Hotels in Provence
 

I plan to send 8 days in Provence in October. I think I would like to split it up into two 4 night stays in different areas/towns and thereby stay in two different hotels as well. This is a special vacation so price is not a major consideration. For example, we have stayed in Relaix & Chateau properties in other countries. Can you recommend two different towns and hotels in those towns?
---glenn

La Mirande is considered the best in Avignon and Le Pigonnet is the best in Aix-en-Provence, both being good bases for exploring (use Avignon for western destinations and Aix for eastern ones). Sounds like you are on the path to planning a fabulous vacation!

A few years ago (1998, I think) we stayed at Auberge de Noves (Relais & Chateaux) outside Avignon and really enjoyed it. We found the location to be convenient. Maybe somebody can give you a more recent report, but at that time it was very nice.
Byrd

It's been my experience that you can't go wrong with a Relais and Chateau property so my advice would be to just pick two as bases and use them. Supposedly the Villa Gallici in Provence is one of the loveliest small hotels in the world.

Yes, the La Mirande is the best in Avignon, but very very expensive. Many people opt for Hotel L'Europe here which is just expensive.

In St. Remy check out Chateau des Alpilles.

In Aix, I'd go for the Villa Gallici (voted best small hotel in Europe about 4-yrs. ago), in the hills, charming decor (kind of over-the-top, but magnificent), large rooms, great restaurant down the road Clos de la Violette. And easier to get into center ville from here than if using Le Pigonnet which is also a larger hotel.

I can highly recommend the Bastide de Capelongue in Bonnieux.

I've stayed at Hotel D'Europe(wonderful restaurant)
Crillon Le Brave in Crillon le Brave(great food, magnificent views, built on terraces)
Bastide de Marie in Menerbies(the most fantastic breakfasts with various fresh fruit juices, we have ever seen)
(Alan Ducasse's) Bastide de Moustier in Mustier-st-marie
Auberge La Regalido(warm, chef/owner)
These are great places we slept in, so many others but we only dined in, such as the Chateau de Fine Roches in Chateauneuf du Pape

Last May we stayed at Auberge de Cassagne which is just outside Avignon. The suburb doesn't look like much as you drive up but the hotel was wonderful. It's completely inside a walled garden with lovely landscaping and a refreshing pool. The restaurant was fabulous, the rooms very nice (some with little patios) and the service excellent. I recommend it highly. They have a website.

The Auberge de Cassagne also has one of the best cheese carts and most knowledgable cheese waiters I've ever been exposed to. Fabulous.