I've stayed at two places in Provence that I loved, but they are hotels, not B&Bs. They were small ones, more country inns, but definitely not B&Bs (I don't like B&Bs and don't stay in them). I'm not into the whole small house with extra rooms, hosts, etc. So if hosting ios very important to you, which it sounds like, these will definitely not suit but my faves are the Hotel Hermitage in Pernes-les-Fontaines and the Mas d'Entremont in Aix.

Hotels I enjoyed;
Crillon Le Brave,Crillon-le-Brave
Bastide de Marie,Menerbes,
Bastide de Mustiers, Mustier s =Ste-Marie
L'Hotel des AteliersSt Remy,
Colombre D' Or, St Paul de Vence,
Le Prieure,Villaneuve-lez-Avignon
La Auberge Regalido,Fontvielle
La Riboto De Taven, Les Baux
Grand Nord Pinus, Arles
Mas de Cure Bourse, L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue
Hotel Les Templiers, Aigues-Mortes
La Begude Saint=Pierre,Vers-Pont-du-Gard
Le Mas des Gres, Lagnes

four of my favorite B&Bs have closed due to illness and person reasons

Chambre Avec Vue, Saignon
Le Castelas(a goat farm), Sivergues
L'ange & L'Elephant, Maussane
Le Mas de Peint, Le Sambuc
Mas du Pastre, Eygaliers

We have stayed in the Mas des Carrassins in Saint Remy de Provence several times. Each time we returned it was like coming home.

Thanks for the suggestions do far. We are not against staying in a hotel. If in a hotel then would just like staff to be friendly and helpful.

I'd like to put in a good word for Mas de la Medicine near Goult in the Luberon. We've been there twice (the last time was five years ago, but from their website, it looks like they've only improved it since then), and I can say that it's among our top 3 favorite lodgings anywhere. The rooms are lovely, the pool has a view of the windmill in Goult and the field of sunflowers next door, the breakfasts of fresh fruits (local in season), a variety of cheeses, breads and brioches from the nearby bakeries, and homemade preserves are served in the courtyard under the fig tree. There's an outdoor kitchen next to the pool, where you can cook your own meals, but the hosts are anxious to help you find restaurants and make reservations for you. They did everything from helping us find a perfect hiking trail to hosting a happy hour spread for us and the other guests one night (meats, cheeses and fabulous wine from the host's extensive cellar). I don't know how often they do the latter anymore, but it's a heavenly place, and we drove all over Provence from there. However, you do need a car to get there and get around, as it's definitely out in the country. We paid 120 euros a night, and it looks like the price is the same now.

Wow jamesj, Mas de la Medicine looks lovely. I'll have to try it sometime. Thanks!

website-

http://www.bbluberon.com/accueil-bed-breakfast.html

Not a hotel, but something to consider if you are staying a full week. I've never enjoyed a place I've stayed as much -- anywhere! It is a "hamlet" of rental villas in St. Remy.



http://www.provenceparadise.com/

One of my favorite hotels in the world is Hotel Particulieur in Arles (http://www.hotel-particulier.com). It is very, very charming and has a lovely restaurant on site. Arles is not my favorite town in Provence, but it is fine (definitely worth seeing - especially on market day) and is a great base to drive to other nearby locations.

Mas de la Christine in Maillane! Authentic Provencale hosts (who will even make you dinner), beautiful farm setting (with sheep and border collies), and proximity to St Remy. A wonderful experience.

bookmarking for future reference!

Can't beat http://www.masperreal.com/
Sensational breakfast, hosts and location!

www.cloitre-saint-louis.com/uk/index.php

Restored Nunery great price point Avignon

www.lecalendal.com cute Arles right next to roman Arena

Enjoy value plays of quality and training around

These are my favs...

Hi jgg,

This may be exactly what you're looking for. My wife and our friends, two mid-50's couples, spent a week at Chateau de la Vernede in May 2006. It is a B&B, about 5 minutes drive from Avignon. The prices are well within your range.

