Review: Timeless French charm at Hotel Chais Monnet & Spa
Location: Standing proud in Cognac town is Hotel Chais Monnet & Spa – a stone’s throw from the region’s famous vineyards. With a Michelin-starred restaurant and extensive spa, this is a luxurious gateway into the world of cognac.
First impressions: The property is a seamless blend of old and new. Housed in a former distillery, the hotel’s sparkling glass buildings sit in tandem with the original 19th‑century architecture. We enter through a pristine, plastered archway and stroll down a walkway lined with trickling fountains. The foyer’s glass spiral staircases and warm wood panelling demonstrate the property’s ability to balance classic sophistication with modern touches.
The facts: A total of 92 rooms and suites evoke timeless French charm, with luxuriously thick curtains and sturdy beams. Some rooms include private gardens, walk-in wardrobes and plush living spaces, with connecting accommodation available. Stepping into the towering glass building at the property’s rear, you’re met with the gleaming spa. Although disappointingly the sauna and steam room are out of action during my visit, an array of facials and massages are on offer across four treatment rooms. Hotel Chais Monnet & Spa boasts Michelin-starred restaurant Les Foudres, with a mesmerising chandelier and sumptuous lighting creating a romantic ambience. A tasting menu brings delights including perfectly rare pigeon breast with beetroot and berries, and fig poached in strawberry vinegar with ice cream. La Distillerie serves more‑relaxed meals with excellent eats such as gravlax and scallop risotto, but with slightly less attentive service than its star‑studded sister. My personal highlight is Bar 1838, where more than 330 types of cognac can be sampled; I opt for the best amaretto sour I’ve ever tasted. Cocktail masterclasses with head bartender Mickael Ulrich are a fun way to discover cognac’s versatility in delectable sidecars, negronis and mojitos. In the summer, guests can enjoy sips with panoramic views over the town at open-air Rooftop 1838.
Ideal for: Cognac bottles scattered in every corner confirm this hotel is one for spirit enthusiasts. With 210,000 acres of vines and about 300 cognac houses across the region, lovers of the tipple could spend weeks exploring every hidden gem. Cognac town’s modest size and sleepy feel mean this spot is particularly suited to a slower pace of travel.
Explore: Bikes and e-bikes are available to tour the picturesque old town and riverside, with boat trips also on offer, but the cognac houses are undeniably the main event. Just a two-minute walk away is the Rémy Martin museum and tasting room, which offers engaging tours and private experiences dedicated to the world-renowned Louis XIII blend at its nearby vineyard. Around the corner is Hennessy’s impressive headquarters, with fascinating traditional barrel‑making demos, a quirky VR experience and boat rides to the enormous cellars. In neighbouring Jarnac, the prestigious Delamain house hosts once-in-a‑lifetime cellar culinary affairs, where up to eight guests dine among the fragrant barrels after dark, with dinner and a cognac pairing curated by a celebrated chef in a truly magical atmosphere. Foodies will also appreciate the town’s refined restaurants, including Michelin Guide-recognised Poulpette. The hotel provides packages and concierge services for reservations and elevated activities – albeit on my trip, with varying degrees of reliability.
Wow: Visitors will be blown away by the high‑end experiences on this hotel’s doorstep. The nearby cognac houses provide some of the most seamless, intimate and insightful tours I have encountered, and visitors could not dream of a more comfortable and convenient base.
Book it: Nightly rates start from €265.
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