Fodor's Expert Review Les Lodges Sainte-Victoire

Although it's just outside Aix and amid 10 acres of woods, olive groves, and vineyards, with Cézanne-immortalized Mont Sainte-Victoire as a backdrop, this hotel eschews the rustic-country-inn aesthetic in favor of a sophisticated, deluxe-contemporary style. Rooms are handsomely appointed, and those on the ground floor have spacious private terraces overlooking the pool; upstairs suites have mountain views from the bathtubs. If you're staying a week or more, then rent one of the private villas—the final word in luxury, these four sleek, modern structures can each house up to eight people and provide every modern convenience, including a kitchen, dining room, terrace with tremendous views, and private heated pool. Guests in the hotel and lodges have access to the gleaming full-service Cinq Monde spa.