Domaine de la Commanderie de Ballan

One of my favorite places ever stayed. The Domaine de la Commanderie de Ballan provided the perfect serene escape while being surrounded by nature. Our room was stunning with a spacious patio offering an incredible view under the stars and trees. The setting is magical, and the service was warm and welcoming. I can’t wait to return.

Incredible location, but some issues with the room, especially considering the cost . Rectified in part by free breakfast for two days ( but then failed to produce the second breakfast, which undid the gesture somewhat ! ). Location and main house certainty 5*, as are Pool and amenities, but other rooms not at level excepted for a 4* residence. Overall a decent enough experience, and will visit again as believe worth a second visit regardless of small issues

No Staff, No Sleep, No Service We stayed at Domaine de la Commanderie de Ballan with high expectations, drawn in by the property’s undeniable charm and the clear investment in its renovations. Unfortunately, our experience was deeply disappointing, largely due to poor management and a complete lack of basic guest support. From the very first night, things went wrong. One side of our bed collapsed repeatedly due to broken slats, making sleep impossible. With no staff on-site after 8:00 p.m., there was no one to assist us. We reported the issue the next morning, but the response was slow and ultimately ineffective. It became clear that a single staff member was responsible for reception, food service, and poolside support, an unrealistic situation that led to widespread disorganisation. We were offered alternative accommodation for one night, but it was impractical, as it would have meant moving all our belongings and separating from our daughter. The bed was never repaired, so we spent three nights with little rest. To make matters worse, we discovered a nest of flying ants right by our heads. With no one available to help, we had to deal with it ourselves in the middle of the night. The ants returned every evening, and no action was taken. We pre-ordered breakfast using the in-room app, nothing arrived. No explanation, no apology, no follow-up. During a period of intense heat, the pool was the natural place to relax, but there were only two broken parasols for all guests, offering virtually no shade. They remained broken for all four days of our stay, with no effort to replace or repair them. After reading other reviews, we realized these weren’t isolated incidents. Guests frequently mention poor communication, broken amenities, unresponsive service, and insufficient staffing. This seems to be a pattern, not a one-off. Since returning home, we’ve reached out to management three times, including a formal letter, without receiving a single response. That silence sums up the experience. The setting is beautiful, and the potential is clear, but unless the management addresses these serious, systemic issues, we would strongly advise looking elsewhere. A scenic location can’t make up for the absence of hospitality basics.