Airelles Château de Versailles, le Grand Contrôle

I would’ve loved ending my trip in Versailles instead of Paris! The stay was beyond amazing; I would rate it 100/10! After that, we visited the Mandarin Oriental, and let me tell you, the service was outstanding there but it was no airelles ! The beds, pillows, and views were simply breathtaking. Sleeping was like sleeping on cloud 9. The concierge letiesha took care of planning our itinerary, so I didn't have to worry about a thing! From the tours to the dinners, everything was perfect. And every night, we were surprised with a special gift on our bed from pajamas to special treats and tea! Even our departure was handled with such care! Letiesha was amazing. Let me tell you, this was luxury at its finest... I usually could find at least one thing off... But not this time... This is for my girls: when doing the palace tour, wear comfortable shoes...!

This review is complex for me. I would not change my choice to stay at the Airelle Versailles property, and aspects of it were exceptional. However, there are things that deserve to be noted to other travelers that are drawbacks. I will annotate the good things as my primary act. First, my interactions with Eva were very positive during the stay. She was helpful and kind in an appropriate manner. Second, the access to the chateau is what made me willing to spend this amount of money on the stay and I was delivered the promised product. There were two private tours with exceptional guides. The access was unparalleled. Additionally, we had free rein of the gardens with specialized golf carts. That was a dream for me. Third, the rooms are beautifully appointed and very clean. Finally, the coffee (lattes) and tea selection (white peony etc) are truly excellent. Regarding the negatives: first, the food. What is served at the afternoon tea is nearly inedible. The man at the table next to me actually spit out food from his mouth into his hand and then put it into a napkin. The flavors are severe and unpleasant, and this nouveau cuisine is overdone. Second, the “royal” dinner was not worth it from a culinary perspective. The food is in a very similar vein to what is served at tea so it is harsh in flavor, hard to eat, and oddly paired. Additionally, the town of Versailles itself has truly excellent restaurants. My recommendation to other travelers would be to pursue the gourmet food in the town itself and avoid the hotel restaurant. This applies to pastries as well. The patisseries in the town are delightful. The breads I was served during my stay were not as high quality as what I found in town. Finally, the behavior of the other guests is not regulated on the tours at all. Our guide at the petit Trianon was overwhelmed by American high school aged children and their parents refusing to stay with the group and wandering off even after being chastised multiple times as well as other group members constantly talking over her and having loud private conversations. Similar things occurred on the evening tour. I did not realize that the cost could imply entitlement and I was shocked by the rudeness. It also made the tours, at times, quite difficult. This is not the fault of the hotel but an overall vibe for the stay. If you are passionate about French history and Versailles, this is likely a worthwhile pursuit. Consider other options for food and pursue the restaurants and patisseries in the town.

Best hotel on earth. Service at a Royal level. The private tours were fantastic. It seemed that the Chateau was ours alone. The tea by Ducasse was to die for and the tour of the apartments at sunset , completely private was once in a lifetime. The petite Trianon was opened just for us as was the hall of mirrors. An opportunity to experience the palace the same way royalty did. Except with better food and beds!!