The Pleasures of a Hotel Barge Cruise

Be Our Guest

Whilst on board you will enjoy an unparalleled level of personal service, with our attentive and amiable crew. Our aim is to make you feel welcome, relaxed and taken-care of throughout your cruise. Your crew will take care of everything, from cleaning your room, to delivering drinks at the hot tub. From assisting you off the boat for a canal side cycle ride, to guiding you amongst the delights of the local and unique attractions of your hotel barge holiday.

With a general ratio of one crew member per two guests, the level of service is of a particular high and attentive level. You will enjoy time with the Captain, even possibly taking time to help steer the barge. Your host(s) will take care of all your inside needs throughout the day and into the night. And of course, we must never forget the Chef. He or she will make certain you dine like Kings and Queens, with the best local produce and a true taste of France.

‘House Party’ Atmosphere

Imagine chartering a whole hotel barge for that long-awaited get-together with friends that you will all be reminiscing about at gatherings for years to come. Or maybe a hotel barge would be the perfect solution for a cruising holiday that can accommodate the whole family, enabling grandparents to spend valuable time with the little ones in some of the most stunning settings that Europe has to offer.

The atmosphere onboard your barge gives you the serenity of time together, as well as the opportunity to catch up and enjoy activities for all ages. As everything is taken care of for you, it’s simply a matter of giving over your time to your loved ones or friends. The perfect getaway.

Floating Boutique Hotel

Unlike much larger river cruisers with many passengers, a hotel barge is an intimate vessel with the ambiance of a small boutique hotel. On such a small vessel, you will be able to build friendships with the crew. The onboard chef will introduce his or her culinary creations to you at your table. The tour guide will get to know your interests and take you to some fascinating ‘off the beaten track’ places you will love.

Each of our barges is uniquely individual, with complementary furnishings and artwork. In fact, all of our artworks are chosen specifically for each barges history and the area it cruises in. Each is designed offering contemporary and traditional luxury, with comfort and elegance in mind. All the modern comforts are provided amongst antique furniture and crafted décor.

Gentle Cruising

Another advantage of a hotel barge holiday is that it offers the opportunity to cruise on smaller waterways and canals that large vessels just cannot get to. Generally, a hotel barge will travel less than 70 miles a week at just 3 miles per hour. You will always moor up for the evening and as a consequence you will be lulled to sleep by the gentle rocking of the boat rather than being kept awake by noisy engines.

The gentle pace of a hotel barge holiday enables passengers to truly appreciate their surroundings as they drift along delightful waterways, feeling fully immersed in the local history and culture. A chance to read, sunbathe, enjoy good conversation or simply watch the world drift by.

Be Energetic, or Relaxed

If some energy needs expending, there are alternatives. Stepping off the barge at a lock engenders a chance to walk or bicycle, at whatever speed you desire, knowing that the barge is travelling at a sedate pace not far behind or ahead of you. There are also horse riding opportunities, hot air balloon rides, golf and even games of tennis on offer.

If you wish to get away from it all, then a well-stocked library or an abundance of onboard games are available across all hotel barges. Or how about a game of pétanque with the Captain? Then maybe end your day sitting in the hot tub with a glass of Champagne under the stars.

Unique Experiences

The fact that the canals have a towpath alongside, sometimes even on both sides, is a real unique advantage to canal cruises. It means you can set off to explore by bicycle or by foot at almost any time. In addition, excursions are frequently made in small groups to places off the beaten track which may have passed unnoticed if you were travelling on your own.

A hotel barge holiday offers its guests the chance to take in breathtaking views from the distinctive viewpoint of the water. There are many cruises that provide you the chance to witness some quite amazing engineering achievements. The Arzviller Boat Elevator in Alsace, Gustave Eiffel’s Aqueduct across the River Loire on the Canal de Briare ,and the Malpas Tunnel on the Canal du Midi are just a few examples of unforgettable canal cruising experiences.

Go Local

Hotel barging holidays offer immersion into the local culture and history. Our goal is to provide our visitors with real and engaging experiences. These excursions to “get under the skin” of the history and culture of the area are often spontaneous and not always included in our planned itineraries, depending on the interest and occasion of the guests.

Thanks to our many years cruising some of the most spectacular waterways across Europe, we’ve developed numerous close friendships with the local businesses, vineyard owners, and castle owners along our routes. You may have the opportunity to dine with a Countess, shop in local food markets or even have a cooking lesson with your onboard chef.

One of a Kind

Additionally, because of the personalised nature of our service, we work hard to provide you with one-of-a-kind and unforgettable experiences that aren’t achievable with a larger cruise line.

The majority of our guests are well-educated, experienced tourists who have already visited all of the major attractions in the country through which we cruise. They now want to walk “the path less travelled” and discover hidden gems where they can meet hosts whose only visitors are us.

If the journey is just as important to you as the destination, then why not try a hotel barge holiday?