Over the top!

We arrived in Reims via train from Paris, caught a taxi to Les Crayeres. Our "standard" room was ready for us, and it was anything BUT standard.

Wow! What a place...we were in chambre 18, a delightful, spacious bedroom decorated in red and white toile, and splashes of red and ivory plaid here and there. The room had a comfy loveseat and several chairs scattered about, two large windows that looked out over the grounds. The bathroom rivals mine at home, lots of marble, plenty of room, and the potty and bidet were in a separate little room adjoining the area where the lavatory, dressing table, and tub/shower were. There were luxurious white terry robes and slippers waiting for both of us. Off from the bedroom, there was a curtained closet area with plenty of hanging room and storage drawers, and a place to stash your luggage. I had gotten a rate of 265 euros nightly from Expedia, and had emailed them to be sure that we'd have one large bed rather than two twins, and also noted in my email that we'd be celebrating our 10th anniversary there. We made dinner reservations for the last night we were there.

I know that this is a hotel review, but this Michelin-starred restaurant is not to be missed. It's expensive, but I have never been treated so well. It really is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. We will never forget our lovely stay in this wonderful chateau and the delicious, elegant meal we were served. This place is sheer celebration!!!

Les Crayeres is worth every euro!

We spent our 25th anniversary at Les Crayeres in July for 2 nights. We stayed in Room 16, a corner room with a terrace and a beautiful view of Reims. The room was magnificent, the service friendly, professional and royal. Our first night we only had an appertif on the terrace but it was memorable for the quality of the champagne, the accompanying starter served with it and a view of the setting sun like a post card. The following evening we enjoyed another appertif on the terrace followed by an incredible dinner, probably the best we ever had. Impeccable service, beautiful surroundings and a sumptuous breakfast the following morning served with our anniversary cake ( a surprise at dinner the night before which we could not possibly eat). It's no wonder that Les Crayeres ranks continously in the top 10 hotels in the world in every reader poll (8th this year in Travel and Leisure Sept 2004 edition). Only sorry that we didn't tour more than one champagne cave and that there was no english tour of the cathedral as the brochure indicated. We drove the back roads to Verdun to see the WWI sights instead which was quite interesting.

Very relaxing and quiet!

One of the best places in the world, BUT only if your over 60 years old. My husband and I found it VERY QUIET. If your thinking about visiting this wonderful hotel, don't stay more than one night. We stayed there 2 nights and thought I was going to explode from the boredom. What saved us was my husband and I visited all the champagne houses around the hotel. Amazing!! If you don't like champagne DON'T GO. This is the only thing to do during the day. Their restraunt was WONDERFUL. Great service. But again, we stayed too long.

Best meal ever

The best meal we've ever had. The five-course set menu is wonderfully put together, and the portions are just right. Notwithstanding the cost, I would certainly eat there again.

Unrivaled

My partner and I staid there on our first anniversary. He was there for the first time, and I was personnally returning for the 6th time, eventhough I had never slept there.

1 - For those who wonder why Michelin rates the place 2 stars only this year : I also do ! Nothing has changed, or if it has, it is only in the best possible way.

2 - We poor french people have to pay rates calibrated for our american friends. I think I paid less for a room at the 4-Seasons in NYC. Bearing in mind that although in the Champagne area, the place still lies in the middle of nowhere, and views over Reims do not match those over Central Park. you get my point : this is damn wild expensive.

Still this is a wonderful place to stay at. I have staid in many top range places in the world, and such a level of refinment remains unrivaled in my opinion.

Actually, you don't know what is the best : accomodation, food or service. They compete to please you, and give you the most for your euros. So they give you A LOT !

Our american friends like the "best in the world" superlative. Well, according to my own experience, this is and remains the best place in France, and I have stayed in all Michelin-3-star rated places.

Wow!

