Heading up the sales and marketing of the Cognac region’s leading luxury property Hôtel Chais Monnet and Spa is Claire Plessier Bringardner. Passionate about educating guests on the famous heritage of the destination, Claire believes that the exceptional experiences her team offer their guests is the property’s standout luxury offering. Whether it’s a private tour of a local Cognac house, a cocktail masterclass on the rooftop, to less obvious experiences such as a visit to a nearby walnut farm which Claire and her team will be arranging for guests this autumn.
Having recently stayed and reviewed the hotel, I sat down with Claire to talk to her about how the British owned property unites its storied past with a contemporary style, to celebrate the heritage of Cognac for the luxury traveller.
The hotel is relatively new to the area. Can you tell us how it honours the heritage of the destination whilst embracing a strong contemporary style?
Few French industrial buildings of the size of Hôtel Chais Monnet date from the first half of the nineteenth century. Those of Chais Monnet date from 1838, and are consequently classed as ‘Patrimoine Industrielle de France’ (i.e. of significant cultural heritage). Classic in style, the property consists mainly of ‘revolutionary’ wine and spirit warehouses, exceptional for their design and structure. These include some warehouses with particular significance for the names they bear; Monnet, for instance, after Jean Monnet, Cognac maker with global renown and who forged his career at the heart of this place.
This significant transformation of an industrial building into a luxury hotel is a first in France. The starting point had to be the immense treasures to be found on site such as the large barrel cellar, Le Grand Chai des Foudres’, known as the ‘Cathedral’ with its remarkable roof structure, the tuns, also called ‘foudres’; with a capacity of 260 hecto-litres they have stood the test of time. And no less remarkable are the two spacious maturation warehouses of 1500 square meters, constructed like two cavernous halls.
The restoration of the industrial site required the renovation of the principal buildings, alongside careful integration of new building work. To accomplish this the architect, Didier Poignant, freed perspectives and opened the volume of space to unite the four warehouses via a glass structure which today forms the principal hotel reception area. The single contemporary building has its glass exterior overlaid with stunning twisted steel reminiscent of the tendrils of a vine. This houses the bedrooms, a conference room and the spa. The contemporary look represents the dynamism of this change in use whilst still evoking through crisp steel and glass, and the history of this place.
Tell us about the Michelin starred restaurant and the talent of the chef. How does the cuisine reflect the culture of Cognac?
Originally from Lyon, Mathis Debize, is passionate about the rich culinary traditions offered by every region in France. Within this building, resonant with history, he puts his creativity to work for the pleasure of food lovers as they dine beneath the roof of the Chais ‘cathedral’, which soars to nine metres at its highest point.
Constantly inspired by the wonderful local ingredients, the chef creates a cuisine that is fresh and uncomplicated. For at the heart of his cooking is his desire to showcase and celebrate the rich traditions and gastronomy on offer in this region of Charente. Formerly the sous-chef of Marc-Antoine Lepage and Paolo Boscaro, he took on his new role as head chef in July. Prior to this, he had worked alongside Alexandre Baumard in Gironde and at Maison Paul Bocuse. In 2015, he also took part in Olivier Couvin’s training for the Meilleur Ouvrier de France competition.
How does the hotel encourage guests to discover the region?
Caviar, truffles, vinegar and oysters make the regional specialities of Cognac rich and plentiful. Various local producers offer visits and tours during which they showcase their individual expertise and traditional methods. Our team is constantly in close contact with new local producers and tourism actors in the area, to provide the best experiences of the Charente region. This is one of our top priorities and has been a focus since our new executive team arrived in early 2023.
For example, an experience we are highlighting this Autumn, is a package with the Noyeraie des Borderies, a walnut farm ten minutes away where clients can learn everything about growing walnuts in organic farming and will discover the preparation of kernels and walnut oil. Our guests can then enjoy a menu incorporating walnuts and walnut oil from the neighbouring farm.
Which unique features set Hotel Chais Monnet apart from other luxury hotels in the area?
The hotel opened its doors in October 2018 with 92 bedrooms, including suites and 13 appartements, a Michelin starred gastronomic restaurant, a contemporary brasserie, a jazz bar, a roof top lounge and various reception rooms, plus a wellbeing area comprising a spa, a fitness room, jacuzzi, hammam and sauna.
Spread over the four buildings the bedrooms and suites are decorated in the epitome of classic chic French style. The mix of fine fabrics and natural materials guarantees exquisite and luxurious comfort. The hotel retains the charms of a historic building alongside the rich cultural heritage and modern aesthetic and is the only resort like hotel in the area that offers such a variety of amenities and food and beverage options right on property.
Can you tell us about the type of experience guests can expect from the rooms and suites?
The range of suites at Hotel Chais Monnet and Spa offers guests an opportunity for an exceptional visit in a unique and priceless setting; every detail exudes peace and tranquillity and luxurious French Style. Furnished with a private sitting room in addition to a dressing room, these suites facilitate the hosting of private guests or the holding of meetings with ease and discretion.
How can guests incorporate wellness into their stay?
Tucked in the heart of the hotel, the spa is the perfect call to relaxation and wellbeing, with its pool indoor and out, fitness room, sauna, hammam, jacuzzi, and for treatment there is something for everyone. We also offer bikes for guests to use and ride around town or the surrounding vineyards, yoga mats for guests to practice yoga in their rooms or in our gardens. Healthy dining choices with nutritious and balanced meals can also be provided by our culinary team.
The concept of luxury varies. What does it mean to Hotel Chais Monnet, and how do you embody it for your guests?
When we think of luxury, it is often associated with quality, comfort, exclusivity, exceptional service, attention to detail, and fine-dining; but when I think of luxury, I think of knowledge, education, history and access to local experience. When I think of Chais Monnet, I actually like to think of our location and the region of Cognac, not only renowned for its association of the world-famous Cognac brandy, but also for its beautiful vineyard landscapes and ideal location in south west France.
Cognac is also only one hour away from the Ocean and 1.5 hours from the city of Bordeaux. The unique variety of experiences we recommend and offer to each of our guests cannot be replicated elsewhere. For example, the hotel is walking distance to all the major cognac distilleries like Hennessy and Martell.
Our concierge team can also put together an agenda of various local activities, like a private VIP tour of Louis XII at Remy Martin or an exclusive tour of a family owed distillery, which will show the exact craftmanship that has been passed down for generations. You will meet the father and his son, showing you how they have learned to distil the spirit and all the passion and heritage that goes into the making of Cognac. In the afternoon, we can offer a private boat ride along the Charente River, where guests can enjoy scenic boat tours with a lunch or dinner made by a chef with all local ingredients.
Sustainability is imperative for many guests. How does Hotel Chais Monnet integrate environmental initiatives?
In the restaurants and event spaces, only glass bottles are used to avoid using plastic bottles. We reduce our water consumption by encouraging guests to change their towels and bed sheets only upon request. Houses for insects, bats and owl nest can be found onsite and were specifically put in place to protect our wildlife, as well as specific flowers and plants that were selected by our landscapers to encourage biodiversity.
Factbox
Address: 50 Av. Paul Firino Martell, 16100 Cognac, France
Phone: +33 5 17 22 3223
Website: chaismonnethotel.com
