Page 197 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Provence & The Côte d'Azur

WHERE T O ST A Y  195

many are set in century-old
parks and gardens.
For those travelling with
children, family hotels are the
ideal option. While the romantic
boutique hotels or upmarket
B&Bs with antique furnishings
may refuse guests under a
certain age, most of the family
hotels are quite welcoming,
and may offer interconnecting
rooms. Numerous country
hotels now have annexes
with bungalow apartments
specifically designed for families.
These may be only a few steps
away from the swimming pool.
Classic hotels are generally La Bastide de Voulonne, Cabrières d’Avignon-Gordes (p201)
purpose-built hotels and inns,
many of which are still family- are included in the price, with friendliness of the owners.
run. These establishments are the exception of pension (full Some of the most charming
found in virtually every village board) and demi-pension (half hotels are blessed with few
and the atmosphere is often board), and rates posted are stars, while the higher ratings
extremely informal. The hotel is exclusive of breakfast. In more sometimes turn out to be
likely to be the focal point of the remote areas, half board may be impersonal business hotels.
village, with the dining room obligatory and is often necessary
and bar open to non-residents. in places where the hotel has
The annual Logis de France the only restaurant. For stays of Bed and Breakfast
Fé Fé F dération guide, which can just one night, many hotels offer As old-fashioned family hotels in
be ordered online at www.logis a fixed-price, good value pack- Provence have been closed down
hotels.com, lists these one- and age including the room, dinner by EU regulations, chambres
two-star restaurants-with-rooms and breakfast (soirée étape)(soirée étape)( . In d’hôtes (B&Bs) have risen to
( (
(aubergesauberges)auberges)auberges , often specializing in high season, popular coastal take their place. They come in all
regional cuisine. Many are basic hotels may give preference to shapes and sizes, including some
roadside inns, with a few listed visitors who want half board. very stylish ones as pricey as four-
in the main towns and cities, Prices drop considerably in star hotels. Many provide table
but off the beaten track you can Provence in low season (Oct– d’hôte dinners on request. They
find charming farmhouses and Mar). Many hotels close for five are listed separately in tourist
inexpensive seaside hotels. months of the year, reopening office brochures, and many are
The classic category also for Easter. During festivals (see (see ( inspected and registered by the
pp36–9 and pp228–9)), prices can
pp36–9 and pp228–9
includes some chain hotels, pp36–9 and pp228–9 Gîtes de France organization.
such as the Campanile and Ibis rival high-season tariffs. In low Stays on working farms are
chains, which offer inexpensive season, discount packages are also an excellent option for
yet comfortable accommodation common along the coast. It is families. Listings and useful
on the outskirts of towns. They worth checking the Internet information pertaining to these
are a reliable option and can and the hotel website, as many can be found on the Accueil
be booked directly online or of the biggest and most famous en Provence Paysanne and
over the phone by credit card. hotels offer fabulous deals Bienvenue à la Ferme websites.
Other modern chains are during this period – even the
geared to the business traveller palaces of the Riviera need to
and are found in most major fill their rooms in winter.
towns. Sofitel, Novotel and
Mercure all have hotels in
Aix, Nice and Marseille. Hotel Gradings
French hotels are classified by
the tourist authorities into five
Hotel Prices categories: one to five stars, with
In many hotels, the price of each the best of the five-star hotels
room depends on the view, called ‘palaces’. A few very basic
size, decor or plumbing. Single places are unclassified. These
occupancy rates are usually ratings give you an indication
the same as two sharing – of the level of facilities you can
prices are normally per room, expect but offer little idea of Impressive staircase and glass lift at the
not per person. Tax and service cleanliness, ambience or exclusive Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc (see p198)