jgg

Plan on staying in Provence for a week in late March. We are in our late 40s and this will be our first trip to Europe/overseas without our teenagers!! While in Provence, mostly interested in great food and exploring the towns both big and small of the region. While I have done reading about the region and have my ideas of somethings I would like to see we are mostly interested in staying in a fabulous B&B or hote(would like one place for the whole week but would consider splitting between two places)l. For instance I had read about this great B&B in Piedmonte in Italy and knew when we went to the region that is where we would want to stay. We did and had fabulous time - still our favorite place anywhere. So, not looking for a particular town/city, but more a great B&B/hotel to base for a week. Basic requirements would be outstanding friendly and helpful hosts, nice breakfast, comfortable rooms that are well decorated and have amenities like ensuite shower/bath, and well located for exploring the region(we will have car). I happen to know that price does not mean a great place, as some of the best small b&bs are not too expensive, but for argument purposes would like to be in the $200USD/night range and wouldn't spend more than $400USD. I have been reading reviews on TA but their all listed by town and sometimes hard to find which town to look at. So, really interested in knowing places you guys have stayed that you really loved. Thanks so much!!

Christina

I've stayed at two places in Provence that I loved, but they are hotels, not B&Bs. They were small ones, more country inns, but definitely not B&Bs (I don't like B&Bs and don't stay in them). I'm not into the whole small house with extra rooms, hosts, etc. So if hosting ios very important to you, which it sounds like, these will definitely not suit but my faves are the Hotel Hermitage in Pernes-les-Fontaines and the Mas d'Entremont in Aix.

cigalechanta

Hotels I enjoyed;
Crillon Le Brave,Crillon-le-Brave
Bastide de Marie,Menerbes,
Bastide de Mustiers, Mustier s =Ste-Marie
L'Hotel des AteliersSt Remy,
Colombre D' Or, St Paul de Vence,
Le Prieure,Villaneuve-lez-Avignon
La Auberge Regalido,Fontvielle
La Riboto De Taven, Les Baux
Grand Nord Pinus, Arles
Mas de Cure Bourse, L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue
Hotel Les Templiers, Aigues-Mortes
La Begude Saint=Pierre,Vers-Pont-du-Gard
Le Mas des Gres, Lagnes

four of my favorite B&Bs have closed due to illness and person reasons

Chambre Avec Vue, Saignon
Le Castelas(a goat farm), Sivergues
L'ange & L'Elephant, Maussane
Le Mas de Peint, Le Sambuc
Mas du Pastre, Eygaliers

AGM_Cape_Cod

We have stayed in the Mas des Carrassins in Saint Remy de Provence several times. Each time we returned it was like coming home.

jgg

Thanks for the suggestions do far. We are not against staying in a hotel. If in a hotel then would just like staff to be friendly and helpful.

jamesj

I'd like to put in a good word for Mas de la Medicine near Goult in the Luberon. We've been there twice (the last time was five years ago, but from their website, it looks like they've only improved it since then), and I can say that it's among our top 3 favorite lodgings anywhere. The rooms are lovely, the pool has a view of the windmill in Goult and the field of sunflowers next door, the breakfasts of fresh fruits (local in season), a variety of cheeses, breads and brioches from the nearby bakeries, and homemade preserves are served in the courtyard under the fig tree. There's an outdoor kitchen next to the pool, where you can cook your own meals, but the hosts are anxious to help you find restaurants and make reservations for you. They did everything from helping us find a perfect hiking trail to hosting a happy hour spread for us and the other guests one night (meats, cheeses and fabulous wine from the host's extensive cellar). I don't know how often they do the latter anymore, but it's a heavenly place, and we drove all over Provence from there. However, you do need a car to get there and get around, as it's definitely out in the country. We paid 120 euros a night, and it looks like the price is the same now.

zoecat

Wow jamesj, Mas de la Medicine looks lovely. I'll have to try it sometime. Thanks!

website-

http://www.bbluberon.com/accueil-bed-breakfast.html

SuzChicago

Not a hotel, but something to consider if you are staying a full week. I've never enjoyed a place I've stayed as much -- anywhere! It is a "hamlet" of rental villas in St. Remy.



http://www.provenceparadise.com/

Attnymom

One of my favorite hotels in the world is Hotel Particulieur in Arles (http://www.hotel-particulier.com). It is very, very charming and has a lovely restaurant on site. Arles is not my favorite town in Provence, but it is fine (definitely worth seeing - especially on market day) and is a great base to drive to other nearby locations.

abbydog

Mas de la Christine in Maillane! Authentic Provencale hosts (who will even make you dinner), beautiful farm setting (with sheep and border collies), and proximity to St Remy. A wonderful experience.

Piccolina

bookmarking for future reference!

ozgirl

Can't beat http://www.masperreal.com/
Sensational breakfast, hosts and location!

qwovadis

www.cloitre-saint-louis.com/uk/index.php

Restored Nunery great price point Avignon

www.lecalendal.com cute Arles right next to roman Arena

Enjoy value plays of quality and training around

These are my favs...

phillyboy

Hi jgg,

This may be exactly what you're looking for. My wife and our friends, two mid-50's couples, spent a week at Chateau de la Vernede in May 2006. It is a B&B, about 5 minutes drive from Avignon. The prices are well within your range.

The property and house are on the beautiful grounds of a 14th century ex-monastery, with a swimming pool and lovely gardens. An attached wing was being completely gutted and renovated while we were there, and the current website indiates that those upgrades have been completed.

http://www.chateaudelavernede-proven...UK/Welcome.htm

We stayed in the Sinople Room.

The proprieters, Francoise and Christian, are two of the warmest, loveliest people we've ever met in our travels. Francoise basically runs the place, and Christian entertains the guests with a never-ending series of stories of his travels around the world. He would drink wine with us on the rear patio every evening when we returned from touring. In the 7 nights we spent, we had dinner with them 3 times - twice in their home, and once at an Avignon restaurant.

By the time you leave, it will feel like you're saying goodbye to lifelong friends. Our stay at this place was one of our very best memories of all of our travels.

Good luck!

ira

Hi jgg

http://www.hotel-en-provence.com/uk/index.php

jgg

Thanks everyone! Can't wait to check out all these suggestions!!

luvparee

I am sooo jealous! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Provence!

We stayed at a B&B, LeLavandin, in Pernes les Fontaines in 2006 and LOVED it. Georgia is American so no language issues. Ultimate hostess and owner!

www.lelavandinprovence.com


We found Pernes les Fontaines to be very centrally located to the places we wanted to visit.

Enjoy the hunt! Almost as much fun as the time spent on vacation!

Joy

TPAYT

Bookmarking and adding one of our favorites.

We absolutely loved our stay at this place in Le Pontet, outside of Avignon

http://www.aubergedecassagne.com/uk/...in-france.html

It's beautiful and has an outstanding restaurant.

Underhill

Which part of Provence? I can give recommendations for the Nice region, if that interesets you.

Odin

This hotel in Bormes-les-Mimosas is very charming and in a medieval village with views to the sea.

http://www.augrandhotel.com/index-us.htm

This one in Seillans is also very charming and has a very good restaurant.

http://hoteldeuxrocs.pagesperso-oran...n/summary.html