Visitors returning to the Morin family's hilltop hotel found it 'delightful as ever'.

'A lovely discovery', by a regular Guide correspondent. Just outside this medieval village perché north of Orange, above the Rhône, it is only a kilometre from the A7, 'but it could be a world away'.

A hotel since 1799, this elegant 16th-century building has long been a favourite of Guide readers.

'A lovely hotel in a beautiful setting'; 'calm and quiet'. One of the Guide's best-loved hotels, the 'beautiful, old bastide', outside a delightful small town below the Massif de la Sainte Baume, stands in a large walled garden with swimming pool and fountain.

'We cannot adequately praise this hotel,' say visitors about this 17th-century mas (Relais du Silence). It stands up a private road on a large estate, outside this beautiful village on the southern slopes of the Luberon.

An 11th-century fortified castle at the top of a medieval village in the hills south of Draguinon has been turned into this small hotel where, say the nominators, 'everything was correct'.

Tastefully converted by its owners Sandra and André Berger, this group of 18th-century stone farm buildings is now an inexpensive B&B hotel.

In a pretty village between Nîmes and Montpellier is this renovated, creeper-covered, old farmhouse, run by Alain Foubert.

In two buildings, separated by a garden with a swimming pool, is M. and Mme Grasset's 'relatively modern' Logis de France, popular with golfers.

In a village near Clermont-l'Hérault is this delightful small hotel, run since June 2014 by welcoming hosts Sonia and Sylvain Geindreau.

“You can tick all the “Good Hotel” boxes for this one,” say the nominators of this “beautiful house, away from traffic on the edge of a spectacular village”.

Well away from the tourist crowds which flock to this spectacular hilltop village is the Charial family's sophisticated modern hotel (Relais & Châteaux).

'Magical.' 'Delightful.' This former 10th-century fortress, near the awesome Gorges du Verdon, is owned by the family of Guillaume Thomas.

On the west bank of the Rhône, this historic little town above Avignon has a splendid charterhouse and other noble buildings, including this 14th-century priory, now a luxurious hotel (Relais & Châteaux).

Against a background of the craggy Dentelles de Montmirail, this old-fashioned hotel has a superb setting high in a wooded valley, near some of the best Côtes du Rhône vineyards.

A honey-coloured 18th-century bastide, run by Penny and Julien Hemery as a charming small hotel.

Near the Roman theatre, at the foot of St-Eutrope hill is this 17th-century coaching inn, now a pink and green-shuttered two-star B&B with 'welcoming' owner/manager, Alain Bennejean

'For warmth of reception combined with lovely rooms, it cannot be beat,' writes a travel expert about Roberto and Nanda Polito's luxurious and stylish little hotel (Relais & Châteaux).

This 'beautifully refurbished' old bastide is located within walking distance of the ancient fortified village of Reillanne.

This 'very peaceful' hotel stands on a hill amid pine trees, in a well-kept garden with swimming pool (where snacks are served in summer).

'Charming as ever,' says a visitor, returning to this 16th-century stone mas in vineyards and lavender fields in rolling country east of the Rhône valley.

This old hill village, popular with artists, is full of arty boutiques. Its name means 'russet': it is famous for its ochre quarries, and its buildings are in shades of red, pink and orange.

Informally run by the Rambaud family is this stylish inn located in a 'pleasing stone building' set back from the road, in 'fairly spacious' grounds with olive and almond trees and a vineyard.

Below Mont Ventoux, in a tiny Provençal village perché, this smart hotel is much liked.

'An idyllic luxury hotel in the Camargue”, this neat whitewashed mas is isolated by a lagoon just north of the Camargue”s little seaside capital.

'One of the nicest hotels we've stayed in,' say visitors. 'Staff were particularly helpful. Food was excellent.'

At the entrance of this old walled town, this 'beautiful and special' hotel is run by François Roux with his wife, Daniele.

'A lovely little hotel,' says a visitor to Frederic and Cécile Lespinasse-Jacquemin's quiet, friendly B&B in three buildings in the old town.

'Wonderful', 'excellent value', are comments on the Bonnet family's hotel in the centre, near the Cours Mirabeau.