Chateau de Bagnols, near Lyon, has won the Best Service in a Hotel in Europe prize at the prestigious Villegiature Award ceremony…
Chateau de Bagnols, near Lyon, has won the Best Service in a Hotel in Europe prize at the prestigious Villegiature Award ceremony that was held in Paris last night .
The stunning 13th-century Chateau, which is owned by Lady Hamlyn and managed by Rocco Forte Hotels, prides itself on its service, with more than 50 staff looking after just 21 suites.
Franco Mora, General Manager of Chateau de Bagnols, knows all about service, having spent many years working at some of the best hotels in London and Paris. He said, “The Chateau is a very special property and I am delighted to receive this award on behalf of an exceptional team that is dedicated to ensuring each and every guest has the experience of a lifetime.”
Excellent service is something of a mantra at Rocco Forte Hotels. For while all the hotels in the collection are individual in nature, they are linked by the same attention to detail, with staff who are dedicated to delivering the highest levels of personalised service.
Chateau de Bagnols was also among the five nominees in the Best Hotel Interior Design in Europe category, which is perhaps not surprising given the time and passion that Lady Hamlyn dedicated to restoring the property to its former glory.
In 1987, Lady Hamlyn discovered Chateau de Bagnols in a sad state of repair. Five years later, having employed more than 400 specialist builders and craftsmen, the Chateau – with its antique furniture, ancient tapestry wall hangings and original frescoes – opened as one of the most beautiful and unique luxury hotels in Europe.
Hundreds of items were designed and specially commissioned to complement the antique furnishings, all of them created by manufacturers regarded as the best in their field. Eighteenth-century-inspired glass was hand-blown in Alsace, the table linens came from Northern Ireland and the silk furnishings were made by the long-established Prelle in Lyon. In addition, unique wall paintings dating to the 16th century were uncovered and restored, making it the only Chateau in France to have this style of decoration.
Each of the 21 suites has been individually decorated, reflecting the history and heritage of the Chateau while ensuring maximum comfort for guests, and each is named after a past owner. The same attention has been lavished on the bathrooms, some of which have romantic free-standing baths and have been magically created from the castle’s turrets.
The inaugural Villegiature Awards were held in 2003, with a view to rewarding both the best hotels in Europe, as well as the best publications dedicated to promoting these hotels. The Awards’ jury is composed of 20 top journalists and hotel managers, who work throughout Europe. Last year, they handed Rocco Forte Hotels’ Hotel de Russie in Rome the prize for Best Hotel in Europe.
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