Hi,
My sister and I stayed at Hotel Splendid in Avignon almost 2 years ago and it was okay- we needed a cheap room for 2 nights- nothing fancy. It was a little warm (mid-late May) sleeping, but the room was very clean and the lady who ran the place was very nice and helpful. Easy access to the train station and the center of the city.

Lez is simply another spelling of Lès... meaning "near to or nearby" used only in place names. (Villeneuve lez Avignon - near to Avignon.)It's French, not provençal.

Patricia

You asked for a preference on Arles, Avignon, or Aix. I've stayed in the latter two, but only spent one full day in Arles. My choice for a stay of several days would clearly be Aix. I found Avignon itself interesting, but too crowded and too touristy (ooops, I swore I'd never say that as a negative). Arles is fine, but I love the feel of Aix particularly in the late afternoon and evening -- strolling and cafe stopping along the Cours and hunting up great little restaurants tucked away off the main drag. Being a university town, I also think it would have more appeal to the teen sons.