What a fantastic place! From the chicest receptionists I've ever seen through to the most amazing service and food ever. This was an incredible start to our honeymoon and we will definitely be going back (once we've saved enough money!) Yes it is pricey but with it's wonderfully peaceful English gardens, sophistocated atmosphere and fab staff it's worth every penny. We only had a standard room but that certainly didn't mean it was your run of the mill standard hotel bedroom. Definitely the place to go for special occasions but don't forget to bring at appetite; 8 courses is definitely a lot to handle!

Fab!

What a great "chateaux-turned-boutique-hotel"....service sooo helpful and literally surrounded by all the main champagne houses....all accomodations are different in decor and suites-if only due to their huge size!-and furnished with beautiful art instead of reproductions....one needs a car there to drive around....but I seldom left the property catching up on my reading, delicious eating and great DVD library for guests.....FYI:NOBODY will exchange $100 bills (except Les Crayeres) in Epernay or Reims-the nearest towns-because "they might be fake"!!!! All the banks came with the same line!!! And we mostly carried $100 bills!!!! And CC's don't work for all things you know.....no bank could explain why their staff could detect lower dollar fake currency yet NOT $100 bills....very odd......

Fantastic place to stay!

Creme de la Creme

My wife and I stayed here on the next-to-last night of our 2-week honeymoon in France. The accomodations were very impressive--a spacious room with a small balcony view of Reims, a comfortable bed, lavish decorations, and updated bathrooms with both tub and shower. The *only* downside was that our heater stayed on high despite my repeated attempts to work the controls, so we had to open the balcony doors. But aside from its convenience and its luxury, the real reason to visit here is the dining. I have been fortunate enough to have quite a number of excellent meals in my life all over the United States and even a little of Europe, but this was absolutely my finest dining experience. We had spent the two weeks previous dining at a number of noted Relais & Gourmand establishments, but we weren't prepared for the superiority of Boyer les Crayeres. Both of us ordered the chef's menu accompanied by the sommelier's selection, and were treated to course after course of simply incredible delicacies. From soups to lobster to liver (which I rarely eat) to several desserts, everything we tried was magnificent. I can't recall all of the specific dishes (and half the time we were guessing anyway), but I do remember that the champagne was Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin La Grande Dame 1995, and probably the best I've tasted. Afterwards, we were ushered into the adjoining bar to enjoy espresso and after-dinner drinks, and we could not help but spend the time reliving our supreme dinner experience. Boyer les Crayeres receives my HIGHEST recommendation!

The Best Restaurant in the World

When my wife offered me as a birthday gift a week in the kitchen of a Relais and Chateaux restaurant through their new program, I said, only if les Crayères participates. I was not disappointed. I was the second participant (the first was a local who sat in the corner and watched), and the first American, the first former chef, the first foreigner who spoke French. The restaurant is, simply, unmatched anywhere. The service (according to Travel and Lesiure, and I agree) is the best in the world. Besides, it's in the heart of the heart of the Champagne region of France. GO!

Don't Miss the Opportunity

Worth every penny. Boyer les Crayeres deserves high marks for its fine rooms and excellent cooking. My wife and I spent two days at Boyer in mid-April 2003. Our room at about $380 a night--the dollar was sinking like a rock against the Euro--was extremely comfortable. Avoiding getting a room over the kitchen, though well insulated, our room was a bit noisy in the morning. Otherwise, splurge for a room with a balcony overlooking the garden. Even the lowest priced rooms were well appointed--took a look when the maid was cleaning them. The restaurant was amazing (3 Michelin stars), though the price was through the roof. Count on $220 to $250 per person with the fixed menu. A la carte will run you even higher. Worth it though, if you consider what you get. The service was sublime, food layered with flavor, elegant dining rooms, and excellent champagnes and wine (included in the fixed menu price). Overall Boyer is a real splurge for those making under 100K per year. If you make over 100K, you really could not tell at Boyer; they seem to treat their guests like friends. Boyer les Crayeres is like going to a special place to live and eat just for awhile. Yes, for a price, but a small one for the memory.