The property and house are on the beautiful grounds of a 14th century ex-monastery, with a swimming pool and lovely gardens. An attached wing was being completely gutted and renovated while we were there, and the current website indiates that those upgrades have been completed.

http://www.chateaudelavernede-provence.com/UK/Welcome.htm

We stayed in the Sinople Room.

The proprieters, Francoise and Christian, are two of the warmest, loveliest people we've ever met in our travels. Francoise basically runs the place, and Christian entertains the guests with a never-ending series of stories of his travels around the world. He would drink wine with us on the rear patio every evening when we returned from touring. In the 7 nights we spent, we had dinner with them 3 times - twice in their home, and once at an Avignon restaurant.

By the time you leave, it will feel like you're saying goodbye to lifelong friends. Our stay at this place was one of our very best memories of all of our travels.

Good luck!

Hi jgg

http://www.hotel-en-provence.com/uk/index.php

Thanks everyone! Can't wait to check out all these suggestions!!

I am sooo jealous! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Provence!

We stayed at a B&B, LeLavandin, in Pernes les Fontaines in 2006 and LOVED it. Georgia is American so no language issues. Ultimate hostess and owner!

www.lelavandinprovence.com


We found Pernes les Fontaines to be very centrally located to the places we wanted to visit.

Enjoy the hunt! Almost as much fun as the time spent on vacation!

Joy

Bookmarking and adding one of our favorites.

We absolutely loved our stay at this place in Le Pontet, outside of Avignon

http://www.aubergedecassagne.com/uk/auberge-in-france.html

It's beautiful and has an outstanding restaurant.

Which part of Provence? I can give recommendations for the Nice region, if that interesets you.

This hotel in Bormes-les-Mimosas is very charming and in a medieval village with views to the sea.

http://www.augrandhotel.com/index-us.htm

This one in Seillans is also very charming and has a very good restaurant.

http://hoteldeuxrocs.pagesperso-orange.fr/en/summary.html

Provence was our absolute favorite European trip. We took a car and drove from point to point, staying in several amazing B&Bs. My favorites were:

Le Eveche in Vaison la Romaine. The photos don't do justice to this spectacular place or the hosts. We had the room with a staircase leading up to a rooftop terrace. Magical at night or sundown. Breakfast in their inner courtyard is delicious.
http://eveche.free.fr/uk_index.htm

Also: Villa Agape in Avignon. The host, Madame Michelle, is absolutely wonderful. Her home with garden and pool on the rooftop, is spectacular.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g187212-d877781-Reviews-Villa_Agape-Avignon_Vaucluse_Provence.html

Odin, I like the more intimate one in seillans.
I've always wanted to get to the area when the Mimosas
are in bloom but don't like travelling when snow is still possible here.

We've stayed at Le Mas Perreal twice - would go back in a heartbeat! Perfect location, gracious hosts, delicious breakfasts...

We loved Sous Les Figueres in St Remy. It is a small hotel but has the feel of a B&B. All rooms open to outdoor patios and the common lounge area is beautiful with huge French doors and chandeliers. Rooms are, of course, ensuite with updated bathrooms and nice bed linens. There is parking within the property and access is gated at night. We found St Remy to be an excellent town to base for four nights. Leveche in Vaison Romaine was very nice but not for more than one night. Not a big fan of Arles.

If you're going over to the Nice area, I strongly recommend a luxury B&B near Grasse: Le Mas du Roc. The owner is a very good coook, and breakfaasts are excellent. So are the beds, which she imported from the U.S.: no foam! There's a nice little common room with a TV and DVR, along with a good selection of movies in English, French, and German. It's a very classy, comfortable place.

There are several good restaurants in the Grasse area.

Chateau des Alpilles in St. Remy -- beautiful front bedroom

Bastide Moustiers in Moustiers Ste Marie--we had the white room, and had dinner there.

