We recently spent a few nights at Airelles Gordes, La Bastide, located in Provence, France. I can’t say enough good things about this property. It’s simply a dream — there’s so much to love, from the incredible history and sense of place of the property, to the amazing food, to the flawless service. If you…
Continue reading: Review: Airelles Gordes, La Bastide (Amazing Hotel!)
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@ Eli -- We flew Lufthansa first class from Miami to Frankfurt, as we lucked out with finding award availability. Since I reviewed this exact route last year, I decided not to review that flight again.
https://onemileatatime.com/reviews/lufthansa-first-class-747/
“ While we would have loved to take Miles”
Like I said before, get kids used to being abandoned early. It’ll make it much easier to abandon them later!
Ben, were most restaurants and stores in town still open in October? I've read conflicting things about this.
So glad you highlighted Elio and Jose. They are beyond terrific. I had a client stay this summer and they went above and beyond. She wanted a specific tennis racket that they didn't have on property; Jose purchased it for her at a local store. They helped arranged a French tutor for her. I could write a huge paragraph here on the ways they assisted her. Ultimately it was during the heat wave and she decided to cut her lengthy stay because it was just too hot to do anything besides the pool, but I cannot say enough good things about this property.
@Ben - beautiful property. We're planning a trip to Europe next year. What was the room rate you ended up paying for your stay?
I hope you went to Carrieres des lumieres in Gordes...if not you definitely should next time.
https://www.carrieres-lumieres.com/en
@ pstm91 -- So happy to hear others were treated well by them too! That's quite some service. Yes, most restaurants were still open, but not all. Then again, many of the best restaurants are connected to the hotel, and if you're booking a full board rate, that's probably where most end up eating.
@ Never In Doubt -- Not sure where exactly on the scale of sarcasm that comment falls, but to provide a bit of background...
We're really excited to travel with Miles and can't wait for him to get older. We plan to travel with him extensively, but first our goal has been to get him on a consistent sleep schedule (for obvious reasons) and get his vaccinations, so that he has some protection when he's out in public more.
He's still really young, and at this age we know that he's just as happy being taken care of and loved by our family as he is with us. Stay tuned for an upcoming review about our first trip with Miles, though...
That bathroom is dreamy, swoon. It really feels like you're staying in someone's private home, not a cookie-cutter hotel. The views and pool are spectacular. Love that there's a kid's club, too. It's nice when ultraluxury hotels are accommodating of kids.
I’m going to go out on a limb, and guess Never in Doubt was not serious (in a negative sense) in their comments. After raising a couple girls my wife and discovered two things. 1) The family trips with our girls as a family were extremely rewarding and helped shape the individuals they grew into. 2) The couple trips we did also were a great investment into our marriage and gave our daughters a chance to get closer with our parents, as well as become more confident and independent as they matured.
Both were important to our family values, and the family we are.
Beautiful property! Any idea what variety of tree covered those wonderful patios? It almost looked like citrus.
I was lucky enough to stay here a few years ago - it was the peak of summer travel and even though it was so busy it was the most AMAZING time I've ever had in a hotel. I felt so taken care of, so relaxed and so well fed... I didn't want to leave. I dream of going back - thanks for bringing back all those memories.
@Lucky -- Was that Fontaine de Vaucluse in one of the photos? We were there in the summer – so beautiful.
I was kidding to prove a point!
Which is to highlight Ben’s mental gymnastics/self justifications about leaving his son behind while traveling, which were backed up in his comment reply!
The young Doubts were both traveling with us within 6 months of birth, and they’ve never been left behind for leisure travel.
Our 20 year old has been to 54 countries, and the 17 year old to 41. A ~4 year head start + independent travel post high school has built at least a temporary lead, that the youngster is ready to challenge!
Yet another pic of avocado toast. Has there EVER been a hotel/trip review without a picture of avocado toast? I'm sorry - but yawn......
Other than that, great review as always!! 🙂
That's really cool for your kids. Different families do all sorts of things differently, and there's not an objectively best path or method.
I didn’t even know that hotel existed but it seems like a dream. Glad you had a wonderful time! I will make it a priority to be there within the next few years.
ML, you sound like someone whose kids would probably be happy to have been left behind!
hp12c, correct, there isn’t an objectively best way! My point was than Ben should own the way he’s chosen! Don’t say “we’d have loved to have taken him”, take him! Or don’t take him and say “We wanted this time without him!”.
I can understand why you were knocked out by this hotel! There would be no reason to leave the hotel and grounds~ epic!
The cost seems more than reasonable given what you have on offer. All up it would cost a small fortune to maintain the hotel and grounds to the high standard illustrated.
How big was the sigh of relief from you and Ford when you guys saw that avocado toast was on the menu?
True, but I wonder what would happen in there was avocado toast on the menu...and there was no Shakshouka as well! Good thing there were omelettes...
Hi Ben
I think there's a typo re one of Ford's meals, viz. Ford had the “beef meatballs like a steak.” is listed on the menu as “Beef meatballs like a pizza.”
Bro, calm down. Ben doesn't have to "own" anything, and people are more complex than having black and white feelings. You can both want a trip for yourself, and also want to share the trip with your kids, because both options are rewarding in different ways. Acknowledging nuance is not a bad thing.
Fontaine de Vaucluse is the 4th picture. the 3rd one is l'Abbaye de Senanque, the 2nd & 5th is l'Isle sur la Sorgue.
Ben, you should have visited Avignon, the Mount Ventoux and Les Baux de Provence which has a terrific view on Camargue.
And yes, summer time can be very tricky to enjoy as it is higly crowded by tourists.
“ While it’s technically served at L’Orangerie, in reality…”
You can have breakfast in L’Orangerie if you ask nicely 😛
Elio was great, as was everything about this hotel.
Loved this hotel. We were there around the same time (mid October) last year and can echo your suggestion. Good rates, emptier towns, and gorgeous weather.
Did you try to drive their vintage car? We took it for a spin and had a lot of fun. It was an adventure going up and down the hills in that thing though.
Probably the first and only hotel review I enjoyed reading. This indeed looks like a great property - albeit slightly heavy on portraits of the long-deceased. Will probably check it out during my next visit in Jan.
@ Ben- darn…
- husband’s birthday Lufthansa first on miles (what are the odds?)
- Ben’s birthday on the Maldives, of course Emirates first award availability opens up
- Purser friend almost last flight and no sweat, Emirate award opens up (and two seats of course)
-Purser friend last flight (for real this time) and you bet, there is an open seat on Emirates first class
No wonder they call you lucky…
Thank you for the thorough review. We are booked for a stay in May, and you definitely confirmed my choice.
Question: we have never rented a car in Europe before, and it seems somewhat necessary to fully enjoy Provence. Any tips for first time (American) renters? We will be taking Paris-Avignon train…
WE have driven around Provence-Vauclause/Isle sur la sorgue/Aix en Provence/Avignon.. But usually stay near our friend in Vaison-La Romaine. Next time we will check our Gordes for sure.. It looks like a lovely hotel.. They probably do not have a rewards program..