aljo

We are 3 adults planning a trip to Provence this Sept. We would like to stay in one place and tour the area from there. We have picked Saint-Remy as our base as I have read good comments about it on this site.

We need 2 rooms (a double for hubby and me and a single for our adult son) and would like it to be within walking distance of the center of Saint-Remy. I have e-mailed umpteen places but have only received a handful of replies so far (about one week since I e-mailed).

So far we have a choice of staying at Sous les Figuiers (the price is right, but no tv which is a problem for my hubby)or staying at Hotel des Castelet des Alpilles (they have tv but it is more expensive ).

If anyone has stayed at Hotel des Castelet des Alpilles I would appreciate comments on this hotel.

I have written (3 times) to Mona Lisa which is the company managing Jardins des Fontanille but I have not received a reply. Has anyone dealt with this company ? Also, if you have stayed in this hotel your input would be appreciated.

Comments on the above or any other hotel that would fit our requirements would be very helpful.

ggnga

I have stayed twice, last in May, at Residence Les Oliviers in St. Remy. It is a studio apartment with full kitchen, sitting and dining area, TV, bedroom and nice modern bath and a patio. The garden is outstanding. The Reys are very nice but do not speak much english. There is covered parking for your car and a remote control gate that is locked at night (you get a remote contol device). The studio for 4 people has a separate bedroom upstairs with twin beds, giving you much privacy for you and your son. I love having a kitchen in Provence so I can bring things from the markets, wonderful fruit, cheese, tomatoes etc. I am a coffee person and I liked being able to make coffee anytime I want also. It is very comfortable.. done in tile and provence colors. When you look at the website, look at the french site for lots of pictures and the english site for a complete description in english. I do not know why there are not the same pictures on the english site. When I was there last, the cherries were ripe and Mrs. Rey came just after picking and brought me a big basket of them.

It is about a 15 minute walk from town but easy to get in and out of so I took the car in most evenings for dinner.
The price is extremely reasonable, I paid 49 euros per night!!! The first visit I had a one bedroom and the last visit a large apartment with upstairs since no small one was available, so I have seen both.

They rent weekly during high season but I have rented the 1st time for 5 nights and the second time for 6 nights without a problem. I forgot to say it is airconditioned also.

Website http://residencelesoliviers.free.fr/index.html
Avenue Marechal Koenig

Have a wonderful trip.

gg

katie_scarlett

ggnga, Would you suggest this for honeymooners?
Thanks,
Katie

aljo

message: ggnga
Thank you for the info on Residence les Oliviers. This may be just the ticket for us. I have sent them an e-mail enquiring about availability.

They mention rates for supplying sheets and for house cleaning, but don't mention towels. Do they supply them or do we have to bring our own. We are trying to travel light so want to avoid unnecessary things to carry.

Another question. You mentioned that most evenings you drove into Saint Remy for dinner, etc. Is there free parking in Saint-Remy or is parking a problem.

I really appreciate your input. I think this forum is great. I have used many tips I have received in the past for various trips. Thanks again.

LarryJ

I stayed in St. Remy last month for 7 days. Stayed at Le Castelet des Alpilles. I paid 65 euros for a single, no breakfast, sat. tv but no English language channels and no mini-fridge breakfast is about 8.50 euros if you want it (I didn't). Very nice staff, old hotel and furnishings but clean and nice setting as hotel sits amongst tall trees and has nice courtyard. 5 minute walk down a slight hill to center of town. Supermarket two blocks away, must be 10,000 restaurants in town. Best thing about it is they have a private fenced parking lot accessable by electronic gate control and charge nothing for parking.

Larry J

LarryJ

One other thing. My room did not have air conditioning but had a window 8'X 5'
that swung completely open and got a great breeze all the time. Very comfortable.

Larry J

ggnga

Hello again,
They supply sheets but no towels. The sheets were included in the 49 euro price (single person) and no housekeeping fee either on top of that. The first time I bought a towel at the Intermarche, which is conveniently located 1 block away, because I did not realize one would not be there. This time I remembered and brought one rolled up in my carryon. You can wash it out and the hot provence sun dried it while I was out.

There is a parking lot in town that I was always able to get into in the evening and other times. The only time parking is a problem is market day, Wednesday I think.

For honeymooners I don't know. It is comfortable and up to date but not what I would call romantic. The convenience, price, kithcen, and airconditioning can't be beat though.

I hope it works out for you. Happy travels. If you think of anything else let me know.

ggnga

Hello again,
They supply sheets but no towels. The sheets were included in the 49 euro price (single person) and no housekeeping fee either on top of that. The first time I bought a towel at the Intermarche, which is conveniently located 1 block away, because I did not realize one would not be there. This time I remembered and brought one rolled up in my carryon. You can wash it out and the hot provence sun dried it while I was out.

There is a parking lot in town that I was always able to get into in the evening and other times. The only time parking is a problem is market day, Wednesday I think.

For honeymooners I don't know. It is comfortable and up to date but not what I would call romantic. The convenience, price, kithcen, and airconditioning can't be beat though.

I hope it works out for you. Happy travels. If you think of anything else let me know.

gg

ggnga

Hello again,
They supply sheets but no towels. The sheets were included in the 49 euro price (single person) and no housekeeping fee either on top of that. The first time I bought a towel at the Intermarche, which is conveniently located 1 block away, because I did not realize one would not be there. This time I remembered and brought one rolled up in my carryon. You can wash it out and the hot provence sun dried it while I was out. I had taken an old one and just threw it away at the end.

There is a parking lot in town that I was always able to get into in the evening and other times. The only time parking is a problem is market day, Wednesday I think.

For honeymooners I don't know. It is comfortable and up to date but not what I would call romantic. The convenience, price, kithcen, and airconditioning can't be beat though.

I hope it works out for you. Happy travels. If you think of anything else let me know.

gg

ggnga

I guess you noticed, either the site or my computer was having a spell while I tried to post that last reply. I went away thinking it never posted at all and it posted 3 times.

Sorry about that.

gg

Underhill

I don't think it's either of you--I've seen a number of duplicate and triplicate posts yesterday and today. I suspect it's something new with the site.

walkinaround

any time you can get an apartment in provence (or anywhere) do it. i hardly ever stay in hotels except for business. for the money and the ability to cook the great fresh foods, it can't be beat.

many smaller more inexpensive places may have tv but is often french language. if this is a problem, then wouldn't be a shame to pay more and/or rearrange plans for it only to realise you don't enjoy it. you have tv at home.

LisaE

Message for ggnga: The website for Residence les Oliviers doesn't seem to work. Is there any other way I can reach them?