Off the beaten track in Cognac’s Charente region is an idyllic wedding and honeymoon destination: design-beautiful Hôtel Chais Monnet & Spa. With Michelin-starred dining, a superb spa, a cool rooftop bar and outside/indoor pool it ticks all the boxes for a really romantic retreat or event.
Partly owned by Soho Farmhouse’s founder, and with a similar luxe-rustic atmosphere, astute design has transformed the 19th century French trading house into a stylish five-star retreat. A modern glass pavilion spans nearly five acres, and the hotel’s rooftop terrace has stunning views of the mediaeval market town of Cognac.
On the doorstep, the lush Charente countryside stretches out for miles: vineyards, the ancient river with its historical trading barques, oysters, local balsamic vinegar production and the world’s most eminent Cognac Houses. The light here is golden throughout spring, summer and autumn, and crisp during the French winter: excellent for photos that capture the unforgettable moments of engagements, weddings and honeymoons…
The Hotel Chais Monnet team ensures that every event is individualised Its beauty salon offers bridal makeup and hair styling, and in-house gourmet chefs curate each wedding breakfast: including for example a traditional Croquembouche wedding cake, a strawberry, red fruit dessert with Madeleine biscuits, or crunchy chocolate pralines.
The hotel’s Wedding Spa Suite has a private massage room, and up to 200 more guests can be accommodated in spacious hotel guest rooms that range from Deluxe to Presidential Suites, each styled with Manuel Canovas’ designs.
Receptions can also be hosted in The Jazz Bar – Le 1838 – which stocks over 330 different cognac brands including single batch and limited edition Cognacs. The fine-dining restaurant Les Foudres has, for several years, proudly held aMichelin Star. There’s a renowned wellbeing spa, pool and multiple carefully-curated Guest Experiences, including vintage Citroen 2CVs for exploring the local vineyards and countryside, bikes for picnics, and excursions to local markets and food producers.
The hotel also recommends for its guests an alternative wedding venue nearby – Château No3 – an ancient boutique Cognac distillery in the vineyards of the Grand Champagne. There’s a circular green by the dovecote, a winding lavender path, a “sunset trail” overlooking acres of vineyards, and a ‘Grand Chai’ open-arched Barn. This beautifully restored former cognac distillery is a valued partner of Hotel Chais Monnet & Spa for wedding ceremonies.
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