At the time of our wedding, we received the Relais & Chateaux chef's stay and table gift set (creation n°11). In order to take advantage of it, we chose to stay in July 2022 in Joigny, Burgundy, at the characterful establishment La Côte Saint-Jacques & Spa, because of its location on the banks of the Yonne, its gourmet restaurant ** and its magnificent spa. I'll take you there!
SUMMARY
The location of La Côte Saint-Jacques & Spa
The history of the establishment
Our experience in the hotel area
The ** gastronomic restaurant
The wellness area
1. The location of La Côte Saint-Jacques & Spa
First of all, it is important to know that La Côte Saint-Jacques & Spa is located about 2 hours from Paris by car and 1h15 by train, from the Paris-Bercy train station to the Joigny train station (itself located 1.5km from the hotel).
The hotel is located 30km from the unmissable Burgundy wine route. The name of the house comes from its location below the Côte Saint-Jacques, the hill that is home to the wines of Joigny.
2. The history of the establishment
Regarding its history, La Côte Saint-Jacques was born 70 years ago in the building called the "Maison de Famille", located on the street side, and which today is opposite the 5 star Relais & Châteaux hotel, located on the river side. However, the "Maison de Famille" still offers 10 rooms, admittedly simpler than in the starred part of the establishment, but still comfortable.
Particularity: the two parts of the hotel separated by the street are linked by an underground passage dug in 1985 by Michel Lorain. In fact, staying in the "Maison de Famille" part allows you, even if you are located on the other side of the street, to access the facilities on the river side, namely the restaurant, the gardens, the pool and the SPA.
3. Our experience in the hotel area
When we arrived at La Côte Saint-Jacques & Spa ***** (on the river side), the welcome was warm and considerate. For the record, we arrived late in the day, just a few minutes before our dinner reservation time, and the hotel called us to check that we had no problems and that we were still coming as planned. The establishment is upscale, but the atmosphere remains family and friendly, you feel good and comfortable.
We are taken to our superior room. This one is very spacious (between 30 and 40m2), bright and comfortable. It has a bed as wide as it is thick, a very large bathroom with shower, bathtub and quality products and a lounge area with desk, sofa, mini-bar and sweets and drinks to welcome us pleasantly. The icing on the cake: we were lucky enough to have a balcony with a view of the Yonne River, perfect for enjoying the experience!
Finally, we were touched to find on the wall sublime photographs of wild animals, as we were about to leave for a safari in Namibia a week later for our honeymoon! Indeed, the masters of the place, the Chef Jean-Michel Lorain and his wife Karine, were made aware during their travels in Africa of the threat of extinction of many species, giving them the will to create the association "Draw us a Future", working for the defense of biodiversity and wildlife alongside associations fighting on the ground, on all continents of the planet.
4. The ** gastronomic restaurant
Cooking at La Côte Saint-Jacques is a family tradition. For three generations, the Lorain have been passionate about gastronomy and the art of living. Today, the chef's nephew, Alexandre Bondoux, is taking up the torch and creating the new dishes on the menu, while respecting the family heritage. The current restaurant has been awarded two Michelin stars. In addition, in 2021, La Côte Saint-Jacques was also awarded a green star in the same Michelin Guide, a reward for its commitment to the environment (seasonal and local products, natural and organic wines, development of a vegetable garden, intelligent waste management, limited use of plastic, etc.).
During our visit, we first took the time to have a very pleasant aperitif on the terrace with a view on the Yonne river, before going down to dinner. The decoration of the restaurant, which we had found at the time a little outdated and dark, has since been renovated towards more modernity and brightness.
The proposed cuisine is both creative and refined, full of flavors, and offers notably as signature dishes: the Poularde de Bresse steamed with Champagne, the Boudin noir (black pudding) with an old-fashioned mousseline purée or the Mille-feuille with three light creams. We were also impressed by the river catfish offered and the sublime presentation of the mignardises at the end of the meal. Furthermore, we had chosen the Chablis 1er Cru (Thomas Pico), Domaine Pattes Loup, 2018, rare to find and extraordinary in taste, to accompany our meal. Note that the wine list offers 800 wines from diverse backgrounds! Finally, the staff is responsive and attentive, while remaining discreet.
The next morning, the proposed breakfast was very copious, varied and refined, beautifully presented, based on fresh and regional products.
Finally, it is interesting to note that, upon request, it is possible to learn how to taste great wines, to visit the restaurant's cellar or to participate in a cooking class with the restaurant's brigade. A store in the reception area also offers home-made products, local products, wines, tableware and decorative items, as well as items sold for the benefit of the association "Draw us a Future".
5. The wellness area
After leaving our room the next morning, we were able to enjoy the entire afternoon in the wellness area of 800m2 on two floors, which we had almost exclusively for us, the absolute dream!
This wellness area offers a store, changing rooms, a large indoor swimming pool, but which I unfortunately found a little cool... It also offers a relaxation area with deckchairs, both inside and outside, in the gardens with a view of the Yonne. You can also enjoy an intimate teak jacuzzi area, still with a panoramic view on the Yonne.
The lower level is reached by a vegetated staircase that gives the feeling of crossing the jungle for a moment. On the lower level, there is a large space with cabins for treatments (to be reserved in advance), a sauna and a hammam. Finally, there is a VIP room with spa and hammam, private (by reservation).
Have I given you enough arguments?
The view of La Côte Saint-Jacques & Spa from the opposite bank of the Yonne...
=> I hope this article has helped you in the preparation of your stay and, if you have any questions or comments, don't hesitate, I'll be happy to get back to you!
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