‘A lovely hotel in a beautiful setting’; ‘calm and quiet’. It is one of the Guide’s best-loved hotels, owned by the Marignane brothers: Christophe and Vincent manage; Philippe is the ‘accomplished chef’.

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

‘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.

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

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).

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).

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

In open country south of Montélimar, this creeper-covered 14th-century bastide was once an overnight stop for pilgrims. 

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

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

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

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.

In a ‘delightful location’ near Vacqueyras, at the head of a wooded ravine below the rocky Dentelles de Montmirail, this 19th-century building was once a spa centre.

Below Mont Ventoux, in a tiny Provençal village perché, this smart hotel (Relais & Châteaux), is managed by Sébastien Pilat.

Opposite the dramatic gorges of Pennafort, in wooded country near Draguignan, this former relais de poste is now a luxurious hotel/restaurant managed by chef Philippe Da Silva and his wife, Martine.

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

‘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).

‘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.

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

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

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

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

This creeper-clad stone mas is now a welcoming three-star demeure d’hôtes, quietly set amid fields, vineyards and orchards in the heart of Provence, 4 kms from Orange

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.