VIVE LA DIFFERENCE…read more Long live the difference. Let me explain. I will describe what I believe to be the minimum requirements of a holiday let, and then point out "the difference" which makes this an exceptional find. Its really nice to come across something that exceeds expectations. 1) Arrival and greeting A friendly welcome is always going to start the holiday off well. The difference - this one was heartfelt and warm. How do I know; easy, you can see it in the words and gestures used by the hosts. 2) Great accommodation All amenities as described to be available. The difference - the little touches. A magnificent floral display in the lounge area, with the cut flowers coming from the hosts own garden, and arranged in a very professional manner. The basics in terms of kitchen items to be available. The difference - some chocolate, biscuits, and a beautifully dressed dining table. Kitchen items not normally provided, were readily available e.g. salt, pepper, kitchen roll, washing up liquid, cooking foil etc. A comfortable bed. The difference - new mattress, beautifully dressed bed / bedding, plenty of pillows / cases etc. 3) Information on surrounding area. It's always nice if there are a few leaflets available describing the surrounding area and places to visit. The difference - up to date local news on places to go, and things to see. There is a local ferry service, now retired due to the new bridge nearby, that is run one day per year, and a local festival in the nearby town of Caudebec-en-caux, something we would never have been aware of without the kind sharing of this information. A mid-week market (again not mentioned in any leaflet) was also shared with us. The knowledge of both Armelle and Michel about the surrounding area is extensive and openly and willing shared. If you want to know anything, they will be only too happy to help. 4) Privacy You really don't want to be bothered with the hosts during your holiday. The difference - despite being in the hosts grounds, the gite was treated with the utmost respect for our privacy. The hosts will only approach you if necessary or invited to do so. 5) Sharing You don't normally have any dealings with the hosts, once they have the payment settled. The difference - a warm welcome to visit a truly outstanding garden that is tended with great care, tenderness and may I say, "professional feel" (we visited in late September / early October and the garden was still in a great condition - it would give Monet a run for his money). 6) Additional services The difference - these were not asked for, nor advertised, but very welcomed in deed. To what to I elude you may ask? Well I will not say as I am not happy to mislead you into expecting something that may not be possible to be provided during your stay, nor am I happy to set Armelle and Michel any goals that they must achieve for your stay. I will however wage a bet that you will find something "out of the blue", during your stay that will be very special to you. May I strongly suggest that you take me up on my recommendation to stay at the Relais Du Roy and let me know via your feedback, that I was true with my recommendation for this. Please pass our warmest best wishes to Armelle and Michel when you visit. Dave

From the owner: Le Relais du Roy est un gîte pour 2 à 4 personnes situé dans une magnifique propriété normande de…read moreprès d'un hectare, boisée et fleurie. Ce gîte est idéal pour les couples d'amoureux ou de jeunes mariés, ainsi que pour les familles souhaitant profiter de la richesse du patrimoine culturel et naturel de la Normandie. Idéalement situé entre Rouen, Le Havre, Deauville et Etretat, il permet de visiter de nombreux sites exceptionnels à proximité ainsi que de découvrir des petits villages typiquement normands. Confort et qualité d'accueil sont les maîtres mots du Relais du Roy.

We had a wonderful stay here in July 2014. We loved the space and enjoyed the best breakfast of our…read moreentire trip. The owner was friendly and accommodating, and gave us good tips for restaurants. Make sure to check out the farmer's market; it was another highlight of the our stay. Hope to make it back for another trip soon!

If you're in Normandy, you have to stop (or stay a couple of nights) in Honfleur, a beautiful…read morelittle town on the coast near Le Havre (about an hour drive from the Normandy beaches of D-Day). It's as quaint as it gets. A little marina and tight streets with wonderful shopping. (Just look it up on Google images.) And if you're staying the night, I highly recommend La Petite Folie, a b&b near the center of town that's a wonderful place to stay. Run by an American woman and her French husband, it's as charming as they come. Our room was large (by what we were used to) and it overlooked a quaint back yard where we had fresh (and amazing) croissants each morning (backed on site). The woman who ran it was incredibly helpful. She suggested two off-the-beaten-path restaurants (including one just a few doors down) where we had amazing food and great wine (including one where the lone proprietor did everything - took our order, ran upstairs and did the cooking, brought the food, cleaned up and took our bill). It was a wonderful experience at a very reasonable price. It was my wife's and my favorite hotel during our two-week tour of France.