Airelles Château de Versailles, Le Grand Contrôle

Le Grand Contrôle is the only hotel within the grounds of the Palace of Versailles. The building was built in 1681 by Jules Hardouin-Mansart, the architect of the Hall of Mirrors, and was the residence of the contrôleur général des finances, the second post in the kingdom after the king.

The rooms

Fifteen rooms and suites with Pierre Frey fabrics inspired by the Versailles archives, period furniture bought at auctions and antique dealers and a light that imitates candlelight. From the windows you see the palace or the garden. Each guest has a butler. The Necker suite includes a wake-up with 18th-century music and a visit to Trianon.

What makes it different

Guests tour the palace after it closes to the public, with the Hall of Mirrors all to themselves. The restaurant is run by Alain Ducasse, with cooking that reinterprets 17th-century banquets; there is also afternoon tea, the Chapelle bar and La Table des Jardiniers. The spa, with an indoor pool, is by Airelles with Valmont-LBA. It has a programme for children, the Airelles Royal Camp.

Getting there

It is to the right of Place d'Armes, facing the palace. From central Paris it is about 45 minutes by car; by train, the RER C to Versailles Château Rive Gauche and five minutes on foot.