Opening the wooden shutters of my bedroom window to a world of lavender, rosemary, oak, cedar, palm and pine, with vineyards stretching off into distant rolling hills, was a rich refreshing start to my day. And that was only the beginning of a stay at the acre Chateau St. Pierre de Serjac in the French Languedoc. Impossible to eat in one sitting, I leave the heftier stuff for later while making quick work of the beverages and fruit.
Then, in an effort to harness the required appetite, I step into a comfy hotel dressing gown and slippers and head down the ornate spiral staircase and along the pebble-strewn path to the nearby spa and its sauna, Jacuzzi, hammam and heated swimming pool. I indulge in the abundant luxuries around me including an oval bath tub the middle of the bedroom, separate spacious walk-in shower, twin hand-basins, a big-screen TV and a coffee and tea-making corner.
I feel like a Royal. And no wonder. As an estate, Chateau St. Pierre de Serjac dates from the Medieval period before being taken over in the late 19 th century by Baron Cyprian de Crozals. Renovation took five years before the chateau was finally opened to guests in , with wine production re-starting just last year. Aside from the eight rooms in the chateau itself, there are also, right beside it, 36 two-to-four bedroom, self-catering houses with open-plan kitchens and private terraces or gardens, many with private plunge pools.
Pierre de Serjac meets most needs. The Cinq Mondes styled spa provides diverse treatments for both couples and individuals, including toning Indian Ayurvedic and soothing French-Polynesian varieties from skilful massage therapists Illike Billard and Laurine Bonnet.
Featuring hanging chandeliers, herringbone flooring, ambient table lamps and standing plants, the restaurant presents an elegant atmosphere, one highlighted by a central pyramid-style display of flickering candles inside numerous glasses. Trust me, it tasted as good as it sounds. An impressive start, and an indication of the attention to detail we experienced throughout the meal.