I spent a week at Toile Blanche (http://www.toileblanche.com/) a few years ago with my good lady wife and can't recommend it highly enough.

It's just outside St. Paul de Vence and is easily the best B&B I've ever stayed in. Great hosts, great food, wonderful setting and views, and the room we had was verging on the perfect for the price we paid.

There's a small swimming pool, but whilst we were there we only used it to sit next to and drink our bodyweight in rosé whilst soaking up the atmosphere. This place really holds some good memories for me.

I believe the owners used to be gallery owners so there is lots of original art about the place and a slightly bohemian vibe going on.

We stayed at Le Mas Perréal

We stayed at the fabulous Le Mas Perreal
http://masperreal.com/index.html
this last July.

It was the best B&B experience in 40+ years of world travel. Le Mas meets all of your requirements.Kevin and Elizabeth are outstanding friendly and helpful hosts,the breakfasts are gourmet,the rooms are comfortable and well decorated and have amenities like en suite bathrooms with large walk-in showers,private terraces and sitting areas,and gorgeous views over the surrounding countryside.

Kevin will personally help you plan your daily activities and select dinner locations in nearby villages.

I would be surprised if Le Mas Perreal did not replace the B&B in Piedmont as your all time favorite.

Another vote for Le Mas des Carassins in St. Remy- spent 4 nights there this past spring and absolutely loved it. Have already sent one friend there and another is going this spring. Wonderful food, beautiful grounds w/ pool, lovely decor, very relaxed.

bookmarking

http://www.lamaison-a-bournissac.com/

http://www.chateautalaud.com/

Here's two more you might want to look at. La Maison a Bournissac is well located,right outside St. Remy. It's a small inn with an excellent restaurant. We enjoyed our stay there, but it was 8 yrs ago, so you'd need current info.
We haven't stayed at Chateau Talaud, but I remember being very impressed when I researched it. Have fun! EJ

James J--can u tell me approximately the distance from Mas de la Medecine to the village of Goult--we enjoy going out to cafes and restaurants nearby--love to walk to if possible. Is it close enough to walk and are there quite a few restaurants and cafes in the nearby area. Have been to the Luberon many times, but can't quite place Goult. Many thanks.

I like Goult a lot, I went there one evening the last time I stayed in the area as it wasn't too far from where I was staying. I would not say it has quite a few restaurants/cafes, it is a very small village, but there are a couple.

However, that B&B is in the middle of nowhere, although there are several villages where you can drive (Lacoste looks closer than Goult, not sure). I don't know the exact distance, but I don't think you could walk there as you'd havge to cross the super major N900 highway. I'm guessing it might be about 4-5 km.

Many thanks Christina--we really love that area but also like to be in a village where we can walk around and go for a drink, etc.--enjoy the country but prefer to be in touching distance of some of the amenities--

All best,
Robyn France

http://hotels-francepatrimoine.fr/hotel/le-couvent-royal-de-saint-maximin

An excellent place if you're looking to stay in the Luberon is in Bonnieux at Le Clos du Bois. The owner sometimes offers dinner as well, and it's excellent.

Topping this for wonderful info.

Hub and I loved Aqua Bella in Aix. It is a hotel with a hot spring-fed pool, a spa, hotel, nearby garage and the most comfy beds we ever slept in. When we were there in 2009, they had a computer room for guests. They also helped us with a van tour--van picked up at the hotel.

http://www.aquabella.fr/

I am the OP and just wanted to thank everyone for their amazing suggestions. I think I looked at almost everyone listed!! And the winner is....Mas des Carassins in St. Remy. I will say that le Lavandin and Le Mas Perreal were favorites as well, but unfortunately they don't open until April 1 and we will be there in late March. Thanks again for everyone's recommendations this was a huge help for me and I suspect for future travelers. Can't wait for our week in Provence!!