This Chic Hotel in the Champagne Region Is the Best Resort in France—and Only 40 Minutes From Paris by Train

After driving up the long, windy road through France’s Montagne de Reims region and entering the lobby at Royal Champagne Hotel & Spa in Champillon, France—with its sweeping staircase to be greeted by the warm staff—I immediately felt at ease.

A former 19th-century coaching inn redesigned by Reims-based architect Giovanni Pace, the hotel embraces sleek modernism without losing the charm of an inviting country estate. It’s also T+L readers’ favorite resort in France, according to T+L’s 2024 World’s Best Awards. Though it is only 40 minutes from Paris by train, you feel whisked away to another world when you arrive in the village of Champillion (population: 500), where the hotel is located.

Champagne is certainly a focus—the glass Champagne cellar is just below the lobby—but it isn’t thrust on you. The hotel boasts many stunning chandelier installations and 15,000 square feet of terraces, providing breathtaking views of the Marne Valley and neighboring villages. The majority of the guest suites, bistro, spa, and infinity pools also offer the same views. Though I was there in the off-season (the high season is April through October), the quiet beginning of winter was almost more appealing than the busier summer, with the holiday decor making the property extra special. 

Below, read my full review of the exquisite Royal Champagne Hotel & Spa.

The Rooms

Even though my room was right off the lobby, I felt a sense of privacy and calmness with the muted colors and enticingly large and comfortable bed. European showers often leave me underwhelmed (and confused), but this one exceeded my expectations. The delightfully large bathtub that accompanied it was also quite charming.

The lovely use of Champagne-inspired colors in the rooms, including gold and rose, serves as a subtle reminder of where you are and is complemented by oak, limestone, and stone furniture and fixtures. The private balcony is the perfect place to enjoy a glass at the end of the day or a morning coffee.  Other in-room amenities include an espresso machine, Dyptique toiletries, and a fully stocked mini-bar with complimentary soft drinks.

All 47 guest rooms and suites are spacious—most measure 474 square feet—and feature a sitting area and either a terrace or a balcony. However, if you need more space, the 1,152-square-foot Joséphine Suite is an obvious choice, especially for a small family. Named for Joséphine Bonaparte, the first wife of Napoleon, who was known for her sophisticated sense of fashion and patronage of the arts, this first-floor suite has a king-size bed, a separate dressing room, and a living area perfect for lounging around.

Food and Drink

The hotel’s 36-seat restaurant, Le Royal, was awarded one Michelin star and is helmed by executive chef Christophe Raoux. Le Royal offers three different tasting menus as well as an à la carte option. The current “Signature Menu” includes seven courses, with an optional wine pairing available. Every course was a work of art, most adorned with edible flowers, almost too beautiful to eat. The cheese course in between desserts may be my new favorite palate cleanser.

The ambiance of the dining room only adds to the sophisticated cuisine. A statue of Napoleon Bonaparte is perched in the center, beneath a gold-leafed ceiling, with four large portraits of his two wives (Josephine Bonaparte and Marie Louisa of Austria), his mistress Countess Marie Walewska and his first love, Désirée Clary, displayed around the room. The bespoke porcelain tableware is by Limoges-based brand Maison Fragile.

For a slightly more casual meal, guests can stop by Le Bellevue, a chic brasserie offering more traditional French fare. A wall of bay windows provides a 180-degree view of Epernay and Marne Valley, which only gets better as night falls. The brasserie also has a special health-focused ‘Make it Balanced’ menu in collaboration with nutri-cosmetics expert Dr. Olivier Courtin-Clarins. If you are looking for more of a bar vibe (and a chance to make your entire dinner a charcuterie board), try The Abysse Bar & Terrace, which is right off of Le Bellevue.

Of course, it couldn’t be a top hotel in Champagne if it didn’t have a tasting room. The Salon Fines Bulles is located on the first floor with a direct view of the glass Champagne cellar in the center of the room, which can accommodate up to eight people for a tasting. Sommelier Philippe Marques is responsible for the 20,000-bottle cellar that has over 600 different Champagnes (my personal favorite was the Rare Champagne Rosé 2012).

The Spa

Royal Champagne’s spa is not only aesthetically flawless, but the quality of its services is exceptional. Comprised of nine treatment rooms, a hammam, a sauna, a gym, a yoga studio, and manicure and pedicure stations, this is a wellness sanctuary in every sense. The spa has a partnership with the French brand Biologique Recherche Skincare, but it also launched a myBlend facial, using supercharged serum products from the Clarins Group, which left me the most relaxed I had been in months.

But all the facials in the world can’t beat the two infinity pools—one indoor and one outdoor. Both are temperature-controlled, surrounded by chaises and day beds for the perfect nap, and behold that impeccable view of the vineyards.

Accessibility and Sustainability

The hotel was redesigned in 2018 with sustainability as a significant priority. It features full insulation, automated air supply systems, and double-glazed windows with high UV reflectivity to reduce energy consumption and minimize sun impact. The outdoor pool also uses a UV treatment system to reduce chlorine intake and maintain ph balance. Waste management is a focus with regular composting and staff awareness training for environmentally sound water and waste practices. 

Activities and Experiences

In addition to the two family-friendly pools, hotel guests can rent bikes or opt for a hot air balloon ride for a bird’s eye view of the Montagne de Reims region. Open-air buggy car tours and horseback riding are also available. The hotel’s guest experience team can help arrange anything from visits to Champagne houses, some of which aren’t open to the public, to sommelier tastings in the Salon Fines Bulles.

The city of Reims is a short 15-mile drive away, where you can visit the stunning Reims Cathedral. Originally built in 1211, it rivals the beauty of Notre Dame de Paris but won’t have the overwhelming crowds.  And, of course, you can book Champagne tastings at iconic houses, including Moët & Chandon and Veuve Cliquot, or tour the caves of Taittinger, Ruinart, and Pommery, all located in Reims.

If you find yourself at Royal Champagne Hotel & Spa in December, January, or around Easter, the hotel hosts weekend afternoon tea featuring pastries by the hotel’s dessert chef Claire Santos Lopes.

Location

Royal Champagne Hotel & Spa overlooks the village of Champillon in Champagne, a UNESCO World Heritage region northeast of Paris. A 40-minute train ride takes you from the French capital to Epernay, where you can take a 15-minute car ride to the hotel. Alternatively, it will take about two hours to drive from Paris to the property. There are plenty of Champagne houses, tours, and cute shops and restaurants just a 30-minute drive in Reims for a day excursion from the hotel. 

How To Get the Most Value Out of Your Stay

Royal Champagne Hotel & Spa is an American Express Fine Hotels and Resorts partner, which meansAmerican Express Platinum cardholders can get benefits at the hotel (complimentary breakfast for two; late checkout) if they book through Amex Travel.

Nightly rates at Royal Champagne Hotel & Spa start from $907 for a garden junior suite.