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Hotels of the month
Royal Champagne, a world-class hotel in the heart of the Champagne vineyards
The Royal Champagne never ceases to impress. This world-class 5-star hotel, just 1.5 hours from Paris, boasts not only splendid rooms and fine dining, but also a spectacular spa with breathtaking views over the Champagne vineyards.
Since the mid-1970s, Royal Champagne has been one of Champagne’s most prestigious addresses.
The pitch: the rebirth of a prestigious Champagne address, the Royal Champagne
It was one of the most ambitious hotel projects of 2018 in France, just before the Covid crisis. Under the leadership of two Francophile Americans, Denise Dupré (dean of Harvard University, where she heads the hospitality chair) and her husband Mark Nunnelly, founders of the Champagne Hospitality group (also owner of Le Barthélémy hotel in Saint-Barth and Leclerc-Briant champagnes), the Royal Champagne offered itself a renaissance.
A former coaching inn where the kings of France stopped en route to their coronation in Reims - and where Napoleon is also said to have stopped - the Royal Champagne has been one of Champagne's most prestigious hotels since the mid-1970s. It reopened its doors for the summer of 2018, more beautiful than ever. The original building has indeed been renovated, but the real show is behind the walls: a new, contemporary amphitheatre-like wing. Designed by Rémois architect Giovanni Pace, the building opens onto vast stretches of listed vineyards and the Marne valley, with Epernay just a stone's throw away.
First impressions
From Reims TGV station (a 50-minute direct train ride from Paris-Est), it's an easy 20-minute cab ride. The luxury hotel is located in the village of Champillon, overlooking the Marne valley and the UNESCO-listed Champagne hillsides. Just a stone's throw from Hautvillers and its abbey, where you can visit the tomb of Dom Pérignon, the panorama offered by the hotel is as unique as it is idyllic.
What's the hotel like?
The first thing that strikes you is the feeling of space that emanates from the hotel. Lobby, lounges, library, restaurants, terraces - the Royal Champagne stands out for its dimensions, unprecedented for the region. Architect Giovanni Pace, already at work for champagne houses such as Moët & Chandon and Janisson, explains "Working on a large scale is one of the tools we use to move people; it allows us to create surprising places that should leave a lasting impression". This gigantism enables the hotel to offer world-class facilities, including:
- A sumptuous spa that clearly ranks among the finest hotel spas near Paris (1,500m2, 9 treatment rooms including 2 suites for couples, 25-metre indoor pool with panoramic view, Jacuzzi, not to mention a second outdoor pool overlooking the vineyards, infinity pool style, 16 metres long) where personalized treatments are lavished. Special mention must be made of the extreme quality of the treatments and massages provided: the hotel has sourced the best practitioners in the region, and this is a far cry from the approximate massages performed by seasonal workers...
- A vast bistro with bar, Le Bellevue, boasts a spectacular terrace extending out onto the vegetable garden. It's the place to be to sip a glass of champagne before dining, particularly appreciated in fine weather. The hotel's talented pastry chef, Claire Santos Lopes, also offers interesting teatime menus.
- A gourmet restaurant, Le Royal a Michelin-starred gourmet restaurant, where the Chef Christophe Raoux, MOF 2015, offers sensitive, precise cuisine paired with an exceptional selection of Champagne wines. An evening at Le Royal is the perfect opportunity to discover superb Champagnes from lesser-known winemakers, advised by a team of expert and passionate sommeliers.
- An oversized lobby, open on one side to a library, on the other to the Fines Bulles lounge dedicated to champagne tasting, with its glass cellar.
"Large-scale work is one of the tools we use to move people," explains Reims-based architect Giovanni Pace.
And the rooms?
As spacious (from 44m2) as they are luxurious, the 47 rooms (including the 107m2 Josephine Suite ) at the Royal Champagne all have a terrace or balcony. And all, without exception, offer views over the Marne Valley from behind immaculate picture windows.
First-rate materials (light oak, stone), absolute comfort (fabulous bedding; sofa; bathroom with bath and shower cubicle; dressing rooms that look like travel trunks), technology (home automation, ultra-fast Wi-Fi network, USB sockets next to the bed) and elegance are the hallmarks of these bright and soothing rooms.
Where is it?
The Royal Champagne is located 25 minutes from the Reims TGV station and just a few minutes by car from Épernay, the capital of Champagne, which can be reached in 1h20 from the Paris-Est train station. For international travelers, the hotel is 1h30 from Paris CDG airport.
From the hotel, guests can take a ride on the electric bicycles provided free of charge. A must if you want to explore the hillside vineyards without getting exhausted!
The room to book?
With the exception of the Josephine Suite and Panoramic corner rooms, all rooms (Champagne and Royal categories) are identical (44m2 interior space and 6m2 balcony/terrace). For an unobstructed view of the Marne valley, opt for a Royal, located on the second floor.
Who's it for?
Champagne lovers will be the first to flock! But the Royal Champagne's offer is so complete (gastronomy, well-being, comfortable rooms, impeccable service...) that the hotel is aimed at all epicureans in search of a weekend close to Paris.
How much does it cost?
From €830 per night.
Things to remember
With its oversized spaces, one of France's finest luxury spas, gourmet cuisine with 2-star potential and splendid rooms, the Royal Champagne is easily the region's benchmark hotel. Note that the owners are currently finalizing the renovation of the Château de la Commaraine, a 5-star hotel in Burgundy designed in the same way, so we can't wait to get there!
5 things we loved about Royal Champagne
- The feeling of space: a boutique hotel with XXL dimensions facing the horizon, that's not so common in France.
- The spa, one of the finest in France. Two pools, including an indoor pool with a panoramic view, top-level treatments, a Jacuzzi... it's hard to imagine a more complete experience.
- Le Royal gourmet restaurant and its exceptional Champagne wine and food pairing experience
- The vast terrace of the bistro Le Bellevue, perfect for sipping a drink before dining.
- The service, as professional as it is friendly, provided by a young, highly motivated team.
Practical