The public areas were large grounds with a plane tree avenue. It was warm so we didn't spend a lot of time inside at the bar which I recall as having red leather chairs. There was a swimming pool and sauna which my DH inaugurated for the year--it was late April.

For breakfast I would say you might find a better value in town. I recall baguette, coffee, and orange juice. However, you have to remember that was my first trip to France and I wasn't completely weaned off scrambled eggs and the endless coffee pot!

Our room was an upstairs corner with shutters which closed out the sound of croaking frogs at night. It's been 3 years but I'm thinking I remember hardwood floors, a red and white decor, a nice bathroom with a big open window.

If I recall, at least one of the owners was American.

Our trip was 17 days and DH recalls it as one of his favorites, if that helps.

We just returned from four days at Mas des Carassins. It is located on a quiet side street, at most a 10 minute walk to town. The grounds, accomodations, breakfasts, dinners and especially the hosts are FORMIDABLE. It may be slightly higher in price, but the price quoted for four nights included breakfast everyday and two excellent dinners. You can't go wrong here!

hopingtotravel, thanks for the additional information. At 118E/night including breakfast this hotel is one of the most economical choices in town.

zorrosf, did you stay in one of the Superior or smaller Classic rooms? We are considering the Classic grade room, did you have the chance to see one of these smaller rooms?

InMiami,

My two daughters stayed in one of the smaller classic rooms. It was cute, but small, with a small bath. Our superior room was very large, had a sitting area, large bath and a view. I think it is well worth the extra money.

And I so agree with zorrosf--you just can't go wrong here.

To your earlier question, yes, we did use ac in June. It was very hot for a few days.

Oddly, when we stayed, the room was (I thought) quite expensive. I wonder if any circumstances, or competition, have changed. (Or maybe I've just become inurred to the falling $)

Our room was on the second floor (I think there are only two!) towards the back. I can't remember the room number, but it was perfectly fine. Be sure to specifically request a bathtub if that is important to you. You will not be disappointed in this property! They even have a free computer for guests' use! Call and talk to Christophe or Michel if you want specific information about which particular rooms may be available. I sound like a shill, but I am just a VERY satisfied former guest.

InMiami:

We visited the very first week of June and were thankful for the excellent A/C.

InMiami, am I reading this right that Clos du Buis is booked for May 2009. We were planning on staying there May 1, 2009 for 4 nights, should we be looking elsewhere.

zorrosf and hax, the Mas des Carassins is offering one of their Classic rooms with breakfast for 138E/night which is within our budget. The Superior room would bring the total to 160E/night, which comes to $250/night. Since we want to travel to Europe once a year we really need to budget. It kills me that we stayed in luxury hotels in Prague and Budapest for $150/night just last year.

suze, yes the Clos du Buis is already booked for May and part of June for 2009. I am not sure if that includes the very beginning of May. I was asking about May 14-20, 2009. I would E-mail them at once.

hopingtotravel, the most expensive double at the Le Castelet des Alpilles is going for 96E/night. The breakfast is an additional 9.5E/day per person. For 115E night I will be getting their best room while at the Carassins I will be paying 23E more for their cheapest room. luckily I still have time to think this over.

Just to clarify: not familiar w/La castelet. The one we stayed in was Chateau des Alpilles.

We've stayed twice at Canto Cigalo in St. Remy http://www.cantocigalo.com/ and found it fine for the price. Looks like 79€ is the top price this season. We really enjoyed the gardens and the peace and quiet. Short walk to the centre of town. Rooms are not luxurious but perfectly good in a clean and basic way.

hopingtotravel, thank you for the clarification. I am getting my Chateaus and Castelets confused! Yes your recollection is correct, the Chateau is beautiful but outside of my price range.

geebee14, now I see the Canto Cigalo on Tripadvisor, very nice property and great prices. Thanks for the tip!

We stayed at the Hotel Gounod two years ago and was very happy with the room. We had a ground floor room with a little patio. They have a small built in pool. We were there in November. They had secured parking a short walk away.
The best part was that when we walked out the front door - the market day stalls were RIGHT THERE. We could go shopping and take everything right back to our room.

In May of 2007 we visited 10 days in St. Remy, and we stayed in Villa Glanum and we loved it. It is about a 15 min. walk to the ring road, etc.

The best part is that is was very
affordable...check on Rick Steves...he also likes the place.

The villa has a nice pool, beautiful gardens, and nice rooms, many with balconies.

Check it out.

Maizy

I decided to bite the bullet and reserve at the Mas des Carassins. I am not traveling until May and will give a complete report.

We stayed at Mas des Carassins a couple of years ago. Here is a cut-and-paste from our trip report:

"Mas des Carassins, St. Remy de Provence

This small hotel just out of the center of St. Remy came highly
recommended here. It did have the unfortunate distinction of coming right after having an entire two-story home to ourselves, so initially, our room seemed a little small and plain. The absolute best feature of this hotel is its grounds and lovely gardens. We enjoyed our breakfast in the garden every morning. The room was generally comfortable, although we did find
ourselves tripping over all of our stuff at times. The hotel serves dinner in the garden five nights per week, including two of the nights we were there; however, we did not partake. Allie said ‘no’ to the sea bass on the first night, and although the second night’s veal menu sounded (and smelled)
very good, we were all much too full to take on a four-course meal that
night. We loved the very casual, laid-back atmosphere here, as well as the little bulldog, Zazou, who had the run of the grounds. The pool was nice, if a bit chilly. We enjoyed a quiet dip and a little relaxation after our days out
touring in the area – that is, after Allie got over the shock that she would be sharing the pool area with women sunbathing topless (please note: her mom was NOT one of them). All in all, this was a lovely place to stay. Nice, quiet location, too. Garden-view double with extra bed and mandatory breakfast: 181€ per night."

Hope this helps.