Hostellerie Briqueterie & Spa, Épernay, France, Lodge Evaluation

With the current renovation of Hostellerie Briqueterie & Spa, there may be now much more cause to hop the prepare from Paris and go to Épernay (as if the slew of Champagne homes pouring elite bubbly wasn’t sufficient).

This former brick manufacturing unit turned luxurious lodge is the newest addition to the Beauvallon Assortment Group, whose first handle, Hostellerie Cèdre & Spa, is about amid the vines of Beaune, Burgundy. Founder Amaury Rostagnat goals to create intimate lodges that really feel like a trendy relative’s dwelling — good for these whose actual property portfolios do not embody French nation estates.

I arrived in Épernay by way of prepare with my husband and toddler. After a 15-minute drive from the prepare to Vinay-en-Champagne, my two-year-old was operating via the door of Hostellerie Briqueterie & Spa, feeling very a lot at dwelling. We adopted him via the salons outfitted with picket beams, modern couches, and vintage mirrors. I took observe of the hearth nook the place a canine lounged lazily.

Each one of many 40 rooms and suites overlooks the bucolic grounds, some with grassy terraces. Our elegant Privilege room was ethereal and spacious, even with a child cot. I felt the soulful curation of architect Marie Courdouan in each element, from the expressive art work lining the picket cabinets to the quilted headboard and hand-crafted nightstands. Greater than 60 furnishings purveyors and artisans performed a job in reviving this 50-year-old Relais & Châteaux property. Courdouan’s imaginative and prescient was to “renew and reinterpret, with out detracting from what already existed,” she informed me.

Following a goûter of contemporary fruit and cake, we spent the afternoon navigating the 10-acre property whose flourishing rose gardens drew us in with their intoxicating perfume. The pergola coated in Virginia creepers and wild roses grew to become our shade from the summer time solar, whereas the maze of shrubs provided a playful operating path. The meditative sound of water trickling from the backyard’s fountains offered the soundtrack – a welcome distinction to the excitement of the Parisian boulevards. This sense of pure delight adopted me to the spa whereas the boys strolled the huge stretches of inexperienced coated in olive timber, weeping willows, and purple maples.

The indoor heated pool caught my consideration even earlier than sinking into the therapeutic massage mattress at considered one of Maison Caulières Spa’s two therapy rooms. Following a fast dip within the Jacuzzi overlooking the lodge’s ivy-clad partitions, my thoughts and physique ritual started. Expert palms launched each tight muscle with the assistance of signature physique oil crafted by family-run Maison Caulières. Neighboring the youngsters’ membership, which I’d undoubtedly familiarize myself with, the fitness center’s picket rowing machine seemed attractive, however I used to be right here for the stillness.

Whereas the spa grew to become my refuge and the fitness center my husband’s, the youngsters’ membership fulfilled each possible dream of our two-year-old. Courdouan’s “colourful cocoon,” as she known as it, for youths of all ages included a foosball desk, play kitchen, stuffed toys, and sufficient crayons to fulfill any younger artist’s artistic visions.

We agreed that the restaurant — smooth in its redesign — exceeded our expectations. Whereas we indulged in plates of zucchini blossoms adopted by blue lobster and freshly caught fish, our budding gourmand loved meat and cheese platters procured by native suppliers. We skipped the inviting velvet lounge for a nightcap, desirous to get up and recommence our rural routine with loads of time to scent the roses.

This is my evaluate of the newly renovated Hostellerie Briqueterie & Spa, which welcomes company of all ages.

The Rooms

Starting from 66 to 239 sq. toes, the one likeness between the 40 distinctive rooms and suites is the give attention to French craftsmanship. Customized wooden furnishings and trendy brass fixtures in opposition to forest inexperienced and white partitions nod to modern sophistication. The cloud-like carpets, comfortable chairs, and panorama views additional hook up with nature. If the foliage fails to impress, swap on the TV or plan an impromptu dance social gathering, Marshall-speaker type. 

