Airelles Château de Versailles, Le Grand Contrôle

The first and only hotel at the Palace of Versailles, the grand stone buildings of Le Grand Contrôle were built for the Duke of Beauvilliers in the 1680s, before housing the controller of Louis XVI’s exchequer in the 18th century. More recently, the Airelles Hotel Group have undertaken a painstaking renovation, creating a unique luxury hotel, full of 18th century grandeur overlooking the Orangerie Gardens.

Floral fabrics and porcelain pieces have been recreated from records in the Versailles archive. Period furniture and antiques have been sourced, parquet floors restored, and the high-ceilinged interiors adorned with marble fireplaces, mirrors, chandeliers, and portraits of the period. Staff uniforms are also in keeping with the 18th century style. This all contributes to an authentic, elegant, and unforgettable stay.

Each guest is assigned a dedicated personal butler for the duration of their stay to ensure every need and request is accommodated and the hotel boasts 7 beautifully restored guestrooms, 6 suites and an apartment. In a similar fashion to the rest of the hotel, each is individually decorated with antiques, fabrics, artworks, and décor to reflect the sumptuous royal lifestyle of the 18th century. The accommodation is named after important characters in Versailles history, and all rooms include a complimentary minibar, Wi-Fi, tablet, and Marshall speakers, although there is no TV.

For an impossibly romantic stay, book the spacious Madame de Fouquet Room, featuring a host of atmospheric original features, stunning four poster bed, two bathrooms and sprawling terrace overlooking the palace gardens. We’d also recommend the expansive Suite Necker boasting a separate bedroom, Versailles parquet flooring, vast living room with a marble fireplace, and the chance to soak in the bathtub with views of the Orangerie. Or for more space, Le Grand Appartement sleeps up to six in palatial style.

During a stay, guests can request the King’s Wake-up Call, which includes a discreet wake-up visit from the butler, to bring a hot drink, draw a warm bath, open the curtains, and turn on a selection of baroque music.

Candlelit by night, the Alain Ducasse Restaurant combines theatrical staging with exceptional cuisine. Beautifully cooked and seasoned fresh produce is accompanied by sauces and jus to enhance the flavours and a highlight is the five-course Royal Feast, where former Royal favourites are given a modern makeover. Guests get priority booking in the restaurant. Lunches are lighter fare, while afternoon tea is served in the drawing room and a sumptuous breakfast can be enjoyed on the terrace.

The hotel’s luxury Valmont Spa includes a large pool area, and the pool can be booked for private use for one-hour per day. Along with the pool, the spa includes a hammam, sauna and two treatments rooms. There is also a 21st century fitness centre. A highlight of the hotel is the daily after-hours tours of the Château, the Grand and Petit Trianons, as well as the use of electric golf buggies to explore the palace grounds. The tours change daily and give access to the private apartments which are rarely open to the public. Guests also enjoy unlimited access to the palace gardens, for a morning stroll, picnics on the lawn of the Grand Canal and horseback riding in the park.

Another popular experience is the chance to dress up as Marie-Antoinette in period costume to enjoy afternoon tea. Hair and make-up artists prepare guests for a photoshoot with a professional photographer, for a unique souvenir of their stay. The hotel’s entrance is close to the main gates of the palace and the building sits just inside the grounds, overlooking the Orangerie Gardens and the grand stone staircases leading to Louis XVI’s iconic Château de Versailles.