Hotel Snapshot
Nestled on a hillside in Champillon overlooking the Marne Valley, you will find the exquisite Royal Champagne Hotel + Spa. Housed in a former 19th-century carriage house, it perfectly blends old-world charm with modern chic architecture and amenities (and there are oh so many amenities). And though you feel like you have been transported back in time in some ways in the small countryside town of Champillon, you are only a 40-minute train ride from Paris and less than two hours from major airports. And though the hotel is known for its wellness offerings (more about that in a bit), don’t forget that you are in the epicenter of champagne. It is impossible to have a bad time.
Design & Character
With its 19th-century coaching inn roots—this was often a stopover for Napoleon, which is why he and the many women in his life are heavily featured in one of the restaurants on the property—meticulously blended in with a modern appraisal. A sleek stone and glass wing curves around the original building that attaches to the original building. As you walk up the new sleek entranceway and into the hotel, you are greeted by a stunning chandelier and cascading staircase perfect for making an entrance in a stunning ensemble, and naturally,y you are treated with a glass of champagne, of course.) To never let you forget you are in Champagne, the color themes of the region's drink are intricately woven in throughout—amber, rose, absinthe yellow, muted light brown— the hotel and the chandeliers also invoke a bubbly sense. Coachman and vine-leaf motifs also appear throughout the lobby and in the rooms. But perhaps the most stunning part is the epic floor-to-ceiling windows on the second floor and in every guest room, allowing you to just thrive in the peaceful beauty.
The Rooms
The tranquil vibes continue with the muted Champagne tones in the grand rooms, each of which comes with its own sitting area and balcony overlooking the pastoral Marne Valley and neighboring villages. The balcony is perfect for greeting the day with your morning espresso or having one glass of champagne before bed. The modern bathrooms follow in the grand sentiment, and in addition to a beautiful shower, there is a bountifully large bathtub. Plus the Diptyque products in the bathroom are a very nice touch.
The Food + Drink Situation
Oh, where to even begin with the food. Though nothing should ever be quick when you are in Champagne, if you are looking for a more casual bite—cheese boards, french fries, and other traditional French fare—stop by the bar upstairs at Le Bistro for a drink or le cafe or get a table overlooking the palatial terrace which is covered in Christmas trees during the holidays and just relax.
If you want a showstopper of a meal, then head to Le Royal, just to the right of Le Bistro, a one-Michelin-star 36-seat restaurant with executive chef Christophe Raoux at its helm. In addition to the exquisite "Signature Menu," which includes seven courses (with optional wine pairings). Each dish is a true masterpiece, highlighting the natural flavors of the region. When you aren’t celebrating the food, you will be drawn to the circular room’s incredible art which features a statue of Napoleon in the center (not too large, of course) and then four large portraits of each of the main women in the famous general’s life, including his two wives as well as his two mistresses.
There is also a tasting room featuring a glass Champagne cellar that has over 600 bottles of Champagne. Room service from Le Bistro is also available in the suites as well as at the pool.
The Amenities
The entire hotel is an architectural gem, and the two family-friendly infinity pools are no exception. During the summer months, the outdoor pool offers a moment of zen on a hot day, while in the winter, the indoor waterfall pool is breathtaking, especially as you look out at snowy, serene views outside from the warm hot tub. It is the perfect place to lie on a chaise and take a day nap.
Guests also have exclusive access to private Champagne houses, including tasting and harvesting sessions with local Champagne producers, personally curated by the in-house Guest Experience Maker Team.
Spa & Wellness Scoop
Now we come to the real differentiator with this hotel: the spa, the first and only wellness retreat in the region. Opulent is the only way to describe the 16,000-square-foot overlooking the vineyards. The nine treatment rooms, which include a sauna, a state-of-the-art gym, and a yoga studio, have just launched a hair spa cabin this summer in collaboration with the luxury French hair care company, Flora Lap Paris. The hair spa features Flora’s signature treatments and bespoke services exclusive to the property. Each treatment is designed to cleanse, regenerate, and nourish the scalp.
The hotel has also recently taken its fitness offerings to the next level, offering complimentary, tailor-made personal training sessions every Saturday at the on-site gym. Additionally, guests can now book a personalized yoga session, take a spin class on one of the new indoor cycling bikes, or partake in a guided nature walk in the vineyards surrounding the hotel.
Location & Neighborhood Recs
In addition to the many champagne houses, you can book tastings and tours at Moët & Chandon and Veuve Cliquot, you can go see the tomb of, arguably, the father of champagne, the Benedictine monk Dom Pérignon, at The Abbaye Saint-Pierre d'Hautvillers, just a walk from the hotel, or grab one of the bikes.
If you have rented a car, another good way to explore is The Champagne Trail. It covers over 250 scenic miles that will take you to many quaint and historic champagne villages and tasting rooms along the way.
You can also tour the caves of Taittinger, Ruinart, and Pommery, all located in Reims. If you find yourself visiting during the holidays, Reims is home to the third-largest holiday market in France.
And you must see the beautiful Reims Cathedral. Built in 1211, it is similar in aesthetics to Notre Dame; you will only have to deal with a quarter of the crowds.
In addition to just being a short train ride away from Paris, and a two-hour drive from Paris-Orly.
This writer suggests taking La Compagnie airline if you can, the oldest French all-business class airline. The service and food are impeccable, and as someone who hates flying, I have been looking for every excuse to take this airline again.
Fast Facts
Location: Champillon, France
Vibe: Champagne chic
Rating: Five-star
Room count: 47
Pricing: From $907 for a garden junior suite.
Our favorite thing about the hotel: The spa and pools, and that the hotel overall feels like a welcome spot for locals. Plus, Chef Claire Santos Lopes’s incredible pastries which are exquisite works of art.
Dining: Le Royal, Le Bellevue
Amenities: Indoor and outdoor pools, a champagne tasting room, two restaurants, a spa, a yoga studio, a fitness center, and access to bikes
Nearby Attractions: Reims Cathedral, several champagne houses, The Abbaye Saint-Pierre d'Hautvillers, Reims Christmas Market
Airport: Two-hour drive from Paris-Orly Airport (ORY) and a little over an hour and a half from Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)
