This place has some good and bad points but your stay will depend greatly on getting a room with a view overlooking the river and town. If you don't then your experience will be ordinary.

Loches is an interesting, historic town and a great location from which to explore the Loire. As we had 2 children in tow, some of the more charming and "authentically" French accommodation available in Loches would not have suited us. We thought this a safe bet but were disappointed on a number of levels.

After 12 hours of travel we reached the hotel and were informed that we had not paid and would have to pay again. We knew this not to be the case as payment had passed through our bank before we left but we had no way of proving this instantly. The confirmation we had from our agent was not sufficient for the hotel, apparently. The receptionist's English was not good and we found it difficult to explain our position. We were unable to contact our agent (the overseas number was barred) and after being held in suspicion all week it was sorted out the last day of our stay but without apology by the staff. On return the agents insisted they had emailed the hotel 2 days before our arrival saying that payment had been made. Notes, insisting on payment, were taped to our door during the stay but we were reluctant to double pay as getting a credit card refunds from a foreign country can be difficult. All a bit embarrassing and unnecessary really.

We thought we had booked a 2 bedroom apartment for the week but were shown to a ground floor apartment (opposite reception with no view or privacy) which had 2 rooms and it was tiny. We asked to be upgraded to a larger room, which they did without fuss, but it was reiterated by the receptionist that this was the room we booked. Fair enough, but it sure didn't look that small on the internet (do they ever) and was totally inappropriate for a family of four, for a week.

The new apartment was slightly bigger but had a lovely, large balcony overlooking Loches and eating our lunch/dinner/breakfast there was a highlight of our stay. So, get a balcony with a view.

Also, don't stay too long or the tiny beds (my husbands feet dangled over the edge) with their hot and hard foam mattresses will leave you with back ache and sleep deprived by the end of your stay. The summer must be unbearable. It was very clean but has no toaster, kettle (I know when in France) or oven but there seems to be enough glasses/crockery to run a small restaurant.

The heated pool was very good for the children and well maintained. It made the trip for them. An 8 year old can only stand so many chateau. There is a lovely park with a playground nearby too and the crepe restaurant was a hit with the kids too.

Good - view, balcony, pool, location, cleanliness, cheap.
Bad - Service/organisation, small rooms, hard beds and sofa, 8 euro to do a load of washing.