We would like some recommendations for hotel/ B&B in Aix en Provence and Cassis.. 3 nights Aix en Provence. 2 nights Cassis after a 10 night stay in Paris Late September.

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Many people claim that Cassis is what St Tropez used to be like before St Tropez was “discovered”. We’ve spent more than 4 weeks in St Tropez (several trips) and 4 days (4 different trips) in Cassis – so that’s perhaps a clue to which one we prefer. St Tropez is much larger and has more stuff to do & see. There are also more things to see within a 40 min drive from of St Tropez. We also prefer the beaches outside of St Tropez at Pampelonne, over the beach in Cassis. Although the Cassis beach is right in town – it’s not nearly as “luxurious” (and decadent) as the beaches in St Tropez (remember – we’re not jet-setters). My wife “shopped” Cassis in about 30 mins, and it took us no more than 1 1/2 hrs before we were ready to leave during our first 3 day-trips there. However, in ’07 we decided to do an overnight trip to Cassis from our Gite near Mt Ventoux – and we enjoyed it much more this time. We stayed at the hotel Le Golf – which we later found out was a Rick Steves recommendation. We had a room with a fabulous view out over the port and of the cliffs behind Cassis. We had an enjoyable dinner at Nino. Most of the restaurants along the port are directly on the street – except for Nino. It’s about a half-story up from the street so you don’t get the gawkers walking by all the time & staring at you – but we got to see them – which is always an interesting scene. We also took a boat trip along the Calanques, which was quite scenic. Lesson – just like I advised in the St Tropez section of this itinerary – stay overnight in Cassis. Don’t visit it as a day-trip from somewhere else like we did the first 3 times. It’s much more pleasant in the evening or early morning when the day-trippers have gone. I still, however, would get bored with 3 nights in Cassis – but not bored with 3 nights in St Tropez & surrounds.


Stu Dudley

The trip advisor reviews of Hotel Golf were not great . Wondering if someone has a different suggestion?

I would recommend Les Roches Blanches. I stayed there 3 summers ago in June for 2 nights. The location is absolutely stunning. It's outside of the downtown area right on the sea. The infinity pool on the cliffs overlooking the Med is to die for! If you are a history buff, Winston Churchill stayed there on several occasions during his retirement to paint the sea & cliffs. I did not dine there so I can not comment on the food. Rooms were average. But, the setting is fabulous. I second the recommendation to stay overnight. Once the daytrippers depart, the town is enchanting.

I always recommend Aqua Bella in Aix. Has resto, spa, thermal heated pool, wonderful beds, nearby garage, and is near lots of dining:

http://www.aquabella.fr/english2005/index.html

No help for places in Cassis.

For luxury in Aix, Villa Gallaci
for more modest accomadations, Le Manoir.
Le Manoir has it's own car parc, a simple but very nice hotel. Breakfast is eaten in the cloisters, but unless things have changed, I'd eat elsewhere. The villa is situated next door to Aix's best restaurant Clos des Violette.

Thanks everyone. We booked the Hotel Royal Cottage in Cassis and Mas d'Entremont in Aix en Provence. I think that we will be happy there. We ran into a friend who travels to France every year and he highly recommended these two hotels.

And Stu we will be sure to eat at Niño! Thanks for the recommendation.