Provence & the French Riviera Guidebook
Best and worst accommodations:
Best: Hotel du Globe, Aix-en-Provence
Why: Friendly, helpful service Modest, clean , a good value with breakfast.
Worst: Hotel Le Manoir, Aix en Provence
Why: Hot, stuffy, masses of mosquitoes when one opened the window to get air. No fans. Very unkind, rude and unhelpful front desk person. He implied that I lied about the air conditioning at the Hotel du Globe. My child got over 50 mosquito bites in one short night and the front desk person acted like I had no right to complain. I spent the whole night trying to kill mosquitoes. The concierge offered no help and no compensation for a miserable hot, buggy night. It was late and we were leaving the country early the next morning or I would have attempted a plan B. I would never ever recommend this person or his establishment. It was the worst service I have ever experienced. This man epitomized the most contemptible personality one could imagine. Its lucky my child did not contract malaria or West Nile or I would go after him with a lawyer.
Linda in Boulder, CO USA 09/02/2011
Best: Auberge du Presbytere
Why: Very cool funky rooms on a lovely little square. Whitewashed walls, original artwork, quirky furniture and books, and intoxicating lavender smell when you open the windows! Great restaurant and friendly service too.
Sara in Philadelphia, PA USA 07/28/2011
Best: La Ferme Degoutaud (near Malaucene)
Why: Veronique and her husband were very friendly. The simple breakfast included just-picked cherries.
Worst: Domaine des Tilleuls (in Malaucene) and Hotel Reves d'Ocres (Roussillon)
Why: It's incorrect to say this place has Wi-Fi. We had to ask track down Arnaould to have him turn on the router. He was not very adept at getting it running. And then we were told that the Wi-Fi is turned off about 9:30pm as the office closes then and the router is turned off. Why the router is turned off is incomprehensible. And why they don't have repeaters throughout the small building is also hard to understand. Further, we didn't find the owners very friendly and they were never in the office, which meant we had to go searching for them.
Runner up worst is the Hotel Reves d'Ocres. There was a big rainstorm the night we were there. Our celiing (room 15) leaked in two places. We heard our neighbors (room 14) complaining that there were several ceiling leaks right over their bed! We asked the manager if would could show him where the leaks were (as there was no visible clues), and he said "no." He apologized for the "small problem" and that was that.
Robin in Menlo Park, CA USA 06/17/2011
Best: Bonnieux and St Remy
Why: Le Clos Du Buis in Bonnieux and Mas Des Tourterelles in St Remy were wonderful B&B's. Good breakfasts, helpful owners and comfortable rooms. Free parking too.
Judy Johnson in Alexandria, MN USA 04/25/2011
Best: La Ferme Degoutaud and Hotel de la Muette, Arles
Why: Friendly, comfortable lodgings. Well located and a reasonable price. Also the hosts were helpful and friendly in telling us about local sites and attractions.
We stayed at Hotel Belle Meuniere in Nice. In contrast to the other two Belle Meuniere was older, smaller so it paled in comparison. Mme. Marie-Pierre Arnaud was exactly as you described, lively, personable, very helpful so she made up for the physical constraints in terms of her helpfulness and welcome
Warren Lo in Columbus, OH USA 04/03/2011
Best: Terrific Provence B&B - La Ferme De'goutaud
Why: We had a glorious stay with Madame Veronique at her homey B&B near Suzette (Rick Steves Provence and the French Riviera-2010). Mid-October in the Cotes du Rhone couldn't get any better. 16th century famhouse run by a family that maintains a real farm with vineyards, fruit orchards, vegetable gardens, goats, ducks, pigeons, and of course, dogs and cats. Veronique makes all of her own preserves, tapenades, pesto, etc. Tucked away between Suzette and Malaucene, we would go back in a heartbeat. Woody Kloesel Asheville, NC USA 11/26/2010
Woody Kloesel in Asheville, NC USA 11/26/2010
Best: Le Pont des Aubes Chambres in L'Isle sur la Sorgue
Why: Thank you for introducing us to Martine & Patrice-they're delightful. We spent four nights in one of their apartments. The location on the river and next to the boulangerie was perfect.
Brenda in San Diego, CA USA 10/19/2010
Best: Chambres Clerissy in Moustiers-Ste-Marie
Why: Loved it! We stayed three nights in the room with the walled rooftop terrace. The room was very comfortable and a bargain at 47 euros/night.
Brenda in San Diego, CA USA 10/19/2010
Best: Hotel Reves d' Ocres
Why: this was a lovely old updated hotel with a fantastic veiw and FREE parking...and very reasonable..Loved the city!!!
