Fodor's Expert Review Cacharel Hôtel

A haven for nature lovers, this quiet, laid-back retreat is nestled in the middle of 170 acres of private marshland. The Wild West-like ranch setting is enhanced by simple whitewashed buildings with equally simple guest rooms; they're furnished with terra-cotta tiles, jute rugs, and white cotton throws, and large picture windows gaze out over hauntingly beautiful stretches of rose-color reeds. High-tech has found its way here, too, as each room has a TV and Wi-Fi. The cavernous dining hall with Provençal chairs and an enormous hand-carved fireplace is a gathering place for sharing stories, local wine, and a hearty plate of selected meats, fresh tomatoes, and regional goat cheese.