Though not particularly attractive, apart from its splendid Gothic cathedral, Reims has some excellent restaurants and hotels, including this one, owned by the Lallement family. Set in large grounds, it has a typically north French exterior: white rendering with timbers, red brickwork, grey roof tiles. Fairly grand and sizeable, it has “splendid” public rooms and “many delightful sitting areas, indoors and out”. “Our bedroom, and the dining room, were warm and welcoming on a winter”s night,” say recent guests. The bedrooms retain their classic feel, but the suites have been recently refurbished in a contemporary style to match the decor of the restaurant and bar. The cooking of Arnaud Lallement (three Michelin stars) is thought “excellent”, eg, asperges vertes de Robert Blanc; filet d”agneau cuit à la rôtissoire. The wine list is enormous. There is a starkly contemporary dining room and, in fine weather, you can eat on the “idyllic” terrace. “Breakfast was a generous buffet” (but served in the bedroom, it might come on an “overweight tray”). Some suites have a patio (good wheelchair access) or terrace. The “excellent” indoor swimming pool looks through large windows on to the garden. “Expensive but worth it.”