My wife and I would like to find two hotels - one each for three nights that would allow us to get a flavor of Provence by biking or walking. Checked the Relais & Chateau hotels and although they are nice (and pricey) they appear to be too overblown.<BR><BR>Any suggestions for small, fairly luxurios hotels in towns/villages would be very much appreciated.

tttttt!

Provence covers a pretty large area... do you have any idea in which part of it you interested in biking/walking ?<BR><BR>PB

I would think that either Gordes or St. Remy or both....any suggestions to allow us to spend time in small villages.

Crillon-le-Brave is not too overblown<BR>and there is great cycling and walking<BR>(plus many other things to do) in the<BR>area. It is its own village..

I know what you mean about those hotels, I looked at some of them and even though they were too expensive for me, I thought some of them were not very tasteful or attractive, anyway. Crillon le Brave did look like one of the more tasteful ones, some around the Luberon are not IMO. <BR><BR>Well, here's a French web site you can check for alternatives: www.chateauxhotels.com, it's one I used. I think they are not all quite the level of Relais & Chateaux and some may be in both. Most of the luxury hotels tend to be around Gordes, it seemed to me, as well as the cities. YOu can find those out fairly easily from a guidebook or online search (the ones in Gordes). Check out www.avignon-et-provence.com also for a good selection at all levels. YOu can always use the online Michelin or Gault-Millau guides, also, they are good for upper level hotels.

Fred,<BR><BR>Here are a few suggestions of hotels in St Remy and the Les Baux area (I live near Les Baux in Maussane-les-Alpilles.<BR>There is great biking and walking in this area as well - the tourist office in St Remy has walking and hiking maps and there's a new booklet out that shows various walks - both escorted (like the night ones to see the owls) and unescorted.<BR><BR>In St Remy:<BR>*** Domaine de Valmouriane (4.5 kms from town on the D27, route des Baux)<BR>Restored Proven&ccedil;al Mas set in elegant gardens. Pool, tennis courts, AC.<BR>11 rooms - from 180 - 335 euro<BR>Closed 17 November to 3 December and 19 January to 4 February <BR> Tel: (33) 490 92 44 62 Fax: (33) 490 92 37 32<BR> domdeval@ wanadoo.fr <BR><BR> H&ocirc;tel Les Ateliers de l'Image (in town)<BR>Modern hotel, on the site of the old village movie house. AC, handicapped access.<BR>18 rooms - 140 - 290 euro<BR> Tel: (33) 490 92 51 50 Fax: (33) 490 92 43 52<BR> [email protected]<BR><BR> Les Antiques (in town)<BR>Charming mansion with gardens. Pool<BR>27 rooms <BR>Closed from 18 October to 1st of April<BR> Tel: (33) 490 92 03 02 Fax: (33) 490 92 50 40<BR> <BR> Mas des Carassins (outside town, direction les Baux)<BR>Restored Mas, lovely gardens.<BR>14 rooms from 91 - 110 euro<BR>Closed 4 January to 28 March<BR> Tel: (33) 490 92 15 48 Fax: (33) 490 92 63 47<BR> [email protected]<BR><BR><BR>In Les Baux:<BR>*** La Riboto de Taven (in the valley)<BR>Restored mas and sheepfold, lovely gardens. They're just reopening this year after major restoration and renovation. Several rooms are in the main building, and 2 rooms are carved into the cliffs, beautiful view upward to Les Baux from their private terraces.<BR>The Riboto was a one Michelin star restaurant for 35 years.... and they are still offering dinner to their guests, as well as light lunches by the pool.<BR>Pool, A/C, handicap access<BR>7 Rooms from 137-228 euro<BR>Closed 5 January to mid March<BR> Tel: (33) 490 54 34 23 Fax: (33) 490 54 38 88<BR>email: [email protected]<BR><BR>** Auberge de la Bevengudo (2 kms from les Baux)<BR>Mas set in flower gardens. Discreetly arranged rooms opening onto the gardens. Restaurant (closed Sunday evenings). Pool, tennis courts,AC<BR>17 rooms from - 135 - 183 euro (three apartments) <BR>Closed 3 November to 1 March<BR> Tel: (33) 490 54 32 54 Fax: (33) 490 54 42 58<BR><BR>PB

Wow...these are all great responses. <BR><BR>I'll start my search with these choices, and hopefully one or two of them will pan out.<BR><BR>Thanks again

I can't rave enough about the Crillon La brave, we make it a point to stay at least one night. I like the isolation , few tourists on the roads.<BR>Someone mentioned Mas D'aigret another place we liked. A nice bike ride to see Les Baux.