Fodor's Expert Review Baumanière Les Baux-de-Provence

Spread over five historic buildings just outside the village of Les Baux, guest rooms at this fabled hotel—sheltered by rocky cliffs and set amid formal landscaped terraces and gardens—are the last word in Provençal chic: breezy, private, and beautifully furnished. Everyone, it seems, has headed to this oasis for some quintessential luxe Provençal pampering, from Queen Elizabeth to Elizabeth Taylor to A-list artists. The rooms are regularly refurbished and the property recently added sumptuous villas of a more contemporay design. At the hotel's two-Michelin-star Oustau restaurant, chef Jean-André Charial, grandson of the founder, continues to attract culinary pilgrims who revel in his pure yet subtle menu; Cabro d'Or bistro is a lovely casual place for less pricey dining. Detox the following day with a massage at the spa, or enjoy a swim in one of the three pools or a round of golf. On-site activities include cooking classes, wine or olive oil tastings, and a tour of the kitchen garden, where 30% of the restaurant's ingredients are grown.