One fascinating trend to keep an eye on in the hospitality space: well-funded luxury labels are turning neglected palaces into hotels.
Airelles Collection is an early trailblazer of the concept. The luxury label is based in the French Alps, and their “collection” to this point has comprised two stays: a 34-room stopover in Gordes named La Bastide and the namesake, Les Airelles, a mountain mansion in Courcheval that resembles an Austro-Hungarian castle.
The crown jewel of the Airelles list, though, will arrive in spring of next year. For years, a 17th-century hotel called Le Grand Contrôle has sat on the grounds at Versailles, overlooking the the Versailles Orangerie with little to do. Since 2008, it’s been the public domain of the National Estate of Versailles and recognized as a Historical Monument, though clearly less of a draw compared to the rest of the three-plus-square-mile grounds.
That should change soon. Airelles, which is owned by the LOV Hotel Collection, acquired the property and has been busy renovating the building ahead of a Spring 2020 launch. When the hotel opens, it’ll feature just 14 guest rooms, plus a wellness center and an indoor swimming pool. Oh, and an Alain Ducasse restaurant.
Unfortunately, that’s about all the information available about Le Grand Contrôle at the moment; privatization on Versailles grounds is a huge deal, and no doubt they’re staying mum to drum up some excitement. Expect nightly rates to be egregious, but consider that only a few centuries ago, your head would’ve been put on a spike if you dared sleep that close to the palace. Go society.
Make sure to stalk the Airelles site for more info as the date gets closer.
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