Loisium Wine & Spa Hotel, Champagne

Are there any words that, when put together, evoke such feelings of joy as “wine”, “spa”, “hotel” and “Champagne”? Nestled among some of the most valuable real estate in the area of Champagne, France – vineyards belonging to the most renowned champagne houses where world-class bottles begin their life before being shipped all over the world – is a hotel that aims to fully immerse its guests in the experience of visiting the region.

Wine tourism is becoming more popular year on year, with visitors eager to combine their food and wine passion with the experience of staying in an excellent hotel that builds on and facilitates exploration. The Loisium brand has recognised this niche market, opening three hotels in Austria and one in Champagne with this exact market in mind.

On entering the hotel, the first thing to notice is the calming, almost spa-like, atmosphere. We’ve arrived late afternoon in winter, and the sun is already weak in the sky, but stepping inside Loisium is like going from day to night. Everything is low lit and calm, save for the rumble of merriment taking place around the corner in the Les Bulles bar. The interiors put the onus firmly on the main event, with champagne hues, bubble-embossed metal pillars, and a wall-sized lightbox installation where bottles become art.

We’re staying in one of Loisium’s Junior Suites. Each suite is located at the far end of each wing, ensuring the benefit of unhindered views over the vineyards. Our particular suite is entered through a small reception area that features something quite unique: a designated champagne drinking station with full-length window and seat to create a cosy space to relax with the view, and a shelf purpose-built to hold a champagne bottle and two flutes. Sitting waiting for us, perfectly chilled, is a bottle of the hotel’s own-brand champagne, made in partnership with well-known local house Ayala.

The room features a minibar station with snacks and coffee-making facilities, beyond which is the bedroom – a tranquil space in a continuation of the hotel’s palette of neutrals and golds. A good sized bed takes centre-stage, arranged to face towards enormous glass sliding doors, which fully open onto a balcony with table and chairs. The balcony stretches the entire length of the suite, with seating at both ends and, with the windows fully open, the room becomes a hybrid of indoor/outdoor space.

A generous bathroom is accessed via sliding doors on the other side of the reception space. Inside, a sleek double sink vanity unit is framed against full-length windows that overlook the balcony and views beyond. Plentiful natural light balances the industrial shades of the separate toilet and shower rooms, and surfaces are stocked with products from Austrian brand Apothecary Saint Charles, which gives a nod to the hotel group’s heritage.

Also provided in the room is a tablet, pre-loaded with information about tours provided by the hotel in conjunction with local businesses. From private guided tours of the Dom Perignon abbey to quad bike trips through the vineyards, there’s something for every type of visitor and trip.

We head downstairs to the basement, eager to experience one of the hotel’s true unique selling points: the wine spa. It’s an industrial-style space with a contrast of expansive cement ceilings and minimal furniture alongside fluted wood and spotlights, which, together, create calm cosiness. Here, Apothecary Saint Charles has joined forces with Burgundy brand Vinésime to create a spa menu centred around the beauty benefits of wine. Guests can refresh using unique local treatments, such as wine hydra skin masks, a Grand Cru scrub, and even Chardonnay Eau de Parfum to take home.

A dimly-lit corridor leads past a hammam and sauna, back through to an open relaxation space where natural light streams in from wraparound windows. The area is filled with cushioned day beds that face towards the forest, and the spa bar offers complimentary infused water, fruit and dried nuts, and of course there’s wine (or better yet – champagne) available to purchase. The spa area was just a little crowded when we visited in the evening, but a morning session before breakfast made for a much more peaceful experience.

Though situated conveniently close to Épernay and Aÿ, where there is plenty of choice for dining, we opted to take advantage of Loisium’s on-site offering. There are two restaurants to choose from, depending on how the mood takes you: L’Horisium, a more formal option with an à la carte menu that puts strong focus on local ingredients. In addition to usual signposting of allergens etc., the menu actually lists the kilometer distance of many of the ingredients used, such as Gauthier Rouchaussé potatoes (7.1km) and vegetables from La Borde farm (7.1km). L’Horisium also holds an impressive wine list.

The Les Bulles bar is a more casual affair, serving small plates and snacks well into the evening. Our visit happens to coincide with a major storm and the President has issued a warning advising against all travel. As the forest begins to tentatively rustle around us, we note that we could be in prime position to witness a natural phenomenon. With this in mind, we take advantage of Loisium’s in-room dining offering, opting for several small dishes from Les Bulles, including truffle French fries and cured meats to eat in our room.

We change into the fluffy bathrobes, pop Loisium’s own champagne, and head to the terrace armed with blankets – another detail that has been thoughtfully provided in the suite – to watch the storm roll in across the fields. It’s a chance moment made more special by the attention to detail exacted by the hotel’s team.

After a cosy evening watching movies from the warmth of bed, while the gale force winds rattle outside, we head downstairs for breakfast in the L’Horisium restaurant. As with everything at Loisium, champagne is a given, and there’s a menu of different brands (by glass or by bottle – the choice depending on what else you have planned that day!) to accompany the most important meal. The breakfast buffet is a spread with warm croissants piled high, a cheeseboard laden with varieties, and hot dishes wheeled out fresh from the kitchen. We fill up on continental fare, lining the stomach for a day of champagne tasting ahead.

For the ideal balance of nature, cutting-edge design, a quality spa offering, and plenty of champagne, it’s a great choice for a stay in the region.

We stayed
in one of the hotel’s Junior Suites, priced from just €255 per night, including breakfast (champagne not included) and spa access

For best rates, including exclusive seasonal offers, book directly through the hotel’s website.

This was a press stay – all opinions are our own.