10 Hotels for the Perfect Weekend Rendez-Vous

By Teddy Minford

What makes a great hotel stay? An ultra-comfortable bed, a beautifully designed room (preferably with a view!), gracious hospitality, and–last but not least–a great restaurant and bar.

TFM_10 Hotels for the Perfect Weekend Rendez-Vous

France is home to some of the world’s greatest hotels with excellent dining, from glittering Riviera resorts to hip Parisian hideaways and rustic country farmhouses. But if you’re looking for a French-inspired weekend getaway that’s closer to home, you can find French-inspired hotels in the United States that offer dreamy destinations for Francophiles.
From chic French-owned hotels to hotels with French restaurants and design, these are the perfect places to escape for a weekend in France–without leaving the country. 

L’Auberge du Soleil 
Napa, California 

For those dreaming of a trip to Provence, a visit to Napa might be the perfect weekend escape. Home to some of the country’s–and possibly the world’s–finest wineries, Napa is a destination for wine lovers and L’Auberge du Soleil is no exception. The beautiful setting amidst rolling hills dotted with vineyards and wineries is the perfect place to indulge in French food and drinks. Sample local wine or choose a carefully curated French bottle from the 15,000-bottle cellar while you dine on sweetbread roulade, prime beef pavé, or an artisan cheese platter at the hotel’s restaurant. 
www.aubergeresorts.com/aubergedusoleil 

© ©https://aubergeresorts.com

Sofitel Chicago 
Chicago, Illinois 

In Chicago, sophisticated European glamor meets down-to-earth friendly service at the French-owned Sofitel, a sophisticated urban resort in the heart of the Gold Coast Historic District. The cozy and comfortable rooms are bright and clean, while the hotel’s three bars and restaurants offer guests a taste of France. At CDA, French cuisine comes alive for brunch with dishes like a brie and mushroom omelet or steak frites. Once each month, the hotel hosts a French wine dinner, where executive chef Cliff Crawford takes guests on a gastronomic journey to France with a four-course meal and wine pairing.  
www.sofitel-chicago.com 

© ©https://www.sofitel-chicago.com/

The Point  
Saranac Lake, New York 

The first Relais & Chateaux property in the United States is a dreamy and secluded escape in the Adirondacks, where luxurious cottages, fine dining, and jaw-dropping natural scenery combine to bring you an unforgettable experience. The former retreat of the Rockefeller family is a historic property that exudes elegance and style, where executive chef Loic Leperlier–born on the French island of Réunion and trained at the 3-Michelin-Starred Lucas Carton in Paris–creates ingenious meals that combine the very best of French cooking with local and seasonal ingredients. Don’t miss the resort’s champagne and canape cruise around the lake, or have the hotel put together a charcuterie board for a romantic picnic.  
www.thepointresort.com 

© ©https://thepointresort.com/

Kimpton Banneker 
Washington, D.C.  

The sophisticated Kimpton Banneker, located near Washington, D.C.’s Dupont Circle, is a sleek and minimalist urban escape. Decorated with Midcentury furniture and abstract art, the hotel feels luxurious and timeless. The indoor/outdoor rooftop bar, Lady Bird, offers incredible views of the city, including the White House, and is the perfect place to sip champagne as you snack on light bites like a charcuterie board made with tommé, paté, and cornichons. Downstairs, Le Sel is one of the best French restaurants in the city, serving classics like escargots, French onion soup, and steak tartare in an understated yet elegant dining room. 
www.thebanneker.com 

© ©https://www.thebanneker.com/

Chateau Marmont 
Los Angeles, California 

LA’s Chateau Marmont is a celebrity hotspot, a place to see and be seen for Hollywood’s A-list. The beautiful rooms embody old-school glamor, while the cozy bar and lounge is perfect for an aperitif. The outdoor patio is the best place to enjoy LA’s year-round good weather while you dine on French dishes like bouillabaisse, steak frites, cauliflower gratin, or a charcuterie board–all while keeping your eyes peeled for celebrities.   
www.chateaumarmont.com 

 

© ©http://www.chateaumarmont.com/

Oheka Castle 
Huntington, New York 

Get transported to the chateaux of the Loire Valley with a visit to Oheka Castle, a stunning historic hotel on Long Island. Originally built as a private residence by Otto Hermann Khan in 1919, the castle is the second-largest private home in the United States. After falling into disrepair, the castle was restored in the 1980s and converted into a hotel where guests can stay in elegant rooms and visit Ohk Bar & Restaurant, to dine on French-inspired preparations like salade niçoise or filet mignon before strolling through the property’s formal gardens, said to be inspired by Versailles.  
www.oheka.com 

© ©https://www.oheka.com/

Maison de la Luz 
New Orleans, Louisiana 

In the most Francophone city in the United States, there are plenty of French-inspired stays to choose from, including name-brand resorts and historic mansions. But Maison de la Luz is one of the coolest hotels in the city, creating an ambiance straight out of Paris’s hip Marais. At the Guest House Restaurant, guests can dine on omelets and pastries for breakfast, while the guest-only Living Room is a cozy bar for afternoon tea, cocktails, or a private dinner. Next door at Bar Marilou, guests have a private entrance into the French-inspired bar and restaurant, where you can dine on frogs’ legs or mussels while sipping on craft cocktails or French wines.  
www.maisondelaluz.com 

© ©https://maisondelaluz.com/

The Chanler at CliffWalk 
Newport, Rhode Island 

This over-the-top hotel was once a private vacation home for the Astor family, who originally built the Gilded Age mansion in 1873. In 2003, after an extensive three-year renovation, the property was opened as a hotel with 20 individually-decorated guest rooms sumptuously appointed with antique furniture, brocade fabrics, and gilded finishings. Cara, the onsite restaurant, exudes French elegance with a multi-course tasting menu inspired by European recipes and New England ingredients. The more casual cafe offers visitors a selection of French wines alongside dishes like chilled lobster salad, a brioche burger, oysters, and caviar. It’s old-school luxury at its finest.  
www.thechanler.com 

© ©https://www.thechanler.com/

Korakia Pensione 
Palm Springs, California 

Marrakech meets Provence at this French-inspired oasis in Palm Springs. Choose from a handful of airy rooms or book an entire villa at this dreamy hotel that feels like a movie set. After a Mediterranean-inspired breakfast, guests can spend their days relaxing at the courtyard pool, visit the chic on-site boutique, or opt for a spa treatment at the indoor/outdoor spa lodge. Yoga classes, afternoon Moroccan tea, and nightly movies on an outdoor projector create an indulgent and romantic atmosphere at this Mediterranean retreat in the desert.  
www.korakia.com 

© ©https://www.korakia.com/

The Marlton Hotel  
New York City, New York 

Greenwich Village’s Marlton Hotel is a slice of Paris in New York City, offering sumptuous rooms, timeless elegance, and an undeniable cool. Margaux, the French restaurant on the ground floor, is a hot spot for both locals and visitors, serving fresh and seasonal Mediterranean fare for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Settle into one of the red leather booths straight out of a Parisian brasserie or cozy up to the marble-topped bar, where you can watch mixologists whip up espresso martinis for some of the city’s most stylish inhabitants.  
www.marltonhotel.com 

 

© ©https://marltonhotel.com/

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