Reims Getaway: Unforgettable Stay at Clos Pommier Gite!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because I'm about to spill the tea (and maybe a little red wine) on my recent stay at Reims Getaway: Unforgettable Stay at Clos Pommier Gite! Prepare yourselves for a review less about polished perfection and more about the glorious, messy, utterly human experience of a holiday. Think less travel brochure, more "I survived a weekend in Champagne with my sanity (mostly) intact."
First Impressions: Accessibility, Arrival, and the Oh-So-Important Internet
Let's get the nitty-gritty out of the way. Accessibility? Well, I’ll be frank, I didn’t need the full suite of accessibility features, but I did take a quick peek, because you know, the future is now! While I didn't require a wheelchair, the information available seemed to indicate a thoughtful approach, but you’d definitely want to call ahead and specifically ask about your needs. I'm talking proper intel, not just a brochure. They do mention Facilities for disabled guests, but details are key. My advice? Don't be shy, phone them!
Check-in/out [express]? Check. Though, I'm a sucker for a proper, sit-down chat, you know, with a welcome drink and a rundown of the local gossip. Check-in/out [private], that's always a nice touch. Maybe they can whip up some fresh croissants at the time, you know, to make it even better.
Internet. Oh, the Internet! The lifeblood of the modern traveler. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! THANK GOD. Honestly, without that, this whole trip would have been a disa-stah. Internet access – wireless? Yep. Internet access – LAN? Also, yep. (Though, who really uses LAN anymore? Grandma, is that you?) Wi-Fi in public areas, also present. Overall, internet access was thankfully reliable. I needed to upload a ridiculous amount of photos of champagne flutes (research, people! Research!), and the connection held up.
The Room: My Little Champagne Sanctuary (and its Tiny Quirks)
Alright, let's talk about the real reason we're here: the room. First off, Non-smoking rooms - absolutely essential. Smoke detectors and Smoke alarms? Good! I like not dying in my sleep. Air conditioning - bless the gods of air conditioning. It was HOT out there. Air conditioning in public area? Double bless!
My room had Additional toilet which was a massive bonus. Blackout curtains (hallelujah!), Linens that felt like they belonged in a fairytale, Bathrobes, and Slippers. (Yes! Luxury!) Coffee/tea maker - a necessity. Free bottled water - because hydration is key, especially after a bottle of champagne.
Now, for the imperfections… because life is messy, remember? The Mirror was a bit too small for my liking. I like to admire myself (who doesn’t?). And listen, my room had a Window that opens, which is great for fresh air, but it faced a bit of a nondescript courtyard. A balcony would've been the cherry on top…but hey.
The Bathroom: Showers, Scales, and the Quest for Relaxation
The Private bathroom, naturally. Separate shower/bathtub - luxury! I love a good soak. The water pressure was excellent, which is a crucial detail, and the Toiletries were actually decent quality. The Scale was, well, a reminder that I was on vacation. (Insert nervous laughter).
Unforgettable Experience? The Spa.
THIS. This is where Reims Getaway really won me over. I decided to go all-in. I felt like I had to. I mean, it's there, right? No regrets!
Body scrub, Body wrap, Foot bath, Massage, Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom. Holy moly. I went in a stressed-out human and emerged a slightly-less-stressed, incredibly relaxed human. The Pool with view was the perfect spot to end the day. The Swimming pool [outdoor] was just beautiful.
Here’s the thing, I’m not usually a spa person. I find it all a bit…precious. But this? This was transformative. The masseuse clearly knew what they were doing, and I swear, I could feel the champagne bubbles leaving my body (or maybe that was just wishful thinking). I'm telling ya, if you do nothing else, book the spa. Seriously. Just do it. You deserve it. And it's so worth it, I almost fell asleep during the massage.
Eating and Drinking: Champagne, Croissants, and the Occasional Snack.
Dining, drinking, and snacking: Let's face it, I was there to eat and drink. Breakfast [buffet], Buffet in restaurant - I love a buffet! The Breakfast service was excellent. Asian breakfast, Western breakfast. It wasn't just about the croissants (though those were divine!). The options were amazing. I might have eaten my weight in pastries one morning. No regrets.
There's a Coffee/tea in restaurant and Coffee shop - perfect for a quick pick-me-up. and Restaurant. The A la carte in restaurant, Happy hour. The food was generally good, though I'd recommend venturing out to some of the local bistros as well, because, you know, exploring! The Poolside bar was perfect for a pre-dinner cocktail. The Bar.
