Best Western Plus Villa d'Est ★★★★

At the heart of Alsace, Strasbourg offers all that the region is celebrated for: foie gras, wine, chocolates and eau de vie, as well as being home to the European Parliament and the Council of Europe. Hotel Villa d’Est ****, member of the Châteaux et Hôtels Collection, is the perfect base from which to explore this treasure trove of culture, being just a 20 minute walk from the historic centre of the city. The building dates from the 18th century and was completely renovated in early 2013.Alexandre Roth has applied exacting standards and a pinch of savoir-faire to this beaux arts hotel. The breakfast buffet is a veritable feast and includes regional specialities such as kougeloff and mannel. It’s served in a chic 18th century salon, ‘Rouget de Lislie’, which is decorated in soft neutrals with subtle chandeliers, white tablecloths and simple, elegant white crockery. In fine weather you can enjoy breakfast on the cosy terrace which is a haven of dark wood, orange tones, and leafy green bamboo. Having had a taste of Alsace we’re ready for more and pedal into town on a bicycle borrowed from the hotel.

Strasbourg is full of juxtapositions, like the old town’s fairytale alleyways and the ultra-modern EU quarter. Linger in Petite France’s narrow streets of half-timbered houses intersected by canals and locks. Be awestruck by Strasbourg’s Cathedral Notre-Dame, constructed from pink Vosges sandstone, which Victor Hugo called a ‘gigantic and delicate marvel’. French and German influences combine in the typical foods of the region. Drop into a local Winstub like le Tire-Bouchon, a stone’s throw from the cathedral, to sample regional cooking and a glass of local Riesling. One regional delicacy you can’t miss out on is the pain d’épice, a type of gingerbread. Pop into Les Delices de Mireille and sample some of the delicately spiced golden squares.

Cycling slowly back to the hotel to digest the Alsace delicacies, I’m clutching a little bag of Mireille’s Pain d’épice to enjoy later. The hotel has 46 bedrooms and 2 suites, all with their own character. Their names hint at the themes behind each of the doors, Océan, Soleil Levant, Les Oiseaux… The rooms are well-lit and well thought-out with sumptuous fabric, and decorated in white and soft, warm tones. Bathrooms have shower/bath combinations with rainfall shower, hairdryer and complimentary toiletries, while the room has Wi-Fi, flat screen TV with satellite channels, telephone and a safe. Wander down to the spa and relax in the sauna or let tension melt away in the vapours of the steam room. You could even treat yourself to a Swedish massage. If you’re feeling more energetic or simply want to work up an appetite for a delicious Alsace dinner then there is a cardio suite too.

If you are all walked out and can’t face leaving your room, there is a room service menu with a choice of seasonal dishes which you can enjoy at any time of day in your room or in the comfort of the Rohan bar. Choose to sink into the deep orange sofas on the terrace, or pull up a pew by the fireplace in the bar. It’s also a lovely place to relax with a vin d’Alsace blanc and a selection of the complimentary daily papers, or even a book from the hotel’s library. It would be a shame however not to try the hotel’s partner restaurant Les Sales Gosses, just next to the hotel. Its six starters and six main courses change every six weeks visiting a different region of France… I think on this occasion the numbers 6, 6 and 6 are going to constitute a heavenly experience.