Airelles Gordes, La Bastide

"An elegant hotel in Gordes known for its stunning views and sophisticated ambiance." - Monica Mendal

"Surrounded by ancient olive trees, dry stone walls, and a view that just cannot be beat, this luxe 100-foot pool in the South of France will amaze you. Guests can enjoy the glorious sun with a cocktail in hand while they laze about on one of the comfortable loungers under a parasol, or they can take a dip in the pool itself to cool off after a long day of rest and relaxation. From your perch, it's easy to take in the views of neighboring villages and surrounding mountains."

"The France-based Airelles collection of hotels is known for dreaming up prestigious properties in historic destinations; this one in the ancient hilltop town of Gordes in the Luberon is among its most iconic. Here, 18th-century Provence lives on—literally. It’s woven into the decor, which is full of antique furniture and accessories sourced from nearby L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue markets and ancestral portraits and floral wallpaper. Staff wear either earth-toned culottes and vests with straw hats or floral bodices and flowy beige skirts. On the hotel’s sprawling terrace, a showstopping swimming pool—easily one of the most spectacular hotel pools in France—is surrounded by dry stone walls and century-old olive and cypress trees, which makes each lap feel downright cinematic. (Adults will be happy to know there is a separate small pool for children and another pool in the spa.) Dining is taken just as seriously as wellness, with seven on-site restaurant options. The hotel is a five-minute walk from the main part of town, which includes an outpost of Jean-François Piège’s popular Parisian restaurant Clover." - Lindsey Tramuta, Mary Winston Nicklin

"Set the scene.Classified as one of France’s prettiest villages, Gordes’ tourist-targeted over-gentrification might be off-putting, yet La Bastide de Gordes rises above all jaded categorization as you as step inside the lobby. Though the plush 18th-century décor feels slightly overdone, the handpicked antiques are the real thing from nearby l’Isle-sur-la Sorgue. Highlights include bewitching views of the Lubéron valley from every nook of the terraced gardens and dining spaces, and the west-facing rooms. The ultra-attentive staff, clad in cumbersome 18th-century Provencal costumes—flowered vests, corseted bodices, and puffy long skirts, and straw boater hats for men—set the mood: unabashedly romantic, yet surprisingly family-friendly. What’s the story?Ever since 1948, when the resident artist Victor Vasarely put Gordes on the map, the town has welcomed political bigwigs, French presidents, artists, and musicians. When the hotel changed hands in 2014, interior designer Christophe Tollemer stepped in, redecorating in the palest shades of straw yellow and olive green, and refurbishing dramatic staircases, along with pared down bone-white corridors and wood, in the spirit of the nearby Abbaye Notre-Dame-de-Sénanque. Yes, the garden cloister arches are brand new, but the seamless blend of old and fake old really works. What can we expect from our room?The 34 rooms and six suites are a subdued medley of antique chairs, polished wood writing desks, leather-bound books, terra cotta tiled-floors, and deeply comfortable beds skirted with muted Provençal fabrics. The over-abundance of 18th-century portraits—stern-faced matrons and whiskered men—staring at you may be unnerving at times, but it’s all part of the ambience. Well-thought details include old-fashioned porcelain light switches and a TV hidden behind a large gilded mirror; tall windows open out onto the valley with a reverie-inspiring view. How about the food and drink?A sure-fire crowd-pleaser, the latest addition to the restaurant choices is Clover, a variation on the mini-Parisian empire of healthy modern French dishes run by celebrity chef Jean-François Piège, with a guilt-free menu of terroir food. Highlights include the amuse-bouche whipped eggplant with pine nuts; perfectly cooked John Dory with spicy fig sauce, and the chef’s signature spin on churros, which are feather-light and topped with chocolate and vanilla ice cream. Families may opt for the simpler regional specialties at L’Orangerie, but serious foodies can while away the hours on the dining terrace at the more formal gastronomic La Citadelle, or take a break from the 18th century for an evening at the snazzy contemporary Asian restaurant TIGrr, with a live DJ. Breakfast, though not included, is a hearty affair, with standouts that include baked apples stuffed with dried fruit, homemade gingerbread, and thick wedges of French toast. Anything to say about the service?Smooth, efficient, and impeccable, though at times, stiffly formal. Should you leap up for a second helping at the breakfast buffet, a waiter brandishing a fresh starched napkin will whisk it back into your lap upon your return. The concierge organizes a variety of excursions that range from chugging along the countryside roads in a vintage Citroën to visits to olive oil mills and vineyards. What sort of person comes here?Summertime Provence draws a coterie of chic international crowd—bronzed French industrialists with stubble beards, panama hats, and linen-shirts; Americans from Connecticut in their Calvin Klein khaki shorts and baseball caps; smartly dressed fit European couples who are die-hard cyclists and own holiday homes in the area. What’s the neighborhood scene like?The village boutiques scattered along the sloping cobblestone alleys are just a five-minute stroll away, and offer the standard unremarkable Provence souvenirs—traditional fabrics, yellow pottery, straw bags, and sweet-smelling soaps. If you’re looking for high-end local products, La Bastide de Gordes’ own shop features exclusive olive oils, like the pricey liquid gold from Chateau d’Estoublon, as well as delicious jams from the Airelles Collection. For more authentic finds, explore the villages of nearby Lourmarin, Bonnieux, and Menerbes. Anything you'd change?The walls could be less cluttered with antique portraits of departed anonymous ancestors; the perfectly manicured emerald lawn, not indigenous to the scorching sun of Provence, feels slightly out of place. Anything we missed?Wellness-friendly activities (see: the free mountain bikes) prevail. Describe the spa experience.Designed with the neighboring 12th-century Abbaye de Sénaque in mind, the monkish minimalism—polished dark wood, long, bone-white corridors—add to the unique quality of this attractive space. Surrendering to a relaxing massage with a pungent herbal oil—one treatment among many of Sisley’s top-notch line of Phyto-aromatic beauty products—was in perfect sync with the luxe countryside spirit. A final note: Is it worth it?This spacious hotel has just the right balance of superb terroir cuisine, atmosphere, comfort ,and service that sets it apart from the other smaller Provence hotels in the region." - Lanie Goodman

"Offering breathtaking views of the mountains of Gordes, Airelles is a spa hotel located in one of the most beautiful villages in France. Here, you’ll find olive groves, cypress trees and lavender fields, all perfect backdrops for your travel snapshots. The site features everything from a classic village-style bedroom, to a private villa with a swimming pool."