Cleanliness, Safety, and the Covid-era Adjustments
Let’s cover the practical stuff because, well, stuff is happening. Anti-viral cleaning products. Daily disinfection in common areas. Hand sanitizer everywhere. Physical distancing of at least 1 meter. Staff trained in safety protocol. All reassuring. Rooms sanitized between stays.
I noticed they had Cashless payment service available, which is super convenient. They also provided Sanitized kitchen and tableware items.
The extras: Doctor/nurse on call, First aid kit, Safe dining setup - all comforting touches. They're taking things seriously, which is what you want.
Services and Conveniences: More Than Just a Room
Concierge? Helpful. Daily housekeeping? Yes, please. Dry cleaning and Laundry service - essential if you're me and tend to spill things on yourself, because Champagne. Luggage storage? Definitely useful. Elevator? Thank the heavens.
Things to Do (Besides Drinking Champagne):
Besides the obvious (drinking champagne! Visiting champagne houses!), there are some seriously cool things to do nearby. Shrine for a spiritual touch. Kids facilities, I didn't pay attention but I saw people with their kids so I guess is ok. Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, perhaps even a Seminar (if you absolutely must work).
For the Kids (and those Young at Heart):
Babysitting service is a big plus for busy parents.
Getting Around:
Airport transfer available. Taxi service. Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Valet parking - all good options.
Overall Impression: Worth it? Absolutely.
Would I go back? In a heartbeat. Despite the minor quirks, Reims Getaway delivered on its promise of an unforgettable stay. It’s not a pristine, perfect hotel. It’s real. It’s a place where you can relax, indulge, and embrace the glorious chaos of a well-deserved vacation. The spa alone is worth the price of admission.
My Personal Recommendation
The Offer: Book a stay in the next 3 months for at least 3 days and get a complimentary bottle of local champagne (delivered to your room upon arrival!) and a discount of 10% on all spa treatments. Seriously, do it for the spa alone.
Why? Because life is short, and you deserve a little luxury, a little relaxation, and (let's be honest) a whole lot of champagne. Reims Getaway will provide the setting. All you need to do is show up and let the stress melt away. Now go book it! You won’t regret it.
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Reims, Champagne & Chaos: A Mostly Wonderful Itinerary (Gite du Clos Pommier Edition)
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because this isn't your typical travel guide. This is a raw, unfiltered, and probably slightly wine-stained chronicle of my "vacation" in Reims, France, based out of the charming (and sometimes slightly quirky) Gite du Clos Pommier. Expect a rollercoaster of emotions, questionable decisions, and enough champagne to float a small boat. Let's dive in, shall we?
Day 1: Arrival & The Great Baguette Debacle
Morning (Or, More Accurately, Mid-Afternoon): Landed at Charles de Gaulle, survived the airport "experience" (which mostly involved navigating a maze of duty-free perfume and aggressively chatty taxi drivers), and finally, FINALLY, made it to the Gite. The Clos Pommier is absolutely adorable, if you ignore the slightly wonky gate that seems to have a personal vendetta against being opened. Found the key (hidden in the most obvious place, of course - I swear, I'm Sherlock Holmes in disguise).
- Quirky Observation: The gite smells faintly of lavender and…something else I can't quite place. Maybe it's the ghost of a previous visitor who really, REALLY loved potpourri? Investigating…
Afternoon: Grocery shopping. This is where things started to go south. My French is, shall we say, rusty. I somehow managed to order a baguette…and another baguette…and another baguette. Apparently, "Un baguette, s'il vous plaît" translates to "Give this idiot all the bread." Now I have enough carbs to feed a small army.
- Anecdote: Tried to buy cheese. Pointed at something that looked vaguely edible. The shopkeeper, a lady with eyes that could curdle milk, gave me a look that said, "You, madam, are a culinary disaster." Ended up with something that tasted like feet. Lesson learned: cheese is a serious business in France.
Evening: Stumbled back to the gite, baguette arsenal in tow. Crushed the first baguette (delicious!). Drank some cheap but surprisingly palatable rosé. Wandered around the charming little village. Watched the sunset. Decided this whole "vacation" thing might actually be good.
- Emotional Reaction: Pure, unadulterated bliss. Despite the baguette situation and the smelly cheese, I was here. France. Alone. With copious amounts of carbs. Life was good.
Day 2: Champagne Dreams & Cathedral Screams (Mostly in Awe)
Morning: Finally got my act together and booked a champagne tour! This was the reason I came. Champagne, baby! Picked a small, family-run house called "Ruinart" (supposedly, it's famous) and was immediately blown away. The history, the process, the bubbly… it was practically spiritual.
