37 Best Hotels in Provence, France

As you’d expect from L’Occitane, Provence’s leading skincare brand, the spa is the star at this opulent, country retreat in a restored 17th-century convent, where everything seems to shimmer—from the spacious rooms, done up in pale wood and creamy linen with designer furnishings and private garden terraces, to the elegant common areas. And you’ll shimmer, too, after a trip to the spa, fully equipped with a spacious pool as well as a menu of relaxing treatments. Two on-site restaurants, including Michelin-starred Le Feuillée, round out the offerings that make for a serene, splurge-worthy stay.

A mix of southern-coast bourgeois and Provençal touches adds a splash of color to the sunlit, airy rooms of this family-owned hotel, where thoughtful service and absolute calm encourage relaxation. Private patios overlook a large secluded park bordered by eucalyptus, pink oleanders, and palm trees. You can hike through forests, swim in the pool, or simply sit on the flower-filled terrace. Diners come to the intimate, simply decorated restaurant from across the island to sample such delicious, hearty Provençal fare as smoked duck salad garnished with grilled tomatoes or rack of lamb with island herbs and ratatouille and to murmur comfortably over a final warmed brandy.

Heavenly peace is the theme at this lovely five-star hotel, tucked away behind the walls of a medieval convent amid enchanting gardens, with a pool, shady terraces, and a highly regarded restaurant all of which have undergone a top-to-toe renovation. Spread across three buildings, the rooms are a handsome mix of contemporary luxe accented with elegant Provençal antiques. Some rooms have private terraces; the best accommodations tend to be those in the ancient priory. This sheltered oasis feels worlds away from Avignon's crowds and bustle, but it's close enough to easily come and go.

In an unlikely but intriguing series of events, the hoteliers behind the trendy Les Bains hotel and club in Paris acquired this deeply Camarguian property in the heart of the national park and transformed it into a fashionable resort. The local spirit remains in traditional cottages—once housing for the local gardians—that have stylishly rustic interiors, small terraces, and thatched roofs that have been restored to better withstand ferocious winds off the sea. The main building houses a restaurant and cocktail bar (with a mixologist, of course), and the grounds contain two lovely pools and a spa. Resident horses grazing among the scenic marshlands are available for guided tours to spot flamingos and other wildlife inhabiting the surrounding park. For nightlife, lacking in this desolate part of the world, the resort features performances, dances, live music, and DJ nights.

With stylish rooms and luxurious balconies that overlook a beautiful lagoon, this upscale converted farmhouse, just 2 km (1 mile) from deserted beaches, is a perfect escape from the rigors of horseback riding and bird-watching. Outside are acres of sculpted land, inside is comfort personified: cool elegance, plush carpets, large baths, and efficient service. Every Saturday night Roma musicians play flamenco in the lovely bar area. Sprawl out in front of the large stone fireplace and drink in the splendid views over the Camargue. Dive into a mean leg of roasted lamb or savor the tender catch of the day after a refreshing dip in the large heated pool. And all the while, you can feel consciously green: the Mas is fully equipped with state-of-the-art solar panels and geothermal power.

Sleek, with stunning 360-degree views of the bay and the islands, this white-on-white hotel features designs by Starck, Zanotta, and Emu. The huge windows make for a light-filled reception area, the saltwater pool is fed by a natural spring, and the rooms are up-to-the-minute in style. Specialties of the good modern restaurant include rack of lamb basted with olive tapenade and black grain mustard and sea bass baked with Provençal vegetables.

A stay at one of this property's intimate cabanons—traditional fisherman's cottages—gets you the full Mediterranean experience of endless sea and sun just outside your door. Tucked away in Les Goudes, a tiny fishing village in a seaside calanque (inlets along the coast between Marseille and Cassis in the rugged Calanques National Park) on the outskirts of Marseille, you'll feel a world away, and yet you'll still have everything you need at hand—the Tuba club, a chic seafood restaurant, the lively beachfront Bikini bar, and private terraces to soak in the sea and sun at your leisure.