Josh

We're considering staying at the Hotel Crillon le Brave and are wondering if the village itself has anything to offer other than the hotel. We'll have our 2 toddlers with us & would prefer not to eat every dinner at the hotel. Are there restaurants/cafes in the village? There's not much info on google/tripadvisor for anything other than the hotel.

We'll have a car, but the driver (me) will not be drinking Vittel at dinner. We're hoping for some dining alternatives w/in walking distance.

Thanks.

cigalechanta

The hotel has usurped most of that tiny village but the views are fantastic and a short drive to other places.
Besides the main dining room is a less expensive cafe.
They'll give you a simple map where the other places are.

treplow

First, we were at the hotel three years ago and loved it! Now to your specific questions. Essentially, the hotel is the village. Several of the village houses have been converted into guest rooms and suites. Our suite was on the top (counting in US manner, third floor) in the converted house of the former parish priest. There are no elevators, and unless you are in the main building, you better are in shape to carry your infant up an down stairs.

There is one other restaurant within walking distance. Most likely you either will want to eat your meal in the hotel (expensive) or goto one of the several close-by villages with good restuarnts within easy (even after more than just a Vittel)driving distance. Breakfast (buffet) is on the terrace, with a great view of Mt. Montoux (sp?). One of the major things we liked about the hotel location was that it enabled us to take several great day trips.

PeggyE

We loved this hotel and had the best room with the duel bathtubs overlooking the valley! But with two toddlers? I am not so sure. It would seem expensive & perhaps not as convenient for other close food options. If you go, you will enjoy it but be prepared with the hotel for the best accommodations ther for your family.

Josh

Peggy,

Thanks for your reply. Traveling with 4 is always more expensive and less convenient, but our children are good travelers and we prefer to have them vacation with us. More than the expense, we just aren't going to want to dine at the same place 4 or 5 nights in a row.

The hotel can accommodate us. My concern is with the town; we usually stay in larger cities/towns (Avignon, Aix, etc) with more evening activities accessible by foot. It sounds like there are limited options here.

Thanks for the other replies as well.

glsebs

Treplow,

What were the day trips you took when you stayed at this hotel. We are thinking of making it one of our bases for our trip to Provence next summer.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

StuDudley

We've stayed at a gite in the village "next door" to Crillon la Brave for a total of 6 weeks in the last 4 years. There is not much to do in Crillon except enjoy the views and the ambience of the hotel itself. In Bedoin (15 mins away by car) there are many simple restaurants & cafes. Several pizza places, pasta restaurant, steak/frites places, etc. No "fine dining" or Michelin recommended restaurants, however. The "fine dining" restaurant at Crillon la Brave is quite expensive, and more formal than most of the other restaurants in the region. I had my birthday dinner there, and was quite disappointed - but that's another subject.

We've kept ourselves busy with 6 weeks of exploring the Crillon la Brave region - in addition to spending another 10 weeks in other areas of Provence. The Luberon is less than 45 mins away, Cote du Rhone villages & vineyards 20 mins away, Avignon 30 mins, St Remy about an hour, Pont du Gard less than an hour, lavender fields within 20 mins, Dentelles within 20 mins, Baronnies within 30 mins.

Stu Dudley

treplow

glsebs: I have to get back to my movies to look up the smaller places. Here are some that I can recall without a memory crutch: M.Ventoux, Bedoin, Vaison la Romaine, Fontain-de-Vacluse, Rousseilion, Sederon, Gordes abnd a village close to the Dentelles de Montmirail..

The hotel gave us sort of a hand drawn map that showed serveral day and half-day trips. It was very useful. If you contact them, perhaps they can e-mail it to you. Unfortunately, I seem to have lost my copy.

glsebs

Treplow,

Thanks. That is exactly the info I was looking for. I will definitely contact the hotel once our plans are finalized.

Glsebs