Worst: B&B in Arles with Erik Vedel
Why: It was called cuisineprovencale.com a cooking school as well as a B&B..It was filthy and unsanitary. Used soap left in the bath, old food left in the room, dishes left in the kitchen sink for days, food left on the stove in pans for days, breakfast served in dirty dishes and cups..could go on and on....We stayed 3 days!! and all of the other Rick Steves travelers there with us felt the same way...
Jeanette in Cincinnati, Oh USA 10/18/2010
Worst: Hotel
Why: Hotel Les Cigales in Nice - "plush accommodations"... Really???? Did they pay you to write this? Did you actually sleep in the hotel? This place sucks and is really not worthy of 3 stars nor a recommendation in your book. We've stayed at better Super 8s in US roadsides! About the only thing going for it is it was clean and attendants helpful. The bed was rock hard, there is absolutely NO water pressure (trickle shower), the water temperature fluctuates from chilled to scalding hot every 3 seconds, and worse, the walls are paper thin - we can hear EVERYTHING in the next room... yep, we heard that too! We've taken some wonderful vacations in the past, but you've really let us down this time Rick! =(
Ruben in San Joce, CA USA 10/15/2010
Worst: St. George Hotel in Nice, France
Why: Think you need to take another look at this hotel. While Hussein is still very friendly the hotel is just not the quality it may have been at one time. Did not stand up to the standards of any of your other recommendations.
Joan in Magalia, CA USA 10/10/2010
Best: Hotel Regence
Why: We found the Hotel Regence to be in a perfect location in Arles and the staff to be very helpful. Rooms were clean and quiet and we highly recommend it.
Dawn USA 09/20/2010
Best: Hotel D'Arlatan in Arles
Why: Unique hotel with ruins that can be seen from the lobby. Pool area is secluded and beautiful. There is a great courtyard to hang out for wine/snacks. Room was big but the furniture needs upgrading.
Worst: Hotel Relax in Marseilles
Why: Tiny. No lift and our room was on the 5th floor. Very nice people but just too tiny.
Amy Shearer in Baltimore, MD USA 09/19/2010
Best: Mas des Carassins
Why: Very friendly and helpful hosts, beautiful grounds with two large swimming pools, comfortable rooms, delicious and reasonable dinners and buffet breakfasts served in a lively terrace setting.
Barbara in Simsbury, CT USA 08/24/2010
Best: Le Calendal
Why: Location, service, price.
Lev in Gainesville, Fl USA 07/24/2010
Best: Restaurant/Chambres Clerissy in Moustiers-Ste-Marie
Why: Very nice clean, cheery rooms at attractive price, extra breakfast typical French, restaurant good. Parking was a little complicated because there were a lot of people in town, but once we found a spot and walked to the place, the people told us about a closer lot. We could have gotten there with our suitcases from the lot, but since we were only staying one night we put our overnight stuff in our backpacks and left our suitcases in the car. That worked fine. It was a nice quiet location opposite an artist's showroom. Moustiers is a great town, worth a least several hours or half a day.
Jinny in St. Louis, MO USA 07/08/2010
Best: Auberge des Seguins in Buoux, The Frog's House in St-Jeannet
Why: Auberge des Sequins is in a fantastic location in a canyon like one of the smaller ones in the the American West--simple rooms in rock buildings dating from the 13th to the 20th(?) century under a huge cliff. Supposed to be half pension, but I asked the hostess if we could take dinner and breakfast for one evening and morning and then just pay for the room the other 2, and she said "sure." We ate the next two picnic suppers outside our room. It's off the beaten path but has own parking; near Bonnieux, Lacoste, Oppede, Isle-sur-la-Sorgue and Roussillon (over winding roads). The Frog's House had pleasant rooms in a small, quiet town above Nice. Easy parking, very enthusiastic and helpful hosts who speak good English. Good included breakfast with fruit. A good base for visiting the inland Riviera. We ate lunch out some days and had a picnic supper outside at a breakfast table at the B&B.
Jinny Danzer in St. Louis, MO USA 07/02/2010
Worst: Hotel Regence, Arles
Why: We contacted this hotel months ago and were assured of reservations. Once I sent credit card information, I was no longer able to communicate. After sending numerous emails for confirmation, I finally broke down and called today only to find the number has been disconnected. You'd think if the business was closing they'd let their guests know.
Pearl USA 07/01/2010
Best: Le Mas du Loriot
Why: Definitely lived up to your recommendation. Perfect central location for the entire Luberon area. Spent 6 nights and could ahve used more time. Alain and Christine were very helpful and their dinners wonderful.
