprietor Villa St Simon
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We stayed for 2 nights in late June - 2 couples travelling together from Australia, having booked online around 6 months prior. Our greeting was warm and then we were shown our rooms. We were provided in one instance with what was apparrently the best room in the house. If you expect a one or two star B&B then this would meet your expectation, but it did not meet ours. The second room was initially in the attic - up three flights of stairs with heavy luggage to be carried by us. No offer of assistance. After objecting to this very warm and small room, we were relocated to the next floor down, which was average at best but better than the attic.
The 'Best room' in the house did not live up to anything that I would expcet from a supposedly quality B&B. The beds were hard and uncomfortable as well as small, there was only a bottom sheet and Duvet with cover, no top sheet, no air con, no cooling of any sort. If you open the windows then you smell the drains outside, and the traffic noise is aweful. The bathroom light was poor, the water pressure was appalling. It took more than half an hour to run a bath!
The second room was small, but exposed badly to the noise in the street behind. The bed was uncomfortable and small.
Our impression was that the staff are friendly and helpful when they are there, but there appears there is no one on site after hours. Les and Julien are friendly and helpful people who are running a business, we were disappointed in the quality of the accommodation compared to our impression to that advertised on the website.
The 'Best room' in the house did not live up to anything that I would expcet from a supposedly quality B&B. The beds were hard and uncomfortable as well as small, there was only a bottom sheet and Duvet with cover, no top sheet, no air con, no cooling of any sort. If you open the windows then you smell the drains outside, and the traffic noise is aweful. The bathroom light was poor, the water pressure was appalling. It took more than half an hour to run a bath!
The second room was small, but exposed badly to the noise in the street behind. The bed was uncomfortable and small.
Our impression was that the staff are friendly and helpful when they are there, but there appears there is no one on site after hours. Les and Julien are friendly and helpful people who are running a business, we were disappointed in the quality of the accommodation compared to our impression to that advertised on the website.
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Date of stay: June 2010Trip type: Travelled with friends
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
En-route through France to Spain we happened upon Blaye and what an amazing delight it was. From the moment Clarissa opened the door of Villa St. Simon my partner and I were treated like returning friends. The entrance room, doubling as the breakfast room was full of beautiful antiques with a real home from home feel. Our room at the side of the property was perfect. Comfortable beds, super en-suite shower room and gorgeous Juliet balconies overlooking the street, even a kitchen that we could use next door. Breakfast was delicious with a selection of freshly baked bread and croissants, fresh orange juice and steaming hot coffee. Les gave us the grand tour of their restaurant and beautifully restored apartments above and a peek into his amazing wine cellar below!!! My only wish was that we could not have stayed longer but we will most certainly return on our next trip back to the UK.
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Date of stay: January 2015Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Value
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We visited Villa St Simon for a girls mini break based on a recommendation from a friend, and what a great recommendation it was!
Blaye is quaint and authentic and after day 1 we had forgotten the stresses of city life and completely relaxed. Villa St Simon is unique and like stepping back in time which fit perfectly with unspoiled Blaye.
The team there made us feel like friends and made sure we had everything we needed, including an extensive supply of lovely red wine's which is of course why we were visiting!
We particularly enjoyed the local cycle routes and the amazing food at the gallery.
Blaye is quaint and authentic and after day 1 we had forgotten the stresses of city life and completely relaxed. Villa St Simon is unique and like stepping back in time which fit perfectly with unspoiled Blaye.
The team there made us feel like friends and made sure we had everything we needed, including an extensive supply of lovely red wine's which is of course why we were visiting!
We particularly enjoyed the local cycle routes and the amazing food at the gallery.
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Date of stay: October 2014Trip type: Travelled with friends
Value
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip: The cone room is beautiful but only if you don't mind the stairs!
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We made a last minute booking direct with the owners and although most of the rooms were already booked, including the one we had chosen from their website, we were very pleased with our room - a spacious and comfortable 'suite' on the third floor. If you don't like climbing stairs, there are some lovely rooms from which you can choose on lower floors.
The bed was very comfortable and it was great to be able to go down to the kitchen on the first floor to make drinks.
The welcome from both hosts was genuinely warm and they were happy to share their love knowledge of wine and suggest places to visit. The Villa is ideally located for touring the Bordeaux area and whilst there we enjoyed a visit to St Emilion, which is approximately an hour away. There's a market on Wednesday mornings just around the corner from the hotel and free parking on the street outside the hotel.
