Booking direct is better for you… and for us

At Au Détour des Châteaux, we like things to be simple, sincere and human.

We love gourmet breakfasts, laughter over a cup of coffee, quiet chats in the garden or by the pool, the presence of Trekk our golden retriever who keeps a gentle watch over the place.



And we especially like to know who’s coming to visit.



That’s why today we’d like to tell you about a small, simple gesture that makes a lot of sense: booking directly, on our website or by phone, rather than going through Booking, Airbnb, Expedia or other platforms.
Wondering why this is so important? We’ll tell you all about it.

1. You pay less or get more

Since November 2024, bed and breakfasts, like all accommodation providers, finally have the right to offer cheaper rates on our website than on the big platforms. This was not possible before.

Today, if you book direct, you’re often a winner.

We can offer you :


• A better rate

• A small welcome gift

• An upgrade if the room is available

• More flexible arrival and departure times

• And above all… a truly personalized welcome.



In short, booking direct doesn’t cost more – on the contrary.

2. Your money goes entirely to your hosts

When you book via Booking.com or Airbnb, a large commission is deducted from what you pay – between 15% and 25%, sometimes more.

In other words, if you pay €100 for your night, we only get €75 or €80. The rest goes into the pockets of a foreign-based digital giant.



By booking directly with us, every euro goes into the life of the house. It helps maintain the rooms, prepare homemade jams, plant new rose bushes, modify a parking lot… in short, this gesture supports a lively, sincere, human-scale place.

3. You connect with real people

Here, you’re not talking to a call center or a robot. You talk to Laëtitia or Ludovic, depending on who picks up the phone. You can ask all your questions, tell us about your desires, ask for advice.

If you’re looking for a restaurant, we’ll give you our best addresses. Do you have allergies? We can adapt your breakfast. Looking for a nice walk? We’ll show you our favorite trail, the one where we sometimes come across deer.

This human connection begins even before you arrive. And it changes everything.

4. No hidden fees or nasty surprises

Platforms often add cleaning, service or processing fees. They display one price first, then another at the end.

With us, the price is clear from the start. No surprises, no forgotten taxes. And above all: no convoluted conditions, no obscure cancellation policies. Just common sense and transparency.

5. You support a place, a project, a story

Au Détour des Châteaux isn’t just a place to sleep. It’s a house that we’ve designed, renovated and opened to welcome travelers like you. It’s located in the heart of the Loir-et-Cher region, close to the Loire castles and Beauval Zoo. It’s also a beautiful wine-growing region.

When you book direct, you’re supporting a life project, a family welcome, a different way of entertaining. You’re taking part in something local, sincere and alive.

6. You may benefit from exclusive offers

On our website, or just give us a call, you can discover special offers that we never offer on other platforms: extended weekends, gift vouchers, romantic breaks, off-season discounts… or simply ideas tailored to your desires.



And then there are all those little details that you just can’t tick off on Booking: Laëtitia’s strawberry jam, strolls in the garden, a few lengths in our heated 20m swimming lane, the golden light on the ancient stones in the evening, Trekk’s company pretending to bring you his stick when he never lets go, or sincere advice on discovering the multitudes of things to do in our region steeped in history.

7. You avoid platform excesses

Platforms have become very powerful. They impose their conditions, their rankings, their rules of the game. Many hosts feel trapped: invisible if they don’t pay, drowned out by unfair reviews, pushed to always do more for less.

Booking direct is also a way of saying no to this logic. It means supporting free, human, chosen hospitality. A relationship based on trust, without intermediaries.

8. Become a committed traveler… without the hassle

You don’t have to be an activist to book directly. Just take a little detour: type in the name of the place you like, go to its website, send a message or call.

It’s simple, fast and often much smoother than an impersonal online booking.

And it’s so much more rewarding, on both sides.

In short: booking direct means…

• 💶 Cheaper for you
• 🤝 Fairer for us
• ❤️ More human in the exchange
• 🧭 Clearer conditions
• 🌱 More responsible in the choice

So, next time you’re planning a holiday…

… think about it. Make this small gesture. Type in the name of the guesthouse, check out the site, call. Maybe it’ll be us. Maybe somewhere else. (But it’s better with us 😉 )

But trust the people who host you, not the platforms.

And if you have any questions about Au Détour des Châteaux, if you’re unsure about a date, if you have a special request: write to us or give us a call. We’ll be happy to answer you, always with a smile.


See you soon in the heart of Loir-et-Cher…

Translated with Deepl.com – Photo by Tran Mau Tri Tam ✪ on Unsplash