John Ploeg
Google
I was a little worried about this hostel given some of the mixed reviews, but it turned out to be a great experience.
First of all, it is a hostel, not a luxury hotel, so the standards are a little lower. But it seems like most of the bad reviews focus on the place not being clean. Perhaps I just visited at the right time, but I had no problem with cleanliness - I thought for a hostel it was pretty good actually.
I visited in the middle of a pretty harsh heat wave. But, while the room I stayed in wasn't exactly cool, the temperature was pretty bearable. The windows seem to mostly face North and even get some shade, so they avoid being hit with direct sunlight during the day. The hostel is also up on a hill and benefits from a pretty steady breeze (at least it did the 3 nights I was there). It would still be nice if they provided a fan in the rooms, but I've learned that this isn't standard in hostels in Provence, so wasn't surprised that they didn't. I'd packed a tiny, USB fan that I run off a spare phone battery. It's hardly powerful, but it was more than enough to get me by (and I'm not very good at sleeping in the heat).
I was in a dorm with 6 beds, but only had 2 roommates. Both of them were nice, quiet and respectful. I think if we'd had a 4th, and certainly a 5th and/or 6th roommate the space would've been too cramped, but with 3 people it was fine.
The breakfast was standard hostel food - cereal, juice, tartines, instant coffee. There was also an equipped kitchen where you could make your own food.
There was a nice, breezy, shaded picnic area outside. The hostel is right above a large, wooded park, so it feels like you're not really even in a city (indeed a goat would sometimes show up to wander around, and there was an affiliated campsite on the hillside). Inside there were comfortable lounge areas too, which also stayed cool during the heat of the day.
The best part of the hostel was the people. It was a mix of all ages, but everyone was very friendly and got along well. The staff, in particular a fellow named Gilbert, were extremely friendly and fun to talk to.
The one downside is that the reception area is closed from 12h to 17h30, so if you show up during that window you have to wait to check in. The hostel itself stays open all day, though, so you can hang out if needed.
