Airelles, The Uber-Luxe French Hotel Group That Flies Under The Radar

In OT Global Airlines News, its plane is headed into storage!

https://x.com/flightradar24/status/1945464522065563904?s=46

Great idea for a blog series, but I am curious as to what you define as "small." Many of these brands are expanding quite rapidly... I was looking at Rocco Forte this morning and even they have 5 coming up.

Ben - perhaps you'd give Airelles this honor, but I'd love to hear what hotel group delivers the best luxury experience for the dollar. It's interesting that there is a decent variance in room rates between the few Airelles properties. If they consistently deliver an amazing experience regardless of the location, then knowing which location is ~$700/nt vs. $2500/nt is very meaningful. The first is a do-able splurge for many readers while the second is just out of the question for many. Thanks, I look forward to reading more in this series!

PS - Slightly different topic, but I'd love for you to review some "luxury" family-friendly AI properties in Europe, like Ikos resorts. I know you're not a traditional AI fan, but some of these properties might really appeal to your family (and readers with a family!).

Charging ultra-premium rates and allowing (or heck, welcoming) kids on property are not compatible. There's no way one should spend a few grand a night with the slightest risk of one's evening getting ruined by some screaming toddler (or worse, several), especially when adults-only alternatives exist.

The answer to your question is Peninsula hotels.

Grand lobbies with presence (London not so much).
Anytime check in and check out.
Rolls royce fleet.
Multiple cuisines at most properties, done to a very high standard and authentic.
Room hardware and software not as high end as Airelles/Cheval Blanc/Oketer etc. but nicer than Four Seasons, Park Hyatt MO, same or lower price point for Peninsula. Always real silverware, good tablecloths, bed linens etc.
In house chocolatier.
Real silver trays, ice buckets etc.
Housekeeping with attention to detail.
Unique bath products.
Good linens.
Well dressed staff.

I would pick Airelles, Cheval Blanc, Bulgari (Rome, Tokyo not London), Aman and the like over Peninsula, but when it comes to best quality to price ratio, I think Peninsula are on point.

Wonder if it's possible to stop by and check one of these places out and maybe have lunch. My brother has a house across the valley from Gourde and it could be fun to check the one there out.

Yes, all the hotels have restaurants that outsiders can eat in. However, they always hold tables for in-house guests so you'll need to book a table in advance or go when it's not too busy to be able to eat.

The Gordes location has a very well known restaurant that was featured in Emily in Paris and has great views and good food.

These hotels are very small generally (50 keys total in Courchevel for instance) compared to most resorts, and also super spacious.

They are family friendly yes, but as many of the kids are European, they tend to be a bit more well behaved than their American counterparts :))

It's mostly super well behaved families and couples. The only time I've been annoyed by other guests was when an older American couple (no kids!) were playing their music on their phone near the pool; some stern Euro-stares and they got the hint, eventually.

The Courchevel location is in a league of its own (Forbes 'most exclusive hotel in the world')

The other locations are very very nice, but the Courchevel location isn't topped by any other hotel on the planet.

Château de la Messardière is gorgeous and should be visited, but they have to get the transfer situation to/from the beach fixed. Waiting 10-15 minutes for a shuttle to/from the beach to arrive (when the drive itself is 5 minutes) only to have the van be too full and you have to wait for the next one is silly when you're spending north of $1,200/night. Charge an extra $30/night or whatever incremental cost is needed and keep a shuttle always on standby at the beach. Service at the beach club also feels very much as if you're bothering the staff if you need anything. Which, hey, it's hot and guests are annoying, but that's the job.

So true Mark, your children observations are spot on with regard to this class of European hotel.

PS - Slightly different topic, but I'd love for you to review some "luxury" family-friendly AI properties in Europe, like Ikos resorts. I know you're not a traditional AI fan, but some of these properties might really appeal to your family (and readers with a family!).

The answer to your question is Peninsula hotels.

Grand lobbies with presence (London not so much).
Anytime check in and check out.
Rolls royce fleet.
Multiple cuisines at most properties, done to a very high standard and authentic.
Room hardware and software not as high end as Airelles/Cheval Blanc/Oketer etc. but nicer than Four Seasons, Park Hyatt MO, same or lower price point for Peninsula. Always real silverware, good tablecloths, bed linens etc.
In house chocolatier.
Real silver trays, ice buckets etc.
Housekeeping with attention to detail.
Unique bath products.
Good linens.
Well dressed staff.

I would pick Airelles, Cheval Blanc, Bulgari (Rome, Tokyo not London), Aman and the like over Peninsula, but when it comes to best quality to price ratio, I think Peninsula are on point.

The Courchevel location is in a league of its own (Forbes 'most exclusive hotel in the world')

The other locations are very very nice, but the Courchevel location isn't topped by any other hotel on the planet.

These hotels are very small generally (50 keys total in Courchevel for instance) compared to most resorts, and also super spacious.

They are family friendly yes, but as many of the kids are European, they tend to be a bit more well behaved than their American counterparts :))

It's mostly super well behaved families and couples. The only time I've been annoyed by other guests was when an older American couple (no kids!) were playing their music on their phone near the pool; some stern Euro-stares and they got the hint, eventually.

Yes, all the hotels have restaurants that outsiders can eat in. However, they always hold tables for in-house guests so you'll need to book a table in advance or go when it's not too busy to be able to eat.

The Gordes location has a very well known restaurant that was featured in Emily in Paris and has great views and good food.