Relais & Châteaux l'Assiette Champenoise

If you are lucky in life, then one time for a special occasion, you will able to push the boat out and take a trip to L’assiette Champenoise in Reims, Champagne. You take a left through the entrance of the hotel and drive your car around to the front of the Reception. From that moment on you are made to feel like a film star. Simply the greatest check in ever, you are asked to confirm your name, you then walk straight past reception, get given a short tour of the hotel, before being shown to your truly wonderful room. Waiting for you is in your room is couple of small sweets and half a bottle of Champagne. Perfect after a long drive. We chose the junior suite, the most comfortable bed I think I have ever slept in, lovely bathroom, everything works and everything is perfect, the only thing that could improve it would be a small sink near the toilet, but other than that it was faultless. 5 minutes later your luggage arrives and is all placed in your dressing room without you having to lift a finger. A trip up to Reims for the incredible light show, then the next morning we went for the hotel breakfast. Everything you could possibly wish for, fantastic coffee, lovely bread, excellent pastries, delightful cheese, exceptional cured meats, very fresh Jams. Then to finish off we had Eggs Benedict or should I say the best Eggs Benedict I have ever had. Could this get any better? Well yes it could, our chef arrived around every single persons table and asked us if everything was ok, it was better than ok and we shared our pleasure with him. In the evening as our 25th anniversary treat we had booked into Arnaud Lallement’s 3 Star Michelin Restaurant. Some incredible dishes were served, the tomato course was served with a side of Confit Tomato and has got to be one of the most incredible flavours I have ever put in my mouth. Then to top that the next course was caviar with foam potato and to top it off was paired with an exceptional glass of Krug Champagne. Then came the jaw dropping moment, as the fish course came round we was greeted at our table by non other than the man himself, Arnaud Lallement, he put the final touches to the dish, how many times in your life will you be shown this courtesy? this is what Michelin should never have moved away from, to hold and retain 3 stars you should be behind the stove (most of the time) and be leading your team, just magnificent. The meal was faultless from start to finish, the service was like a symphony. We spent 3 nights at the hotel and loved every minute of it. We simply couldn’t find any fault. I am sure others may, but for us this was a truly memorable experience, every member of staff were incredible and Arnaud Lallement was the icing on the cake. I just hope we can return again. Truly Wonderful, Thank You

Recent stay of three nights, one of which we ate in the hotel restaurant. First up, breakfast. Used to be buffet style apparently but now table service, except it should be termed sporadic service. Very poor. Balcony suite booked was just about adequate, as it should be for a touch under a thousand Euros a night. Finally, the restaurant. Is it forbidden for staff to smile once a place has 3 stars? Robotic automatons. Food wise, had to return one dish (not very brill Brill) Just mush. Severe disappointment, they really don’t seem to be as good as they think they are. Dinner the following evening at Le Foch in Reims much more enjoyable. And they smile…

Generally in a review I prefer to get the bad stuff out of the way first - on arrival on a Thursday afternoon after a 400 mile drive, the four of us checked into the hotel, dumped our bags and rushed down to their lovely terrace for a much anticipated glass of bubbles (well, we were in the Champagne region after all!). Unfortunately we had the snootiest, most unhelpful waiter we have just about ever come across, even in France. We didn't let it spoil our enjoyment and in fact his grumpiness made us chuckle, plus we were able to ignore him once the bubbles were poured! We only booked into the hotel for one night on our journey down to Beaune, mainly so that we didn't have to drive anywhere after our meal in their acclaimed 3* Michelin restaurant. Stunning and luxurious is the only way to describe the rooms: very spacious and stylishly decorated so that you actually wanted to stay in the rooms! However we had a table booked taking our newly married son and partner down memory lane: on a trip in 2019 they accidentally came across the restaurant and have eulogised about ever since, so this trip was a part of their wedding gift. They were very nervous because things could have vastly changed following COVID lockdown but worry was needless. The meal was sublime and worthy of every accolade in all respects: the 7 course menu that evening was surprising in that there was not a single item that any of the 4 of us didn't like - we oved it! After all this time the only dish we can't remember was the opener - Vine Shoot but every other course (Crab, Fennel, Brill, Squad Pigeon Pie, Cheeses, P. Richard's Srawberry) was truly memorable, perfectly cooked and beautifully presented. We all had an outstanding experience for what was a sidebar to our main goal - Olivier Lefflaive winery to stand on the hallowed grounds of Puligny Montrachet! It turned out that the Winery and L'Assiette Chamenoise were the outstanding experience of the trip - and only wish we had stayed with them for a second night. All other staff were supremely efficient, knowledgeable, and Friendly!