Airelles Château de Versailles, le Grand Contrôle

First a shout out to our butler Charles for making my family’s experience a wonderful one. A stay at this hotel is a once in a lifetime experience. This hotel adjoins the palace of Versailles and used to be the abode of the finance minister. The private tours alone make a stay at the hotel worthwhile. It is a dream to be able to visit the hall of mirrors without throngs of visitors. Even though the clientele seems to be mostly couples, the hotel bent over backwards to cater to my young children. The tours can be tiring for children, but my six and eight year old enjoyed the golf carts in the gardens, the row boats and picnic by the grand canal. The older one loved horse back riding while my six year old had fun at the beautiful indoor pool with toys the hotel gave her. The children loved the doll house and stuffed animals in their rooms. The hotel itself is beautiful. The stay was idyllic. If you can swing it visit it. Only caveat, don’t do the royal feast if you have time to visit other restaurants around. Not that it’s bad, there are just better food. The hotel is not immediately kid intuitive, like beautiful glass ware is breakable and kids don’t need a tasting menu. However small things like this were easily modified. This is a once in a life time experience highly recommend

We stayed two nights at Airelles Chateau de Versailles. Our magical time there was memorable. We stayed in the L’Orangerie our first night. The room is spacious and the patio was wonderful. Our second night we stayed in the Necker Suite. It is what dreams are made of. Blessed to have had the opportunity to stay in such a stunning suite. The staff here, without exception, were gracious, professional and kind. The overall experience at this property is so spectacular, we are planning our next trip. Without giving away too much, we were amazed with so many things they offer. Each day, from morning to night, we just looked at each other and smiled. Thank you to every staff member for your hard work and kindness.

This is an amazing experience, particularly for history nerds like me. The opportunity to have access to knowledgeable guides in the empty palace was stupendous. We adored being able to explore further (than if walking) in our golf cart and electric boat. It was so atmospheric knowing we were in a restored 17thC building, with staff in costume, dinner by candlelight only, and menu inspiration from the days of Louis XIV. Couldn't believe the teenager ate smoked eel pie!! If you have the means then this is definitely recommended. My only regret was I didn't realise a visit to the Queen's theatre and hamlet was not part of the tours, and I didn't leave enough time to go their in my golf cart - now I have to go back!! My highlight - all the little details relating to the life of Marie-Antoinette, including her personal porcelain ware. My teenager's highlight - the gougere offered in the evenings (they were fabulous), and the challenge she set herself about how many macarons she could eat (11 in 48 hours). My friend's highlight - routine glasses of champagne for breakfast!!