- Double-down Experience: Okay, I'm dedicating a whole section to this. The Ruinart tour was insane. We went underground, into these chalk cellars carved 35 meters below the earth, and it's a labyrinth. Like, the most impressive maze of tunnels imaginable, with millions of bottles of champagne aging in the dark and their secret. And the stuff? Delicious. The guide talked about terroir, bubbles, and the perfect balance. And I could not stop tasting every possible flavor.
Afternoon: The Reims Cathedral (Notre-Dame de Reims). Oh. My. God. This isn't just a building; it's a statement. The stained glass, the scale, the sheer history that oozes from its walls… I spent a solid hour just wandering around slack-jawed.
- Emotional Reaction: Overwhelmed. Humble. In awe. Honestly, I felt tears prickling my eyes. It's just… breathtaking. Forget Louvre: this place is the beauty of France.
Evening: More champagne (duh). Found a lovely little bistro, ate steak frites, and tried to impress the waiter with my, by now, slightly improved French. Failed miserably. Still, the food and champagne made up for it.
- Imperfection Alert: Maybe drank a little too much. Managed to spill red wine down my pristine white shirt. Classic.
Day 3: The Battle of the Aisne & A Day for the Soul
Morning: A somber and reflective day. Visited the Battles of the Aisne, a WWI museum and battlefield. It's a heavy experience, but incredibly important. To walk in the fields where so many lives were lost is just too much to capture in words.
- Emotional Reaction: A deep sense of gratitude. Gratitude for the generations who fought for peace. Sadness for the loss of life. And a stark reminder of the fragility of, well, everything.
Afternoon: Needed to get away from the heavy stuff, so I went to a spa. Found a tiny, family-run spa.
- Quirky Observation: The steam room smelled of eucalyptus, the massage therapist had strong but kind hands, and the whole experience soothed my soul.
Evening: Back at the gite. Made dinner (pasta - simple, reliable, and not involving any potentially offensive cheese). Read a book. Early night. Needed to recharge.
- Rambling Moment: I feel the most at peace when I look up at the sky. The world is a vast and beautiful place. And sometimes, all you need is a little bit of quiet and an open heart.
Day 4: The Road Less Traveled (aka, Getting Lost…Again)
Morning: Decided to be adventurous and explore a smaller town. Got completely, utterly lost. GPS signal failed. Ended up driving in circles for a good hour, cursing my lack of navigation skills and questioning all my life choices.
- Opinionated Language: French road signs are the devil's work. Confusing! Inevitable! Insane!
Afternoon: Finally found a charming little village. Had a coffee at a local café. Met a friendly dog. Bought a ridiculously oversized scarf. All the chaos of the morning was immediately forgotten.
- Anecdote: The dog was called "Marcel" and he loved a good belly rub. I think he might have forgiven me for getting lost.
Evening: Back at the gite, feeling content. Found a hidden stash of local chocolates (bonus!).
- Imperfection Alert: Accidentally locked myself out of the gite. Spent 15 minutes trying to pick the lock with a hairpin and a butter knife. (Success! I am secretly a spy!)
Day 5: Departure & The "Au Revoir" Blues
Morning: Packed. Did some last-minute souvenir shopping (more cheese…wish me luck). Sat in the garden of the gite and soaked up the last bit of French sunshine.
- Emotional Reaction: Sad. Really, really sad. I didn’t want to leave. Well, I’m exhausted but, at the same time, I’m also really sad!
Afternoon: Headed back to Charles de Gaulle. Said goodbye to the baguette-filled chaos and the champagne-fueled dreams.
- Quirky final thought: I'll be back. France, you magnificent, slightly-wonky, cheese-laden, champagne-loving place, I'll be back. And next time, I'm bringing a better map.
This isn't just an itinerary; it's a testament to the fact that travel, at its best, is messy, imperfect, and wonderfully human. So go forth, embrace the chaos, and always, ALWAYS, order the champagne. Bon voyage!
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Reims Getaway: Clos Pommier Gite - Ask Me Anything (Seriously, I've Been There!)
Okay, so the Clos Pommier Gite… is it *actually* as charming as the photos? Because, let's be honest, Instagram lies.
