Need to know
Rooms
146, including 27 suites.
Check–Out
12 noon, and check-in is at 3pm. Both are flexible, on request and subject to availability.
More details
Rates include a buffet breakfast (including gluten free options), laid-out daily at Le Réfectoire des Moines.
Also
Some rooms have been adapted for guests with limited mobility (and can be booked on request); there’s a lift servicing all floors in the main house and the communal spaces are all accessible. The grounds are generally wheelchair-friendly, but please note that the Haras rooms in the old stables are only reachable by a steep set of stairs.
At the hotel
185 acres of land with a private lake, boats (rowing and pedal) and bikes to borrow, resident alpacas, playground, two tennis courts and free-to-use rackets and balls. Inside the hotel, there’s also a cinema, karaoke room, arcade-style games room, 24-hour gym, boutique and free WiFi throughout. In rooms: TV, minibar, Nespresso coffee machine, tea-making kit, free bottled water, bathrobes and slippers, hairdryer and bespoke bath products.
Our favourite rooms
Rooms and suites rest in four separate buildings, each with a distinctly playful design that complements the hotel’s historic architecture. You’ll find most in the main Abbey, but we’d suggest springing for La Pagode, the only suite set on the lakeside with a water-watching terrace and Asian-inspired crimson interiors. Fans of maximalist flair may want to check -in to one of the Haras rooms, set in the old stables and packed with Pierre Frey’s Toile de Jouy wallpapers and matching, antique furniture.
Poolside
The spa’s curvaceous outdoor pool sits between the estate’s natural surroundings, and opens daily from 10am to 7pm (adults-only, except between 10am and 2pm).
Spa
The spa and wellness centre is set in a converted stable, once part of the estate’s stud farm. Thankfully, these days, sounds are mellower and scents fresher, courtesy of the seven treatment rooms, where adept masseurs use aromatic Tata Harper products to revive and rejuvenate. There’s also a salon, hammam, sauna, two Jacuzzis and Nordic baths that set this space’s serenity in stone. Meditative types can sign up for personalised sound bath sessions, take part in an ever-changing roster of wellness workshops, and join (floor and aerial) yoga flows.
Packing tips
Adventure-ready threads for exploring fit the brief, and chuck in a few loose coins for a stint at the arcade.
Also
During the Second World War, the storied sculptures that now line the Palace of Versailles were hidden from enemy forces in the Abbey’s surrounding woods.
Pet‐friendly
Dogs under 10 kilogrammes are welcome for €50 a night. See more pet-friendly hotels in Yvelines.
Children
Little Smiths are welcome, and extremely well catered for at Abbaye des Vaux de Cernay.
Best for
There’s something for everyone, but five to 12 year olds are best placed to enjoy the estate’s rural pursuits.
Recommended rooms
The Family Room has two bedrooms, and sleeps three. If you’re in need of some extra space, stretch for the Pavillon d’Honneur, which has room for six in three double bedrooms, as well as a separate living and dining area.
Crèche
Abbaye des Vaux de Cernay runs a tailor-made programme for little Smiths between five and 12 at weekends. For a full day, it’s €80 a child and includes activities like recreational and creative workshops, treasure hunts, karaoke, watersports, nature walks, visits to the resident alpacas, supervised access to the playground, as well as lunch and snacks. There’s also a play area for children aged three to eight, but it’s unsupervised so you’ll have to stick around while younger ones wander.
Activities
Kids will be well-entertained by the lake, with pedal and rowing boats available to borrow, or cycling the grounds and playing tennis. If the weather is a little cooler, take to the arcade-style games room and karaoke booths. There are dedicated children’s treatments at the spa, including mango butter massages and Gitti mani-pedis.
Swimming pool
Tots are welcome to splash about as much as they please at the outdoor pool between 10am and 2pm.
Meals
Children are welcome to dine in all the restaurants, though L'Auberge has more of an adults-only feel. Menus aren't specially adapted for kids anywhere except James' Bar, where there's a dedicated list of light bites just for little ones.
Babysitting
If you’re looking for some alone time, ask staff to book a babysitter from €30 an hour.
No need to pack
Games – they’ll be plenty at the hotel to keep kids entertained.
Sustainability efforts
Abbaye des Vaux de Cernay’s owners worked hard during renovations to ensure no damage was done to the building’s surrounding land and ecosystems. Since opening, efforts have continued and preservation of its natural environment is at the heart of what they do. Chefs also source all the restaurants’ ingredients from nearby suppliers, to cut food miles and support the local economy.
