5 Best Hotels in Provence, France

Behind a locked gate at this sprawling property five minutes from Châteauneuf-du-Pape center, contemporary, wooden eco-cabanes sit beside, just over, or even on top of a secluded emerald-green lake. Each chic cabin is slightly different, but all have decks at least as large or larger than the indoor space and all provide enough style and amenities (most have a sauna or hot tub) for them to feel like far more than just rustic cabins in the woods. Healthy gourmet dinners (served cold) and breakfasts are delivered to your cabin via golf cart at your desired hour. You can enjoy hiking paths, a large pool, and a treatment room with a full range of spa offerings.

In a complete departure from traditional Provençal chic, each of this contemporary property's individually decorated houses features the work of top designers and artists; all the units also have private terraces, and some have small private pools. The most exotic decor is in the Maison du Voyageur with its stuffed tiger, zebra skin, and antler sofa, while the Maison des Lointains has a barbed-wire chandelier, suggestive black-and-white photos, and stone baths. Perfect for two, the stunning Nature Suites offer seclusion with a private yard, sun deck, and a steam room or sauna. The hotel's two dining options include La Loggia gastronomic dining room and Le Platane bistro for lingering over a gourmet-rustic lunch. Both use the bounty of the hotel's extensive gardens to create dishes expressive of Provence. From the swimming pool and the stepped garden patios, admire dramatic views of the countryside; there is also an indoor pool should the fierce mistral winds strike. Be sure to check the website for last-minute deals, especially in the off-season. 

Set amid gentle rolling hills, elegant gardens, and 90 sun-drenched acres of vineyards (from which the Aureto estate wine is produced), this upscale hideaway—with several historic country houses restored to designer perfection—is perfect whether you want a relaxing spa or wine-tasting getaway or a more active escape of hiking through vineyards or biking on one of the hotel's Swiss-made mountain bikes. Take in the breathtaking vineyard and mountain views from your private terrace or one of several expansive garden patios, relax in the whirlpool tub, or indulge in a restorative treatment at the state-of-the-art spa before enjoying a sumptuous all-truffle dinner at Le Gourmet restaurant. For more casual dining there's also a gourmet bistro and the Jardin dans les Vignes terrace restaurant in summer.

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.

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.