Hôtel L' Assiette Champenoise - Reims, France

Hôtel L' Assiette Champenoise was once a private mansion, but has been expanded and transformed into a contemporary, modern luxury hotel and restaurant. Since it opened for business about 40 years ago, it has been a family-run business, operated by the Lallement family.

The property is located in the town of Tinqueux, which is a suburb of Reims. It is situated in an unassuming spot, and can be easy to miss without knowing what you are looking for. However, once you enter the driveway and pass the wall which surrounds the property, you will instantly notice the traditional architecture of the old mansion, contrasted by modern additions and accented by modern sculptures.

When we entered our room, our luggage had been brought up by the valet and was waiting for us. The room itself was considered a “large room”, and it definitely was large. Just inside the entry was a sitting area with a sofa, chair and a coffee table, facing a TV mounted on the wall. Across from that area was a desk within its own dedicated space. Beyond the “office” where the desk was and the sitting area was the king size bed, with the puffiest comforter I have ever seen, like a cloud. Finally, the bathroom was set adjacent to the bed, and it featured a walk-in shower, as well as a full-size tub. Along one side of the room, there were two windows which provided a peaceful view overlooking the garden. The windows had pull-down shades, to soften the light coming through and provide a bit of privacy. However, to fully darken the room, each window was equipped with fully motorized storm shutters, which rolled down quietly from above. Everything about the room felt very modern, but also with some sense of character, which was present throughout the rest of the hotel.

The hotel features plenty of creature comforts, as described above in the rooms, as well as a heated pool located downstairs. A variety of in-room and concierge services are also offered by the hotel, for additional fees, including babysitting and hairdressing, among others. We were only here for one night, but for those on an extended stay, or with a family, these would likely be useful and appreciated. The one amenity we did take full advantage of during our stay was the hotel’s in-house restaurant, which goes by the same name. It was a delicious meal, and the staff, as well as Chef Arnaud Lallement were incredibly hospitable.

Entering the lobby, the hotel immediately fully assumes the modern aesthetic, with contemporary artwork situated among boldly designed furnishings. Once we got checked in, we were shown to our room, down a long corridor which stretched along one of the property’s wings. While heading through the building, we passed by a couple lounge areas as well as a small nook, perfect for doing some reading, or catching up on some emails. Each of these spaces was unique in its design, but carried the modern luxury aesthetic throughout.

Overall, our stay here was excellent. The room was spacious, quiet, and comfortable and everything seemed new and very clean, which was obviously to be expected. Although such modern designed places can feel cold or impersonal, Assiette Champenoise managed to still feel cozy and inviting. Maybe it was the spirit of the old mansion, which functionally did not seem to be much more than a facade, but the place felt like home. This hotel is an exceptional standout when visiting Reims, and should be near the top of your list.