Upscale guesthouse with pool, whirlpool tubs, local breakfast
"We've found what feels like the holy grail for France-loving holidaymakers: a beautiful, airy and design-focused 17th-century house at the top of a pretty, quiet and untouristy village in Provence. With just 5 simple contemporary-chic rooms, two separate suites, and a stunning infinity pool perched above a limestone gorge, it's the ideal retreat for de-stressing, discovering off-the-beaten-track villages and romantic escapes. This is an authentic French chambres d'hotes, run by the bubbly Elsa and her cycle-mad hubby Arnaud, with help from their daughters and friendly dog Lembo. With its airy shared kitchen-diner and bulging honesty fridges (two of them), the vibe here is sociable, relaxedly chic, and decidedly Francophone. Expect homemade organic breakfasts, flowering gardens with sheltered nooks, spectacular sunsets and night skies, and luxuriously spare rooms with splashes of bold colour from modern paintings. One has a terrace on which you can wheel your bed to sleep under the stars, others come with amazing views of the gorge. You could happily spend a week here exploring this still-unspoiled corner of Vaucluse by foot, bike or car, from Mont Ventoux and the rugged Nesque canyon down to tourist magnets like Avignon and Gordes. Highs The fabulous pool with its plunging views over the Nesque Gorge and sunny sitting spots; perfect for lazy days on a lounger Intimate and romantic, with in-room jacuzzis and no young kids Elsa and Arnaud are wonderful hosts, always eager to help you plan your days and meals out You must book one of their fabulous (and hyper-local) cheese-and-meat platters for dinner by the pool The serene surroundings and sweeping views from every room, fit for a Provençal painter Lows In 5 of the rooms the bathtubs are within the bedroom; for more privacy, book The Flat or Diamantina No restaurant in the village in the winter months, but there are fantastic restaurants a 5-10 minute drive away It helps if you speak some French; but if not, they'll find a way No children aged 1-13 are allowed" - Joyce Copeland
"Even measured against the high standards of luxury lodgings in the French countryside, Metafort shines. The boutique hotel in Provence has two unassailable virtues: its geographic location on the edge of a rocky promontory overlooking the Gorges de la Nesque, and the owners’ thoughtful philosophy when restoring the 17th-century country house. Instead of squeezing in lots of guest rooms, the owners opted to carve out just seven spacious suites, each with a private Jacuzzi and ample lounge space. Some have kitchens and terraces; all are modernist and industrial-chic, with concrete or parquet floors, Scandinavian furnishings, and large bay windows facing the surrounding landscape. The L’Annesque suite, sans wi-fi and television, offers particularly lovely views for those looking to completely disconnect. Rounding out the hotel’s highlights are a gorgeous infinity pool, a breakfast buffet featuring organic fruits and local delicacies, a stylish communal kitchen for guest use, and a bike rental kiosk." - Tablet Hotels
Daniel Sheehan
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Knowmygrub
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Sophie171984
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Bearstu74
