Bien Loin d'Ici, Nîmes, France - Explore & Book
"Charles Baudelaire’s enigmatic poem Bien Loin d’ici ('Far, far from here') beautifully describes a maiden sleeping in a distant chamber where winds and waters sing afar. As the doors to Bien Loin d’Ici swing open in front of us, the poem's inspiration becomes immediately clear: we are greeted with the smell of Provencal lavender, the sight of dragonflies gliding between poppies, and the sound of water lapping at the edge of a pool. This oh-so-romantic bolthole is the epitome of laidback rural luxury. Surrounded by trees and hidden among the hills above the glistening ancient city of Nîmes, it was created by Manuel, a former Parisian engineer, for the purpose of providing total escapism for romantic couples. Each of its three chic wooden lodges is uniquely designed with sumptuous beds and utterly private sprawling terraces boasting sunken Jacuzzis and saunas. The hotel has impressive eco credentials (it's Green Key certified), the garden is bursting with colour and the infinity pool beckons for late night dips. Breakfast is brought to your door each morning and the pool bar is stocked with locally-produced wines and champagnes. By the end of our stay, we felt far, far away from the bustle of modern life, and we couldn’t have been happier. Highs This is the height of luxury with the atmosphere of a laidback B&B The garden is stunning: we loved lazing by the pool among the lavender, aloe vera and olive trees The region is rich in history and culture, and you could happily spend weeks exploring We adored the mix of wood and stone, blended with modern design pieces and French flourishes The three lodges are genuinely unique and incredibly eco-friendly Lows There’s no on-site restaurant, so you’ll have to venture to Nîmes or (further afield) Uzès for meals Some may find the breakfast choice limited, but if you’re staying for more than a few days Manuel will adapt the offerings You’ll need a car to make the most of the area It’s very popular, so you’ll need to book ahead A small country road passes the property, and the sounds of occasional cars can be heard by the pool" - Emily McDonnell