The bed was very comfortable and it was great to be able to go down to the kitchen on the first floor to make drinks.
The welcome from both hosts was genuinely warm and they were happy to share their love knowledge of wine and suggest places to visit. The Villa is ideally located for touring the Bordeaux area and whilst there we enjoyed a visit to St Emilion, which is approximately an hour away. There's a market on Wednesday mornings just around the corner from the hotel and free parking on the street outside the hotel.
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Date of stay: October 2014Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Value
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
If you want to stay in a modern, sleek and impersonal room, than this place is not for you. But if you want to stay in a lovely grand manor like house with hosts who will go to great lengths to make your stay as wonderful as possible, you have to stay here!
Blaye is a nice town, just north of Bordeaux and a great location to explore the region. And when you are looking for a nice comfy stay, Villa St Simon is THE place to be. We stayed in a twin room on the first floor and the room was a good size with great beds, we slept perfectly. Because we asked for this room, the bathroom is a bit on the small side, but for us sufficient, good shower and clean!
The villa also offers a large kitchen for all guests to use and a nice sitting room, where one can enjoy a sip of wine, which can be bought for reasonable prices at the villa.
All staff are very welcoming and helpful and one can even book a wine tour with a guide and transport, a tour I can only recommend.
In short: certainly worth a stay and to quote a ‘’famous’’ American (?) actor: ‘’ nous reviendrons’’.
Blaye is a nice town, just north of Bordeaux and a great location to explore the region. And when you are looking for a nice comfy stay, Villa St Simon is THE place to be. We stayed in a twin room on the first floor and the room was a good size with great beds, we slept perfectly. Because we asked for this room, the bathroom is a bit on the small side, but for us sufficient, good shower and clean!
The villa also offers a large kitchen for all guests to use and a nice sitting room, where one can enjoy a sip of wine, which can be bought for reasonable prices at the villa.
All staff are very welcoming and helpful and one can even book a wine tour with a guide and transport, a tour I can only recommend.
In short: certainly worth a stay and to quote a ‘’famous’’ American (?) actor: ‘’ nous reviendrons’’.
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Date of stay: September 2014Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Value
Cleanliness
Service
Room Tip: The rooms at the back are a bit quieter and north facing, so not to much sun in the room, which...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Can't say enough about our stay here. Les and Clarissa were the perfect hosts and very accommodating. We stayed in the Rouselle room which overlooked the park and the river through two sets of french doors to the balcony. Very nice room with a large bathroom and the guest kitchen right across the hall. They have an "honor bar" which we loved and took full advantage of. Being wine lovers we were blown away by their selections for it. They are well connected throughout the Boudreaux region which provided us with special opportunities. Their restaurant recommendations were top notch. Make sure you make reservations! Les and Clarissa also own a restaurant right across the back alley called Le Galerie Art & Wine. That is a must go! Amazing food, wine and atmosphere. You also must do a wine tour with Les. We did the Medoc tour. Well worth the money. Les is very cool to hang out with!! The town of Blaye is very quaint. Highly recommend!!
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Date of stay: September 2013Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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"All the rooms have a distinct personality, plus there are 'apartments' separate from the hotel."Read full review
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PRICE RANGE
RM 520 - RM 529 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
FranceNouvelle-AquitaineGirondeBlaye
NUMBER OF ROOMS
5
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Villa St. Simon
Which popular attractions are close to Villa St. Simon?
Nearby attractions include La Route de le Corniche (0.1 km), La Petite Cave (0.08 km), and Maison du Vin de Blaye (0.3 km).
What are some of the property amenities at Villa St. Simon?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free wifi, a lounge, and free parking.
What food & drink options are available at Villa St. Simon?
Guests can enjoy a lounge during their stay.
What are some restaurants close to Villa St. Simon?
Conveniently located restaurants include Le Gavroche, La Marina, and Tropidella.
Does Villa St. Simon have airport transportation?
Yes, Villa St. Simon offers airport transportation for guests. We recommend calling ahead to confirm details.
Is Villa St. Simon located near the city centre?
Yes, it is 0.4 km away from the centre of Blaye.
Are pets allowed at Villa St. Simon?
Yes, pets are typically allowed, but it's always best to call ahead to confirm.
Which languages are spoken by the staff at Villa St. Simon?
The staff speaks multiple languages, including English, French, and German.
Are there any historical sites close to Villa St. Simon?
Many travellers enjoy visiting Citadelle de Blaye (0.5 km) and Fort Medoc (5.4 km).