Auberge du Jeu de Paume*****
The latest addition to the Chantilly hotel scene; the Auberge du Jeu de Paume sits at the Château end of Chantilly's main street. In is therefore walking distance to both the Chateau de Chantilly and the shops and restaurants on the main street: position A! Converted from the old offices of France Patrimoine (France's National Trust) the buildings themselves are embedded in the history of Chantilly - although it's hard to tell today as the renovation has been so complete.
The small hotel is the only five-star hotel in Chantilly and offers levels of comfort and service of the highest standards; indeed one of its restaurants already has a Michelin star! And as it only opened in late 2012 everything is still fresh and new, albeit classic French furnishings and décor lend the Jeu de Paume a more established feel.
The Jeu de Paume's bedrooms are comfortable and nicely equipped; the 'Classic' room category are very comfortable (but possibly not as spacious as you might expect for a five-star hotel), so you may wish to treat yourselves to a larger 'Superior' room, or spoil yourself rotten with a Suite?
Aside from the two restaurants and cosy little bar, there is also an indoor pool and compact spa area at the Jeu de Paume, these are tucked away on the lower-ground floor where there is a full range of spa and beauty treatments available. Another very useful service offererd by the hotel is the valet parking, so just pull straight up to the front door when you arrive and the concierge will take care of your wheels.
Mercure Chantilly**** (ex Dolce Chantilly)
The long-standing Dolce hotel has now become the 'Mercure Chantilly'. Not much has changed though, it is still just five minutes from the centre of town, concealed in the thick of the royal forests behind the stunning Château and just across the road from the legendary Chantilly Golf Club: a perfect location for golfers visiting Chantilly. The Mercure Chantilly hotel is a thoroughly up-to-date establishment with an international conference centre attached, so consequently a high standard of bedrooms plus all of the amenities that a demanding business clientèle would expect: indoor and outdoor pools, a fitness centre, spa area, tennis courts - even a football pitch!
There are plenty of bedrooms at the Mercure spread across both wings of the L-shaped building. Some have small balconies overlooking either the golf course or the car-park at the front: nice for a breath of fresh-air and sunshine (although there is a small supplement for these rooms); Suites are also available. Bathrooms are all modern and most have showers as opposed to baths.
When it comes to dining, L'Epicerie restaurant in its sunny conservatory serves a good menu that is updated frequently. Before or after dinner, beside the airy Reception, there is a very comfortable lounge-bar. For dining elsewhere there is a wide choice in Chantilly and many others tucked away in the surrounding forest: we have plenty of recommendations for you.
The hotel's golf course, now known as 'Forêt de Chantilly', is the least demanding in the area, but pitched exactly right for a warm-up round on arrival and there are good practice facilities too, including the rather amusing driving-lake!
Hotel du Parc***- Chantilly
A straightforward three-star hotel in the very centre of Chantilly that underwent a total remodelling in 2017. In fact the transformation is so complete that even if you have stayed here in the past you will not recognise the Hotel du Parc today!
Bedrooms have been given a major makeover and are on ok size for a three-star hotel. Nowadays, they have much better quality beds and furniture, plus the bathrooms have been vastly improved offering bright and clean functionality.
The Hotel du Parc's greatest asset is perhaps its location: on the main street in the centre of Chantilly, within strolling distance of all the Chantilly restaurants and brasseries vying to slake your thirst and sate your appetite. And you won't even have to stray that far from home as the 'Cob' restaurant that merges from next door into the hotel lobby has a varied modern menu. For night owls, there is even a late bar in the basement (don't miss that Tee-time!).
The hotel has also revamped it's breakfast arrangements and there is now a full buffet on offer every morning in the sunny breakfast room (or perhaps on the patio outside?). Other services available at the hotel are massages in their small spa area for aching golf muscles and private car parking: both of which incur a local charge (although parking on the street in Chantilly is free in August, which is one of the best months to visit).
Hostellerie de La Porte Bellon***- Senlis
At the Hostellerie de La Porte Bellon it's all about the food. In the vintage town of Senlis, just five miles from Chantilly, with its cobbled streets, narrow alleys, haphazard stone houses and two cathedrals, lies the Hostellerie de la Porte Bellon: fabled for foodies.
One of the original buildings of the town, the Hostellerie has nineteen very simple rooms (all with en-suite shower rooms) but one of the world's great kitchens. Unheralded by the likes of Michelin et athe Chef is at liberty to indulge his passion for cooking and demonstrate his carefree flair: the results are exquisite. You will find that your fellow diners are neither here by chance, nor for their first time!
The hostellerie also has an impressive vaulted wine cellar, where we can arrange pre-dinner drinks or wine tastings for your party, if that would interest you?
The Hostellerie de la Porte Bellon does not have its own car-park, however there are a number of spaces in the public car-park in front of the gates, and more a little further down the street, so finding a slot is rarely a problem.
