Place to sleep: Le Royal Champagne, Épernay, France

About this place:

Le Royal Champagne surpassed our expectations in every facet. The hotel is located about a 10 minute drive north of Epernay, with a wonderful view of the valley below. When you check-in you are offered a glass of Champagne. We asked if we could have the Champagne in our room, which was no problem, and it was served with some cookies.

The size, colors, materials of the bedroom just made you feel so cozy and at home right away. The bed and linens were just wonderful. Adjacent to the bedroom was a small sitting room with a fire place and a fantastic view of the vineyards below.

Now the bathroom was the size of our living room at home. Enormous with a separate claw foot tub, double sink, bide, and shower that would fit a normal size family. My girlfriend was in heaven.

But we managed to drag ourselves up to the restaurant for dinner, which has a star in the Guide Michelin, by the way. We enjoyed a 7 course meal over 3 hours with a 1996 Nicolas Feuillatte Champagne. It was perfect. We just regret that we spent 3 nights in Paris and only one here.

So for anyone who loves quite elegance and luxury, food, and Champagne, this is the place.