Domaine de Manville ★★★★★

The first thing that always strikes me when I go to Provence is the heady aroma of pine and tantalising flavour of olive oil which wafts through the region, and I absolutely love it. Located near Arles in the hill country is the Hotel Domaine de Manville *****, a marvel of refurbished classical French architecture. It welcomes you to a pastoral retreat where time stands still and your troubles melt away in the warm Provençal sun; and who would say no to that?

Domaine de Manville ***** is a country retreat just below the idyllic town of Les Baux, nestled in among the fields. At first sight of the hotel, you feel irresistibly drawn into the past – the building has been lovingly restored to its former glory by the owners, who dreamt of making a “rural palace”, and giving visitors from all over a taste of real Provence luxury.

The hotel’s interior design draws on inspiration from the local architecture, featuring plenty of sandstone and weathered oak, while your room has plenty of modern twists designed to reflect the vibrant new face of contemporary Provençal décor, not to mention your favourite high-end home comforts. Like the rest of Provence, food here is taken very seriously - lunches at the Golf Bistro use locally grown produce and offer a delectable glimpse into the cuisine of French royalty, complete with the wines of Les Baux.

If nature and exploration is less of a priority, make sure to unwind in the cosy intimacy of the spa at the Hotel Domaine de Manville *****, with its sensory pool and essential oil massages to rejuvenate both body and mind. After a long day of exploring the mighty citadel and quaint village of Les Baux-de-Provence, few things could top off a sumptuous dinner and watching the sunset with your companion – except, perhaps, climbing into a sumptuously cosy bed with the promise of another day of delights ahead.