Judy

We've stayed at Domain des Haut de Loire and Les Crayeres.....both wonderful properties!! We enjoyed Les Crayeres more simply for the restaurant experience, which we thought was better than Domaine des Haut de Loire. In the Normandy area we liked Chateau Richeux in Concale....I think the website used to be Les Maisons de Bricourt.

Have a wonderful trip.

RM67

Plaza Athenee would be my choice.

copain1

George V... Especially if you are a lobby lizard. Fabulous. If you don't stay there, at least go in to look at the floral arrangements.

nytraveler

And the OP hasn;t come back to tell us what she really means. Not very polite.

mnss

Perhaps she didn't appreciate all the lecturing she got on how to spend her own money?

Though I do agree with Ira and a couple other posters...

Weadles

An exceptional place that I really love, and one that's quite a good value for the money is VILLA GALLICI in Aix-en-Provence. The only problem is that it's been "discovered" by many of the travel magazines, so you really have to plan way in advance to book it.

Weadles

Just realized you're not headed to Provence. Maybe next time?

mcnyc

I'd continue my splurge and stay at the St. James & Albany in the 1st Arrondisement.

That is, unless I found a place just as charming, but for less. I'm assuming my desire to get the most for my money won't wane, which probably makes me a poor choice to participate in this game.

ann_budci

Hi everybody,

I apologize for not responding earlier. Work has been crazy all week and haven't been able to do any trip planning. Thanks to everybody who responded. I'll be checking out all of the suggestions this weekend. To be a little more clear about money being "no object", we are willing to spend $500 or $600 a night on a room. I just started a new job at an online travel company, so I now have an IATA card. I'll get a pretty good discount at most hotels, hence the goal of finding the most luxurious hotels possible. We typically stay in more budget-focused hotels when we travel. However, since this may be our last big trip for awhile we want to splurge.

And for those who are worried about my finances - Don't worry about me. I've got zero credit card debit, school loans paid off, invest a large portion of my paycheck each week, and have a nice Boxster in my garage. I'm just looking for advice from those who've been there. You guys have never lead me astray so I value your input.

kerouac

I went through my fabulous hotel discount splurge and then I got bored with it, because I really didn't like the kind of people who went to those hotels.

StCirq

Do you want to stay IN Bordeaux, or in the countryside near Bordeaux. That's probably the only place I could recommend a luxury hotel, and not because I've stayed at one but because I've planned trips for people who have.

StCirq

Forgot to actually name the hotels:

IN Bordeaux: Hôgtel Burdigala Bordeaux

NEAR Bordeaux: Château de Mirambeau.

But as you'll see, even these luxury hotels aren't charging as much as you've budgeted. I'm not sure there's a hotel anywhere near Bordeaux where you'd have to spent $500-$600 a night.

Oh, and check out also Les Sources de Caudalie near Bordeaux. It's a luxury spa hotel.

Slot

HI Ann
I can reccommend www.ritz-resorts.com very much. You would be staying at the castle Hattonchatel Chateau. They are only 200€ to 400€ a night and that is very good value for money.
The knightshall "la Salle de Bulgraves" is something very special.

Kind Regards
Slot

Stef_DNA

I would go to the Splendid Etoile Hotel : they have Junior Suite with a view on the Arc de Triomphe
Watch that video : http://www.myvideoplanet.com/hotels/...plendid-etoile

swagman

In Paris, stay at George V, the best by far, now run by the Four Seasons franchise. Rooms are spacious and pure luxury.

Don't bother with The Ritz, rooms are small and dated.

Not sure about Bordeaux, but in nearby St Emilion, stay at L'Hostellerie de Plaisance and make sure you have dinner at the hotel restaurant, pure indulgence and impeccable service.

Enjoy and start writing cheques!!

s

suze

I've always wanted to stay at one of the hotels on the 'island'. They are not the most expensive in all of Paris, but that location and neighborhood looks so incredible to me.

ann_budci

Thank you so much to all of your suggestions!!! So far we have booked:

- George V in Paris(I am a sucker for the 4 Seasons)
- Chateau de Colombieres in Normandy (My husband loves that it has a real moat)
- Domain des Haut de Loire in Loire Valley

We've also changed our mind and want to stay in Burgundy instead of Bordeaux. Any hotel suggestions in Dijon or surrounding areas? Also, we want to spend our last night by Versailles. Our flight leaves late in the afternoon so we're hoping that we can see most of Versailles the day before or day that we leave instead of making a day trip from Paris. Any hotel suggestions in that area?

Thanks again for all of your help!

Slot

Swagman wrote that the rooms were small at the Ritz.
www.Ritz-resorts.com has nothing to do with the other one. And I can guarantee you that the suites are huge enough. The bridalsuite is absolutly magnificent - it's connected to a tower.
At Hatttonchatel Chateau you would enjoy your holiday or wedding.

Slot