Champagne region hotel

InsideInsurance

Thinking of going for a long weekend to the Champagne region in May. Mainly just drive around looking at the scenery, stop off at a few smaller champagne houses, probably spend a day in Reims etc.

Struggling to decide where to stay though, in an ideal world it would probably be in Reims or very close by so that there are a few good restaurants to eat/ drink at and in a reasonable walk/ taxi ride back to base. Ideally it would be somewhere with some character and not just a generic chain hotel which most the central Reim's hotels seem to be. Not really concerned what the costs are as long as the service/ location etc are reflected.

Had looked at Les Crayères but just something doesnt appeal about the place. Some of the small champagne houses seem to be B&Bs but can be in the middle of no where which means driving in the evening so no drinking.

Any suggestions? Can look at being based in another town other than Reims but most guides seem to suggest to be there.

InsideInsurance

Really? No one has been to the Champagne region at all?

Will book blind then and report back

dollywops

http://www.aux-armes-de-champagne.fr/


Have stayed in this hotel on a number of occasions, but not for a number of years. Right next door to a wine warehouse.


Also, look in Epernay. There is one street with champagne houses on either side. One of them, can't remember which, takes you on a little train on the tour.


This is bringing back memories for me. We first visited the champagne region on our honeymoon, 30 years ago, this year. We did go back quite a few times, but have not been for probably 15 years. Might suggest to OH we go there for the weekend of our 30th.

benjus

We stayed here last year: http://www.leclosrigaux.com/english/studio_E.html

It was quite cute but not amazing and Dormans is a bit out of the way. Not sure I'd stay there again.

As dollywops said, go to Epernay. Personally I preferred it to Reims, but they are both worth visiting. The street is the appropriately-named Avenue de Champagne.

Taittinger (in Reims) does a very good tour, visiting their cellars which include the remains of an old abbey and ancient Roman chalk mines.

Not all of the major houses do tours though, and some require advance booking or have limited opening hours - worth checking before you travel.

There are literally thousands of small producers around the towns and villages - it's a lot of fun driving around them and picking up a few bottles.

InsideInsurance

benjus wrote: »

Taittinger (in Reims) does a very good tour, visiting their cellars which include the remains of an old abbey and ancient Roman chalk mines.

Not all of the major houses do tours though, and some require advance booking or have limited opening hours - worth checking before you travel.

There are literally thousands of small producers around the towns and villages - it's a lot of fun driving around them and picking up a few bottles.

We did look at Taittinger but will probably do Ruinart in Reims as its one of the Mrs' preferred brands and it also gets good reviews. Did discover the issue of many of the big houses being closed but have managed to also blag our way into Krug via an associate.

It is mainly to do the driving round the countryside, hopefully roof down, and just enjoying the scenery and calling into the small producers that is the big attraction. Will just have to negotiate amount of luggage brought -v- space for bottles left with the Mrs

Dawning

We do an annual buying trip to Champagne and Burgundy, have done so for the last several years.
We've yet to find a good hotel around Reims/Epernay, we've never liked one enough to return to it the following year, so I'm hesitant to make recommendations. I notice you mentioned that you'd considered Les Crayeres, we haven't stayed there, but only because our itinerary works that we're always in Reims on a Tuesday evening when their restaurant is closed.

I can say to avoid 'Royal Champagne' which is just outside Epernay, I can't remember the name of the commune, may be Campillon or something.

Last year we stayed at Le Chateau de Rilly.
http://www.lechateauderilly.com/
It's tucked away up in the Montagne de Reims but easy to find off the Reims to Epernay road.
The room was quite nice, but the food was awful, easily the worst meal I've eaten in France in the past 30 years. This year we may go back there for the room, but will definitely plan dinner elsewhere.
I haven't checked reviews recently, perhaps things have improved.

A good small grower that I'd recommend, close to Rilly, is Mailly. All their wines are Grand Cru, they do charge for tastings but of deduct the charge if you purchase. Their showroom is in a stunning setting too.
http://www.champagne-mailly.com/en/spirit-behind-estate

Oh edited to add, the first time we went, we did the Ruinart tour/tasting and found it very interesting and enjoyable.

andysdad_2

I also second the Taittinger tour. Did it two years ago, the french tour guide had a wicked sense of humour. Also did Pommery which is down the road, more choice of tastings after the tour but needed to book. Ruinart is also close by. In the north there was Mumm which was also a good tour. We didnt stay as we only made a day trip