Worst: Le Mas D'Aigret
Why: Exterior is shaby and needs sprucing up. Room was fine (especially the bathroom). The hostess offered no suggestions when asked for dinner recommendations in either Mausanne or Paradou; probably because she wanted us to eat there. We managed to find good places on our own in Mausanne and Fontvielles, and refused to eat in our hotel.
Terry Lapierre in Mableton, GA USA 06/08/2010
Best: Hotel Villa Victoria in Nice
Why: Very friendly/attentive service, big room/bathroom by French standards, comfy bed, spotless room/bathroom, beautiful garden, delicious breakfast, free coffee in afternoon, quiet. Great location.
Worst: Hotel Boquier in Avignon
Why: I hate saying anything negative about this hotel because the owners, Sylvie and Pascal Sendra, were wonderful. They speak excellent English, are very approachable and friendly, gave us all the bus/train info, hooked us up with a tour, and made reservations for us at superb restaurants. Great location away from the busy Palace and very well priced.
We were in room #10 on the third floor (2nd in France). The beds were big and comfy and there was air con.
Now for the negatives. The bathroom had mold and mildew all over it and the towels smelled as though they had been used for a year and then washed with no soap in cold water. They only change towels every three days and both sets were disgusting. Toiletries were sparse...no soap for the shower and a little packet of shampoo.
We read reports about the nightmare spiral staircase but decided to book 5 nights there anyway. Thankfully, Pascal offered to take our bags up for us. It would have been difficult otherwise. Doable, but difficult. We did travel by train and haul bags around, but the stairs were dangerous. Pascal carried them down for us at the end of our stay, but he did appear to be put-out by the request.
The 8 euro breakfast was okay. Not much offered, and the croissants weren't very good. They tasted like they had been frozen. In France, really?
Overall, if the towels would have been clean, our stay would have been well worth it. Seems like such an easy thing to fix.
Kerrie Giesen in Webster, NY USA 05/18/2010
Worst: Hotel Splendid in Avignon
Why: I would urge people to avoid this hotel. The staff is nice and the reception area is classy for a budget hotel, but the rooms are terrible. The plumbing smelled. Whenever I flushed the toilet, black gunk came out of the shower drain. I refused to even step into the shower and changed hotels the next day. Also, my pillow case was filthy. I stay in budget hotels all the time, so I know what to expect. This was below standard.
S.W. in London, UK 05/16/2010
Best: L'Eveche in Vaison la Romaine
Why: In Vaison-la-Romaine we stayed at L'Eveche on the recommendation of your guidebook. When we arrived there were no rooms because they had written down our arrival wrong (for the following week). They (the Verdiers) checked the e-mail and admitted that we were right. They gave us their best room (the Solanum) and our stay of three days was free. I said 'Impossible!' (it was only a little snafu) but M. Verdier insisted. We saved about $350.00. We have two small criticisms of L'Eveche. They should rethink the old books thing: they have moths. It would be better and more comfortable if they cleaned out all that old paper. Also they're using a grade of lumber for the top floor of the Solanum which is not intended for indoor use and it should be covered at the very least. But the Verdier's honesty and integrity is really outstanding.
Robert Consoli in Sunnyvale, CA USA 04/27/2010
Worst: really ?
Why: nothing. Close to perfect.
HAGEGE EDWARD in HONG KONG , HK HONG KONG 04/24/2010
Best: Hotel Regence in Arles, Hotel les Terrasses du Bassin, Hotel le Clos des Aromes, B & B Nice Home Sweet Home
Why: Very friendly and gracious hosts
jill in durall, CT USA 04/18/2010
Best: Hotel Regence in Arles, Hotel les Terrasses du Bassin, Hotel le Clos des Aromes, B & B Nice Home Sweet Home
Why: Very friendly and gracious hosts
jill in durall, CT USA 04/18/2010
Best: Hotel La Fete en Provence in Vaison la Romaine
Why: Clean, cute, quaint, great location.
Heather in Olympia, WA USA 03/21/2010
Best: le Clos de la Glycine
Why: large, pleasant rooms and efficient staff.
Mark Cullen in Vancouver, BC canada 03/21/2010
Best: our Riviera Pebbles rental apt for 10 nights!
Why: Our home away from home was in a Belle Epoque building and furnished with mostly antique French Provincial furniture. The beds and bedding were new and good quality. See the photos of our rue Congres apt on the RivieraPebbles.com website.
G. Sellers in Melbourne Beach, FL USA 02/09/2010
Best: Les Florets, Gigondas
Why: While my wife and I traveled around Provence and the French Riviera this summer (June-July, 2009), we stayed at several hotels and had dinner at several restaurants by following Rick's suggestions. We realized that Rick's suggestions are always right and among them Les Florets is the best hotel and restaurant. We did have a memorable stay and dinner. Thank you very much, Thierry of Les Florets, and, of course, Rick!
