La Villa Eugène, Épernay, Champagne Region, France
The smartest address for exploring the Champagne Trail, on the prestigious Avenue de Champagne, and the former 19th-century home of Eugène Mercier (creator of 'a Champagne for all occasions'). It's cosy, luxurious, and filled with family photographs, enticing Louis XVI or colonialstyle décor, and contemporary creature comforts.
Start your day with home-madegoodies at the gorgeous glass conservatory overlooking the extensive wooded grounds, visit the neighbours (some of the area's most famous Champagne houses), take a dip in the heated summer pool, then end your evenings in the bar (a converted stable serving almost 50 varieties of bubbles).