A quintessentially beautiful Ile-de-France country retreat surrounded by forest, this hotel, run by Philippe Cazaudehore, is St-Germain's most stylish. The rambling house itself is a solid, shuttered-window affair with 18th-century-style furniture. The fine restaurant, the Cazaudehore (closed Monday, no dinner on Sunday from November to February), sees chef Grégory Balland major in sole with mushroom risotto, steamed turbot and beef tartare with oysters, and hare stuffed with olives and foie gras. Dining on the garden veranda on such delights as Balland's melt-in-the-mouth foie gras with gingerbread can prove a most seductive experience. Pros: cozy, classy hotel; good restaurant. Cons: service can be indifferent; rooms lack air-conditioning.
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