Aix-en-Provence Lodging
 

Our last trip we stayed at Le Manoir. The rooms weren't great, but the courtyard was super. We're considering the Cardinal or Des Quatre Dauphins this time. If you've stayed at any of the three hotels we'd appreciate your opinion on the most charming one.

I stayed at the Hotel Cardinal a few years ago and thought it was one of the nicest 2-star hotels I've ever stayed in. The bathroom was huge (real tub, tile), bedroom very charmingly decorated, large enough, and the staff was very nice. It was a very convenient location, also, walking distance to everything but not on a noisy street. My only dislike at all was that it was in an urban townhouse, thus abutting other buildings, and the one right next door was apartments and you could hear the people there a lot (my room faced interior courtyard rather than the street). I don't remember it being real noisy at night, regardless; I think a room not on the interior would be quieter. A lot of urban hotels are like this (or homes). The hotel itself was just charming, both bedrooms and common areas.

Thanks for the help. Anyone ever tried <BR>Des Quatre Dauphins?

Hi Leland. We stayed at the Quatre Dauphins back in May, 1994. Overall, it was a nice place but we had a small top-floor that was very hot, so we moved to another hotel after just one night. It's in a great area, only about one or two blocks east of the Cours Mirabeau. <BR> <BR>It is -- or at least used to be -- in the Fodors Rivages guide "Hotels of Character and Charm in France." In fact, that's how I discovered the Rivages series, because they had a copy of it at the front desk.

Thanks. Appreciate your help in making our decision. Do either of these hotels have a courtyard or place to relax?

Leland, <BR> <BR>If you are looking for a nice courtyard and hotel, I'd suggest you check out the 4* Le Pigonnet in Aix. It is about a 15-minute walk into town, as I understand it. (I was going to stay there 2 nights in October, but had to cancel due to a change in our planned route). <BR> <BR>Check it out at: <BR> <BR>http://www.hotelpigonnet.com/ <BR> <BR>Happy travels, <BR> <BR>John H

Leland, I don't believe the Quatre Dauphins has a courtyard but, as I recall, it had quite a nice sitting room off the lobby, so I would think one could relax there.