Relais & Châteaux customers’ top 10 picks

Hotel and restaurant in town. Appearances are sometimes deceptive! The walls of this beautiful mansion hide a contemporary interior based on straight lines, trendy furnishings and design furniture. Founded nearly 40 years ago by their parents, the Assiette Champenoise is run today by Arnaud Lallement in the kitchen, his wife Magali in the dining room and his sister Mélanie, who are very keen to continue the family tradition of hospitality. Deeply rooted in the region, the property invites you to discover the best champagnes in the cosy bar or the highly acclaimed cuisine of the young Chef, who celebrates the quality of the products. Park, terrace and pool are a harmonious complement to this fine property. ... Learn moreless

Hotel and restaurant in a vineyard. Château de Bagnols, a fortress magnified by eight centuries of French art de vivre, overlooks the Beaujolais vineyards. It all started in 1217, and a monumental Gothic fireplace still bears the date. Today, the eponymous restaurant plays with purity and colour to honour the richness of the Monts du Lyonnais terroir. The château is a voyage into the past with its collection of luminous suites — richly decorated with frescoes and period tapestries and filled with the fragrances of the countryside — which open out to a landscaped garden. They are juxtaposed with the wine cellar that uses wood to create a contemporary design. ... Learn moreless

Restaurant and hotel in a park. Les Crayères is a mythical property in the heart of Reims, nestled discreetly in a seven hectare park full of lush vegetation. This former home of the de Polignac family permanently recreates and modernises the “chateau style” in an atmosphere which is one of elegant sophistication. Perfectly appointed rooms and suites await with a love of detail which is characteristic for pure classical French style. The warm welcome, impeccable service and the gourmet restaurant with its wine list featuring more than 600 champagne labels, make this the ideal place to start discovering all the treasures of this region. ... Learn moreless

Hotel and restaurant in a vineyard. In the Champagne region, on the slopes of the river Marne, the Hostellerie La Briqueterie is a paradise of well-being and good living. Épernay, the capital of Champagne wine, with its 110 km of cellars, including the most prestigious ones, to visit, is just a few minutes away. Here, every possible step has been taken to ensure complete relaxation between serene walks in the landscaped garden and its roses, tranquil baths, essential oil massages at the spa and gourmet meals that delight the palate whilst keeping the figure trim. Sample tartare of langoustines with citrus fruit aromas and don’t resist a glass of champagne. ... Learn moreless

Hotel and restaurant in a vineyard. On the banks of the river Bouzaize sits a beautiful white house with an elegant French-style garden and a majestic 17 acres park with century-old trees. This very charming property skilfully blends tradition and modernity, in the heart of the prestigious Côte de Beaune vineyards. In the gourmet restaurant the chef serves a traditional cuisine with a modern flair. The vegetable garden allows for simple, delicious dishes at the Bistrot du Bord de l’Eau in the ancient kitchen that dates back to 1750. Finally, the cellar boasts a selection of 1000 references from the most prestigious wines from Burgundy. ... Learn moreless

Hotel and restaurant in town. Only 50 metres from the Place du Marché, this fine 19th century building is the ideal starting point to explore on foot, by carriage or boat the historic, mythical and romantic town of Bruges, its museums and boutique. On returning to the Heritage, relax in one of the guest rooms with their unique, sophisticated décor or in the comfortable lounge bar, Le Magnum. To savour local cuisine, head for Le Mystique restaurant, with its charm that has remained intact since 1869, where you will be privy to the delights of a 14th century wine cellar. The vaulted fitness room has also been wonderfully preserved and dates from the 12th century. ... Learn moreless

Restaurant and hotel in a park. The Château de Beaulieu is an architectural gem with elegant facades and interiors in a romantic park, one hour from Le Touquet, between the Opal Coast and Belgium. The subtle balance of classic architecture and contemporary art makes this the perfect setting for what is one of the top restaurants in the region. The Chef pays tribute to Pas-de-Calais producers by using ingredients like Boulogne-sur-Mer scallops, Étaples bass and other fish from the North Sea. Meurin believes that “because of the currents in the nearby sea, the fish become strong and daring, which enhances the quality of their taste”. Savour his creations in two glass-roofed restaurants. ... Learn moreless

Restaurant and hotel in a park. Along the wine route, among approximately 3,000 chateaux that have led the region to be known as the ‘Land of Kings’, stands Les Hauts de Loire. A former hunting lodge built in 1860, this property is an idyllic refuge for couples, family or friends, less than three hours from Paris. Its elegant ivy-covered silhouette nestles in the heart of a remarkable 173-acre/70-hectare park, which invites exploration throughout the year. Relax at the spa while the children enjoy the kids’ club, or set off together to discover the riches of the Loire region–the chateaux of Blois and Chambord are located just a short distance away. Like refined cocoons, the rooms and suites of the Les Hauts de Loire charm with their exposed beams and half-timbered walls. And to satisfy the appetites of young and old alike, the chef of the gourmet restaurant combines simplicity with sophistication is dishes using local, seasonal produce. ... Learn moreless

Hotel and restaurant in the country. The Vineyard has been described as a temple to Californian wine. Just outside Newbury, an hour from London, it definitely deserves its reputation. The cellar holds wines from both the New and Old Worlds, as well as award-winning estate wines from owner Sir Peter Michael.The hotel is also celebrated for its dining experience, using local and sustainable seasonal produce to deliver a blend of old-world tastes and new-world approaches and techniques. As if the bar had not been set high enough, the traditional guest rooms, spacious contemporary suites, a spa and an enviable private art collection conspire to make The Vineyard the perfect retreat for gourmands and the culinary curious. ... Learn moreless