Domaine Gao

We've had a dinner for 27 persons and 7 of them stayed at the hotel. Thanks to Anais and all the team, we managed to organize it very fast and all the guests have highly appreciated the time spent at the restaurant, the quality of the menu and the kindness of all the staff. The rooms are spacious and beautifully decorated.

I booked this hotel for 2 nights rest and relaxation prior to our extended family coming out to join us (elsewhere) for a week. The booking was based on previous reviews and the photos which showed lovely comfy chairs in the garden in two separate spacious areas to relax. There are at least 3 separate areas to park and we chose the wrong one and walked up through the garden but no-one seemed interested in telling us where to go (very odd). The other thing we noticed was that there was a busy fully stocked and large bar in the garden and a DJ with thumping loud music. After we had checked in, we found NO-WHERE quiet to escape the noise. Continuing along this theme, this “music” changed to loud Trance music throughout dinner. After dinner we went straight to bed as we couldn’t bear the noise. Lo and behold, more music at breakfast and no- where to escape! Observing the demographic of people resident, we were obviously in the minority so fair enough, some people like this sort of atmosphere. What is inexcusable is not advertising on the website that this is what customers will find or/and, not providing at least one small space noise free to cater for different tastes. ||As for the building. There are some renovations going on next to the dining room. There was nothing homely, charming or stylish about the property. I have included a photo of the shockingly shabby stairway. Our room was the smallest, pokeyest, darkest room I have ever had in all my years travelling. We had to put a small table outside (and the kettle on the table in the bathroom) as we didn’t have room to open our suitcases. There was no decoration or anything of interest in the room and it was not a place you would want to be unless you were asleep. |We had the opportunity to stay with a friend for our second night and we gladly took it, foregoing the pre-payment I had made for the room. I had paid €330 for 2 nights (with a Booking.com genius discount) and it was daylight robbery. |The person on the desk in the morning was not sympathetic to feedback. We almost had an argument when she tried to charge for breakfast. The receptionist on check-in had told me we could have breakfast for free if we didn’t stay the second night as I had pre-paid the tourist tax for 2 nights. The receptionist on checkout seemed to question that I wasn’t telling the truth.|There was a disconnect between who worked for the hotel and who worked for the restaurant. Food in the restaurant was so so. My husband enjoyed the steak (€39 for one course), I found it too grisly. We shared a dessert which we both found horrible. No one came back to our table to ask if we wanted more drinks. ||Would I recommend anything at all about this hotel - no.

We stayed at Domaine Gao for one night in July in order to see whether this could be our wedding venue. The location is nice, close to Aix en Provence and very quiet. The room we stayed in (Deluxe/Superior room) was spacious and clean, the food at the restaurant was great and the staff friendly and acommodating. However, as we wanted to proceed planning our wedding at Domaine Gao, things got complicated. The event manager would not respond to our request even before our visit at Domaine Gao. After our visit communication was still very difficult, as she does not speak any English and did not make any effort to use translators or involve someone to assist her whilst communicating via mail. Just before we wanted to do the down-payment, she came up with additional cost which have never been mentioned before. We found a solution, but due to the poor communication, we insisted on having an written agreement on all the included service for our booking. The event manager did again - not answer for a week to then let us know that they are not able to sign the agreement which we provided. To our proposal that we could of course amend the agreement which was a first draft, we never received any answer. Long story short, the event manager decided to "ghost" us and we decided to celebrate our wedding at a different venue. Such a pitty for the venue itself, but who wants to celebrate their wedding under such circumstances. Can't recommend for not French speaking guests to try and plan an event there - and for the ones that speak French - good luck with the event manager :-)

