Chateau de la Chenevière

A truly elegant hotel with grandiose architecture and contemporary interiors that manage to maintain the old-world charm.

Joining Champagne’s already spoiling choice of luxury hotels and retreats is the impressive Royal Champagne Hotel & Spa. Teetering on a hill overlooking the vineyards from every corner, the hotel’s beautifully-appointed rooms and suites elegantly draw upon the verdant valley outside, embracing nature and offering every creature comfort. The hotel is a creation of famous architect Giovanni Pace who is known for his work at the iconic champagne house of Moët & Chandon. Between poolside sessions, you can hop to the spa for a vast range of treatments available from Biologique Recherche. To dine, there is the intimate Salon Fines Bulles. Start the evening with caviar and Champagne and enjoy a 4 course dinner served by your dedicated butler. And to drink, there is the Abysse Bar, a sophisticated venue that serves up delicious concoctions from 12pm to 11.30pm. And when you start feeling a little too isolated, head out to explore the surroundings – electric bikes are available to borrow or sign up for a hot air balloon experience above the vines.

In the renowned vineyards of Château Smith Haut Lafitte, around 17km (11 miles) outside of Bordeaux, Les Sources de Caudalie is a rural retreat celebrating the best of this Southwest France’s cultural and culinary heritage. There are 40 rooms and 21 suites split amongst the sprawling property, with most in six buildings that, while looking thoroughly historic, were specially built using huge reclaimed beams from abandoned local properties. Most have a terrace or a balcony with a beautiful view on the Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte’s vineyards or over the lake. There is also the Village des Pêcheurs – or Fishermen’s village – with 12 suites on stilts around a small lake inspire by the oyster-farms of the Arcachon Bay. Additionally, there is the unique Ile aux Oiseaux suite, a wooden pavilion standing out over the water on stilts, adventurously redecorated by a different designer every 3 or 4 years. The spa here comes from the inventors of ‘vinotherapy’, with treatments combining the anti-ageing properties of polyphenols contained in grape-seeds and the spa’s own natural hot-water spring in the most tranquil of settings. The senses will continue to be treated at either of the two restaurants here, whether with fine seasonal French dining and fittingly fabulous wine list at the twice Michelin starred La Grand’Vigne, bistro-style food at Table de Lavoir, or at either of the two wine bars. Activities from Les Sources de Caudalie include wine tasting, wine tasting lessons and cooking classes. Excursions to explore the surrounding sites, such as boat trip into Bordeaux or to rustic Saint-Émilion, can also be arranged.

Situated in Gargas in the Vaucluse, near Roussillon, atop a hill with superb views over the Luberon, Mont-Ventoux, and its own wine estate, La Coquillade is a charming hamlet resort that encapsulates the very best of Provence within its 100 acre bounds. 63 modern, airy rooms and suites are spread throughout the property in six residences, the oldest dating back to the 11th century. All have a private outdoor area, with some boasting their own Jacuzzi, heated outdoor pools or even a personal Hamman spa. There’s also an exquisite six-suited private villa located 10km (6 miles) away, ideal for families and groups of friends after total privacy, with a private chef and other services on request. Gastronomy is a primary focus here, with three delightful restaurants; La Gourmet, Le Bistrot et son Jardin, located in the vineyards, and Il Ristorante, at the poolside, serving Italian specialities. Pairing well with the cuisine, explore the Aureto vineyard and sample its full bodied vintages. Within the village, relax in and round one of the three large swimming pools or in the vast spa, play tennis or perhaps a game a pétanque. Discover the idyllic surrounding countryside on one of resort’s high quality Swiss BMC road or mountain bikes, or perhaps in a hired vintage sports car.