The minimalist loos with old-English taps and hand basins on chrome pedestals proudly provide sustainable toiletries by Maison Caulières. 

To really feel the earth between your toes, splurge on a Deluxe Terrace room stretching out into the gardens, or select the Champagne or Signature Suites to accommodate a big household.

Meals and Drink

French gastronomy led by a stellar native forged of producers defines the kitchen at Hostellerie Briqueterie & Spa’s restaurant, impeccably composed by Moroccan chef Nawal Rezagui. Some fragrant herbs are grown within the gardens missed by the defining bay window. The dinner choices – together with a five-course tasting menu – contain a seasonal collection of savory and candy choices from Wednesday to Sunday, with lunch served solely on Sundays. The smooth house, outfitted in darkish wooden, crisp white desk linens, and graphic curtains, converts right into a extra informal bistro for mid-week lunches and dinners on Mondays and Tuesdays. Reservations aren’t restricted to lodge company.

The breakfast scene is extra rustic, with tables coated in hand-crafted Moroccan zellige tiles and picket chairs. Set in a spacious sunlit room opening onto a terrace, the collection of pastries consists of the chef’s creations, with loads of yogurts, chilly cuts, and cheeses combined in.

There’s no lack of Champagne labels filling the bar, plus an enviable wine and cocktail menu.

Actions and Experiences

Nineteen miles away is Reims, the previous residence of French monarchs, additionally dwelling to Champagne homes Veuve Clicquot, Ruinart, and Taittinger. Solely 4 miles away is Épernay, which, with its famed Avenue de Champagne, affords loads of alternatives for tastings at main wine producers. No fewer than 68 miles of cellars compose these UNESCO World Heritage Champagne homes and cellars. It’s solely a matter of selecting which of them whet your urge for food.

The Spa

The bubbles at Hostellerie Briqueterie & Spa aren’t restricted to the Champagne. With an indoor Jacuzzi alongside the heated swimming pool, there’s loads of effervescence to go round. Following a steamy hammam session, the Maison Caulières spa — the primary to open in France — will blissfully reset each the thoughts and physique. One of many two therapy rooms caters to {couples} for a shared sensory journey. When not getting pampered on the spa, slink right into a chaise lounge within the backyard, or skip the spa for an adrenaline kick on the fitness center, the place a picket WaterRower and treadmill will hold you in prime kind.

Household-friendly Choices

The littles may take pleasure in Hostellerie Briqueterie & Spa simply as a lot as their elders as soon as they uncover the well-equipped youngsters’ membership. Board video games, arcade video games, and a foosball desk await keen gamers, whereas a snug sofa makes for a comfy studying perch. Drawing tables cater to younger artists, and a play kitchen will prepare dinner up a fantasy dish for each energetic toddler. Ought to dad and mom sneak off to the fitness center or the spa, babysitting companies can be found upon request.

All rooms and suites accommodate infants; the restaurant affords menus for kids ages 2 to 12.

Accessibility and Sustainability

Two of the rooms are accessible. On the sustainability entrance, Hostellerie Briqueterie & Spa’s Company Social Duty practices embody decreasing meals waste, utilizing eco-responsible cleansing merchandise, reducing plastic use, and putting in rainwater collectors to water the property.

Location

The simplest strategy to arrive from Paris is by way of prepare to Épernay, the place a lodge switch or taxi transports you 4 miles to Hostellerie Briqueterie & Spa. By automotive, the lodge is definitely accessible from the A4 (Paris-Metz) and A26 (Reims-Calais) freeways.

Entry to a automotive helps to discover neighboring villages and cease at smaller Champagne homes scattered all through the countryside.

Easy methods to Get the Most Worth Out of Your Keep

A number of completely priced packages, with themes together with gastronomy and wonder, can be found, both to make use of for a keep or to present a beloved one.