Lodging in St. Emilion is expensive, but we found a not too badly priced small hotel for our two-night stay in 2012. Maison de la Commanderie is ideally situated on a narrow street overlooking the central part of town. We were immediately taken with the area around the hotel including the vineyard across the road.

Parking was available in the free public lot next door.  Two potted plants and a steep step mark the entrance to this boutique hotel. Once inside we found that the lobby felt like a welcoming yet chic living room. The owner, Laurent, greeted us and immediately took charge of our bags, which was a good thing, as our room was located up two flights of a narrow and tall-stepped stairway.

On-line photos often don’t do justice to hotel rooms and this was definitely the case at the Maison de la Commanderie. Our room, Chambre des Ecuyers, was on two levels with a small sitting room and a large modern bath on the lower floor. The sleeping level was up a short flight of stairs to the loft. The décor was sexy, with touches of purple and lavender, light fixtures dripping crystals and an interesting mix of antique and ultra-sylish furnishings.

The bed was super-comfortable with luxury linens and ample lighting for reading. It was nice to have a spacious bathroom with an up-to-date standing shower and all the amenities one could want…shampoo, conditioner and fancy soap.

Breakfast was a delight, out of this world pastries baked by the owner served with jams and jellies lovingly prepared by his mother. We enjoyed sitting at the long table in front of the ancient limestone hearth. Laurent charmed us with his friendly and easy-going manner. He was very helpful with suggestions about restaurants and not to be missed sights in the town.

Free Wi-Fi with a good signal was available in our room and in the lobby.

All in all, a relaxing and restful place to stay and if we return to St. Emilion we would book here again.

Maison de la Commanderie, 3 bis rue Porte Brunet 33330 Saint Emilion, France.