Chateau de Marcay | Best places to stay in the Loire Valley

"Sitting in gardens at the end of a long avenue, south of Chinon, Marcay provides a perfect combination of countryside calm and authentic chateau splendour, with crenellated towers and ancient stone walls straight out of a fairytale. The 33 rooms are split between the 15th-century chateau itself and an attractive converted pavilion. The hotel is a true gourmet stop, with a great restaurant, kitchen garden and truffle plantation, alongside its own vineyard. They organise tours of their wine cellars and wine tastings every evening, and can also help organise visits to other nearby vineyards. " - Anna Brooke