Airelles Gordes, La Bastide
Clinging to the fringes of the town of Gordes with pinch-me views over Provence’s mistral-wind-whipped Luberon valley, Airelles Gordes, La Bastide looks like something out of a medieval French fairytale.
Made up of several historic edifices and ramparts, including some carved into the ivory-hued calcareous rock on which Gordes is perched, the former private home has been beautifully restored into a 40-room hotel.
It’s all utterly French-country chic with artfully chosen tapestries, warm frescoes, wrought-iron railings, Pierre Frey fabrics and terra-cotta floor tiles from the 16th and 18th centuries. The sumptuous interior has ample nooks and crannies to explore, with antique portraits, objets d’art and leather-bound books. A vaulted, 17,000-square-foot spa takes style cues from the many crumbling stone abbeys that pepper this part of Provence. And the bijou pool lawn is the kind of place you’ll dream about long after checkout.
- Thanks to interior designer Christophe Tollemer, each room is impeccably and distinctively outfitted with Provençal charm (like toile fabrics).
- With five dining options at the Provence hotel, you will be spoiled at mealtime. Our favorite dish was the wild squid carbonara at Clover Gordes by French chef Jean-François Piège.
- There’s a whole “kingdom” dedicated to children, which includes a pool, game room and an ever-changing daily program of activities.
- The luxury spa has an indoor swimming pool, hammam, sensory showers and herbal tea shop.
- Framed by swaying cypresses and ancient olive trees, the shimmering swimming pool has some of the best vistas over the rocky valley below. (While there, enjoy some complimentary ice cream and sorbets, a selection that changes seasonally.)
- The seasonal property is closed from November to mid-April. It gets quickly booked up over the summer and during holidays.
- Every Sunday, the onsite L’Orangerie restaurant hosts an opulent, champagne-filled buffet brunch worthy of Marie Antoinette. It’s a hit with the locals, so book in advance.
- Borrow the complimentary e-bikes to explore the surrounding area, which consists of wineries stocked with rosé and the lavender-lined Abbaye Notre-Dame de Sénanque.
- Most people choose to rent a car to get around this part of Provence. There’s a spacious parking lot across from the luxury hotel as well as valet services.
- Each of the village- and valley-facing rooms and suites have their own sense of architectural character, like sloping, wood-beam ceilings, French push-out casement windows and authentic antiques like rich oil paintings, timeworn travel trunks and leather-bound books.
- Marble bathrooms with vintage features like claw-foot bathtubs are well-stocked with bespoke toiletries wafting of summery figs and myrtle.
- With two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a spacious terrace and sitting room, the Duc de Soubise Suite is a standout.
- For extra privacy, there’s La Maison de Constance, a villa with its own pool, sleeping for 10 and a garden.
- L'Orangerie serves bistro-style dishes on the leafy terrace.
- Clover Gordes grill is by acclaimed chef Piège, who has several notable restaurants, including the eponymous Jean-François Piège in Paris’ affluent Golden Triangle section.
- A short walk away, is the buzzy restaurant and lounge TIGrr. There are outposts in Saint-Tropez and Megève.
- Also offsite, La Bastide de Pierres, the most casual option out of the bunch, delivers trattoria offerings.
Babysitting services
Bar
Fitness classes
House car
Indoor pool
Meeting rooms
Outdoor pool
Pet friendly
Restaurants
Spa