Ryoji Matsumoto in Funabashi, Chiba, Japan 12/20/2009
Best: Hote du Musee in Arles
Why: Good breakfast, lovely courtyard, large rooms (small bathroom although), good beds, very helpful owners.
Worst: Hotel Lawrence in Cassis
Why: Good location, small room, extremely small bathroom whose shower curtain collapsed each morning, good beds.
Art / Karyn Lougheed in Markham, ON Candada 11/01/2009
Best: le Mazet des Alpilles , Paradou
Why: Location was quiet but central for many day trips. Hostess was caring and helpful. The home (B&B) was a pleasure to look at with its blue shutters and lovely garden.
Jacquie Moffett in Laguna Beach, CA USA 10/17/2009
Best: Mercure Pont D'Avignon, Avignon
Why: Excellent accomdation, extremely helpful front desk staff, who went out of their way and helped us to arrange delivery of our bags lost by the airline, even after we had checked out. They arranged delivery and held these for us, until we were able to return to Avignon to collect them.
Dr. Naseer Ahmad in Los Angeles,, CA USA 10/14/2009
Best: Nice Mercure "marche aux fleurs"/Hotel Burrhus Vaison la Romaine
Why: THEEE best service with all the staff in both places! I have medication that needs to be kept cold. They were very accomadating and helpful. Vaison let me use their spare fridge and Mercure supplied fresh ice whenever I needed it.
Worst: Hotel Mer, Nice France
Why: Should be called "Hotel Merde"!!Unfortunatly, we cancelled our travel plans SEVERAL MONTHS BEFORE the reserved date in 2005 as a result of a family tragedy. They still charged us a night's stay of $125.oo for canceling. I could see if it was a few days before, but a few months??? Having heard terrible reviews about this place about it's cleanliness and hygiene, we are thankful we didn't end up staying here! this should be removed from Rick's book all together!!
Jeff & Di Lindquist in Reseda, Ca USA 10/09/2009
Best: le beffroi! le calendal.
Why: le beffroi is an amazing place. i felt like i was a princess in a castle. the staff is unbelievable accommodating. i would advise that you recommend that people bring back wine from one of their tastings during the day with some cheese and enjoy on the wonderful outdoor patio/terrace overlooking the village. le calendal in arles (like the rest of the town) could use a little update, but it was fine. we had a room with a balcony. the internet access and deli-ish counter in the lobby are nice.
Worst: arles
Why: just the town overall. i think it's seen much better days.
s. elizabeth in philadelphia, pa USA 10/05/2009
Best: L'Évêché in Vaison-la-romaine, Provence
Why: great hosts, very clean room, great breakfast, located in the cité médiévale.
Worst: Maison d'Hôtes en Provence, Arles
Why: No double beds, no locking doors on rooms, very sparse furnishings. Seems to have closed since we were there in Sept,2008
Louis in Lorraine, PQ Canada 09/27/2009
Best: Hotel Regence, Arles
Why: Extremely clean, comfortable, air-conditioning worked very well. Great value for the money.
Sharron Stevens in Oberstaufenbach, Germany 07/25/2009
Best: L'Ermitage, LeCrestet near Vaison La Romain
Why: Although this has been removed from recent editions of the Provence guidebook because the owners have it for sale, Nick Jones still does a great job as host. Our party of four had a suite with a kitchen and Nick's dry humor and geniality made the stay perfect.
Scott Hudson in Cincinnati, OH USA 07/10/2009
Best: Mas du Petit Grava, B&B near Arles
Why: We spent three wonderful nights here. The grounds are beautiful and our room was very quiet and comfortable. Both Jim and Ike knew the area very well and were able to give us great suggestions (complete with driving instructions) of things to see and do. Jim is a Van Gogh expert. He gave us a fascinating tour of the Van Gogh sites and the Roman antiquities in Arles. Ike is an excellent cook and provided a great breakfast every morning.
Don & Conni Smith in Albuquerque, NM USA 06/05/2009
Best: Le Clos du Rempart
Why: We stayed for a week and loved it. Madame Assad was very welcoming, helpful and a wonderful hostess. The price was very reasonable - 650e for 7 nights in the 2 bedroom apartment plus a 50e cleaning fee. This included the use of the garage and the terrace plus the apartment. The apartment was immaculate, bright and airy, spacious and had a good size bathroom and great refrigerator, plus there was free wi-fi. The apt. was a great base for discovering Provence. The location of the apt in Avignon was great for getting in and out of the walled city. We loved it too!
Kathy Casey in Barrington, IL USA 03/15/2009