CHAMPAGNE COLLERY

We need to pour some water in the champagne...

We had booked 2 rooms in the "Collery" on our Bentley car Rallye.

The lowest Rating of 5 hotels during 1 week in England and France.

An outwardly nice house, a bit hidden in Ay, but unfortunately a miserable "one girl" service.

At check-in at around 7.30 p.m. (for which we were immediately charged additional fees) we were also required to pay in advance and an additional deposit per room.

Do thieves or hooligans spend the night here more often?

As frequent travellers, we have never experienced an additional separate security deposit per room, not even in luxury hotels such as the Ritz, Byblos or Hotel de Paris.

The girl at reception - by the way the only person in the hotel - also seemed a bit overwhelmed. Probably a waitress or temporary help, at least with no experience in the hotel industry. Behavior varied from awkward to intrusive.

We would have liked to try the house champagne upon arrival. It was then told, only succinctly, there was a bottle in the room … as if this bottle was offered by the house. There was a bottle in the room, but it was more expensive and to be charged as well.

In arrival at a champagne house - supposedly from 1893 - you might even expect a free glass of champagne as a welcome. At least that's how we know it...

The hotel also kindly booked us a restaurant. Caution: 50% of the restaurants around Epernay are now closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. The recommendation turned out to be a "pizzeria"! We recognized this and were able to rearrange. Pizza in Champagne…?!

The rooms are clean and stylish. However, one feels uncomfortable here, rather in a museum or in prison. Like a guest unwelcome.

There are at least 3 prohibition signs in the room. Photos on request. For example: warning to towel thieves, regulations on the use of make-up remover, regulations on the use of the curtains.

Incidentally, milk, laundry soap and shoehorns were missing in our rooms. Hopefully no one stole this before us...

After we had to pay a deposit before handing over the room key, we would have liked to have received confirmation when we left next morning at 9.30 a.m. (one night!) that we had neither rioted nor stolen and left the room as we found it the arrival 14 hours before.

However, this could only be obtained after a "room walkthrough" together with the staff.

It should only be mentioned by the way, that we lost our desire for a champagne from the house of Collery very early on.

Thank God there are enough TOP champagne houses in the 16 Grand Cru communities outside of Ay. These even at better prices and - in contrast to Collery - the friendliest reception by the hosts.

Conclusion:

Clean house with all the rest in enormous contrast to it.

Presumably the establishment or the staff has little experience in the hospitality.

It seems as if the tasting room and the property have only recently been extensively renovated and now "unfortunately" have to rent out rooms to amortize ... !?

In any case, we felt as a disturbing, uninvited guest.

In 40 years "en voyage" we have not experienced anything so strangely unpleasant.

Attention to individual travellers:

Check out:
U n t i l 10 h !!

Check in:
only between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. !!

Seriously good Champagne. Magnificent accommodation in Ay

Very enjoyable tasting in a very nice property. The first time trying this champagne and it is delicious.

Ein sehr freundliches Haus! Hervorragende Verkostung, man bekommt viel Hintergrundwissen vermittelt und fühlt sich dabei wie bei alten Freunden zu Hause. Uneingeschränkte Empfehlung!

Amazing everything, perfect place, comfortable , charm, the Team give me total attention and make easier directions and point to visit in Champagne. Special beautiful Solene, congratulations. I nerver forget you! Thanks. I really return soon. Top Top exclusive the Place and Solene!