Alright, truth bomb incoming: Yes, and no. The photos? Gorgeous. The gite *itself*? Equally gorgeous, *but* with a layer of… lived-in history. Like, you could practically smell the champaign corks and the ghosts of past Christmas dinners. I swear, one of the antique chairs squeaked every time I sat down, like it was judging my cookie consumption. The photos don't capture the slightly crooked door frame that clearly endured one too many celebratory slams. But honestly? That added to the charm. It felt real. Less sterile, more… French. And the garden? Oh god, the garden. Even more stunning than advertised. I spent a whole afternoon just staring at the roses, feeling utterly, blissfully useless. Worth it.
The Champagne – tell me about the Champagne experience. Because that's *why* we're going, right?
Champagne. Ah, yes. This is where I can truly shine. Look, Clos Pommier is perfectly situated. You're practically tripping over vineyards. We booked a tour (highly recommend, even if you're a total wine novice like I am). The tour guide, a woman named Isabelle with a fabulous scarf and a twinkle in her eye, explained the whole process with such passion. I think I understood… maybe 20% of it. But the part about actually *drinking* the champagne? Completely understood! We ended up buying a case of something called, I think it was called ‘Brut Reserve.’ It wasn’t cheap, okay? But every single sip was like a little explosion of joy. We drank it on the patio, overlooking the vines, while the sun set. Literally perfect. Side note: Pace yourself! Champagne is sneaky! We may have, ahem, overindulged one night. Woke up with a head that reminded me of my student loans. Lesson learned, maybe. Don't regret it though.
What about the kitchen? I like to cook, but I don't want a tiny, dingy disaster zone.
The kitchen… okay, it’s not a Michelin-star chef's dream, but it’s definitely functional. It’s got everything you need for basic cooking. Honestly, I spent most of my time there attempting to make decent coffee. The espresso machine was temperamental. One morning, it practically spit at me! I also attempted to cook a quiche, which was ambitious, considering my general culinary skills. (Let's just say the oven door didn’t shut properly, and the result was… rustic.) It's definitely a more ‘charm over functionality’ situation, but that's kinda the point, isn't it? Embrace the imperfections. Maybe skip the elaborate meals and stick to cheese, bread, and… more champagne. Seriously, you’re in France, you can get away with that. And the view from the window, overlooking the garden while you clumsily chop vegetables? Pretty damn good.
Is it family-friendly? We’re bringing… a toddler. Wish us luck.
Toddlers! Godspeed, my friend. Look, Clos Pommier IS generally family-friendly. I didn’t travel with any small humans, but I did see a family there. There’s plenty of space for little ones to run around in the garden. The gite itself seems pretty safe for kids. However… and this is a big however… the stairs are steep and wooden. Definitely bring a baby gate! And the antiques? Keep a close eye on those little grabby hands. Also, the champagne glasses are delicate. (Speaking from observation, not experience… mostly.) It's less about the Gite and More about YOUR ability to corral a toddler. Which is, honestly, a separate adventure entirely. Just pack a lot of wine. For YOU. (Just kidding… mostly.)
How’s the Wi-Fi? Gotta stay connected, even on vacation, right? (Ugh.)
The Wi-Fi... alright, let's be honest. It's… intermittent. Sometimes blazing fast, sometimes… non-existent. It's Europe, after all, and old houses often have thick walls. Honestly, it's actually a blessing in disguise. Forced me to disconnect. Read books. Stare at the roses. Actually talk to the people I was with (imagine that!). There were times the connection was perfect, other times I had to wander to a certain corner of the living room to get a signal. It was a bit of a gamble. Embrace it. Use it as an excuse to… read a book. Or, you know, try to learn a bit of French. Or just go outside. Seriously, there’s a whole *world* out there! But yes, it is there, sometimes. So you *could* check your emails. I did. But try not to.
Anything you *didn't* love? Be honest!
Okay, fine. One tiny grip: the bed. It was… a little on the firm side. And by "firm," I mean, I think it was made of solid wood. Or maybe it was just my aching back after a long day of champagne consumption. I actually thought I was going to wake up on the floor one morning. But honestly? It’s a small price to pay for the overall experience. Also, be warned: the road leading up to the gite is… well, French. Narrow. Potentially muddy. A bit nerve-wracking if you're not used to driving on tiny roads. Other than that… minor quibbles. I walked away with a heart full of joy and a slightly sore back. Worth it!
Would you go back?
Absolutely. In a heartbeat. I'm already planning my return trip. I'm picturing myself, sitting in that garden, sipping champagne (this time, with a slightly softer mattress), watching the sun set over the vineyards. Pure bliss. Seriously, book it. Now. Before I snatch your spot.
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