My wife and I are staying in Sarlat and were looking (mostly in vain!) for someplace to have a…read morecocktail. The Hotel de la Madeleine sits on the edge of Sarlat's charming medieval sector. It overlooks the towns memorial gardens marking the World Wars. The hotel boasts 5 stars, and if the hotel is as accomplished as the bar/restaurant, I'm sure they deserve each star! The comfortable bar is a 19th century charmer. Comfortable inside and out. We sat on the terrace and enjoyed well crafted cocktails and a wonderful charcuterie/cheese board our first evening. Inclement weather led us to sit inside the next night. Service was top rate. The food was delicious. Our cocktails well made and tasty.

Great location, right in the middle of old Sarlat. Very nice room and bath. And a surprising pool…read moreand hot tub in a very private courtyard ! Very welcome after a day of walking. Pleasant bar off lobby. Highly recommended.

We were staying at a hotel in the next village and everything there was closed up or booked for the…read morenight. We started to head to Sarlat but saw this place on the way and decided to give it a try. It was a very hot day and they had an air-conditioned dining room so extra points from me. The staff were helpful and our food was fresh and delicious. One of the best meals I've had this trip.

Beautiful hotel at the base of the castle. Great location with charm. The service was horrible,…read morethey didn't have one of our reservations, even when we showed them the 2 reservation numbers. The heater in the rooms don't work and no one would come fix them. We were told "if we use the heater they won't have hot water to cook with". This place was recommended in Rick Steve's book but it leaves a lot to be desired. Pay a little more and get basic comforts.

LES CEDRES Rue Marc Delbreil…read moreSarlat If you are thinking of exploring the Dordogne, land of wine, ducks, geese, caves, walnuts, chateaus and rivers, then you need a place like Les Cedres. We spent a month there this summer and it was brilliant. The situation is perfect. Sarlat is the centre of many of the area's attractions. It is an engaging town itself and the accommodation is just 15 minutes walk from the mediaeval centre. And that 15 minutes is accurate, believe me. Beside, the apartment is very close to the main roads to places like Bergerac and Cahors and three supermarkets are within a couple of minutes drive. There is a bigger villa in the grounds but we stayed in the one bedroom apartment which is attached to the owners' house. Milos and his Waterford wife Rosemary, along with son George, are great and friendly hosts, very helpful with all kinds of hints as regard where to go and where to eat. They even supply charcoal for the barbecue. The gardens are lovely and from time to time you will see deer wander through and squirrels dart from tree to tree. There is also a smashing pool away in its own corner, a veritable sun trap, and a very welcome retreat after a few hours driving in the hot sun. Beside, you have your own barbecue area under the trees but still warmed by the evening sun.