The hotel itself is lovely. The room was cute and clean. Not as much grounds around the hotel as I expected. The pool, the main reason I booked the hotel was closed. It did not say on the website the pool would be closed when I booked my stay. The hotel and restaurant seem to have a disconnect. It seems that the restaurant is more important than the hotel. Having to book reservations for meals at the restaurant a month prior to arrival was annoying as when exploring a new place you want to have some flexibility in when you want to eat. I booked a lunch for the Sunday I was there and the day I arrived I received an email that the menu had changed and the only option for lunch was a four course sharing type meal for 49 euro. I cannot eat a four course meal for lunch. I asked if there was any way they could accommodate 1 person and just one dish. No, not possible. I did not have a car so asked if there were any restaurants within walking distance open. They gave me directions to a small village about a 20 min walk away. Walk to town thru a field get somewhat lost but whatever find it eventually. NOTHING is open in this village because it is Sunday. They could have let me in on this small point! After waking around for an hour trying to find anything open I headed back. During my walk back an elderly man asked if I needed help and then ended up trying to kiss and grope me. After getting away from him I continued on my way but after many more hours than planned away from the hotel I needed to use a washroom and had to go in the field. When I got back to the hotel all I wanted to do was go for a swim and relax by the pool. Sorry it’s closed. Argh!! I was fairly rude to the staff that told me this which I feel badly about but after having nothing to eat, being accosted by a creepy old French guy and having to use a field as a washroom I was at my wits end. Moral of the story don’t stay at this place unless you have a car to drive to other places if you don’t want to eat at the hotel.

We visited Domaine Gaogaïa earlier this month for a long weekend. From the moment we arrived, we felt very welcome. The rooms were clean and spacious, with a charming country house feel. We enjoyed a glass of wine on the terrace, overlooking the domaine — a truly peaceful moment. Breakfast was lovely too, hosted in their restaurant space, with a nice variety of options. The pastries were a little lackluster and the bowls and plates weren’t always the most practical, but overall, it was delicious. We also had the chance to dine at their restaurant, Gaodina, which was delightful. The menu is small but features quality ingredients. The service was a bit slow, and there was a minor mishap when a tray of drinks was spilled, but aside from that, it was a thoroughly enjoyable evening in a beautiful setting. A few small notes for the room: it would be great to have shampoo and conditioner in the bathroom, and larger mugs at the tea and coffee station to make a proper cup of tea. If you're looking for a laid-back stay close to Aix-en-Provence and within reach of other destinations, I would definitely recommend Domaine Gaogaïa. Just note that having a car is essential.

Look, the place is gorgeous. The restaurant is wonderful. But the staff? Mostly terrible. There was one very nice woman working at the front desk but everyone else treated us like we were a nuisance, or worse. We were told by a very harsh woman that eating in our room was "forbidden" despite the fact that there are NO restaurants within a 10 minute drive (besides the hotel's, which costs at least 70 euros for two people). Eventually, we convinced them to give us plates and silverware but the back-and-forth was ridiculous. Then my partner injured himself at the gym, skinning his leg. We asked if we could have a bandage. (Not medicine, JUST a bandage.) The woman at the front desk told us "sorry, we don't have those for guests, just employees." Again, what?? I thought, as a hotel, you have to at least have things in case of emergencies with guests, no? Guess not here. The vineyards nearby are beautiful, it's very rustic, blah blah...but what will stick with me is just how horribly we were treated. Never again.

This place was perfect on every level: the staff was incredibly friendly and helpful, the food was delicious, the room was very comfortable and clean, and the setting was magnificent. I also proposed to my girlfriend at the site, as it was so magical, and they made the whole experience more special than words can describe. We will visit regularly moving forward for big anniversaries. Thank you!

I spent 4 nights at the Domaine Gaogaïa and had such a pleasant stay. One of the reasons I chose to stay at the hotel was for its unique grounds and stunning architecture and every expectation was met above and beyond. Their staff are super friendly and accommodating - there is preference given to guests of the hotel in regards to booking tables for lunch and dinner l at the restaurant! But as they recommend, book in advance because the restaurant is very popular - and for good reason! I was really impressed with how sustainable and luxurious the restaurant and hotel are!! Their continental breakfast has everything that you could want… and each of the restaurant spaces are beautiful. I didn’t get the chance to use the pool, but I hope to visit again - and when I do, I’ll definitely take the opportunity to go for a swim!