Tags
Chain Hotel Campanille, Chain Hotels, Chambres d'hotes, Gites, Ibis, Les castels, Logis de France, Meridien, Relais du Silence, Relais et Chateaux, Relais routiers, sofitel, Vacation in Provence, villages de Vacances
Accommodation in Provence and the cote d’Azur ranges from some of the world’s most palatial 5-star hotels to very crowded campsites, and of course everything in between. There are hundred of small , moderately priced, independent family- run hotels. Every small town , and many tiny villages, have at least one clean, adequately comfortable hotel, or sometimes you will come across restaurants with chambres ( rooms). Standards range from the very basic to the height of elegance and luxury.Most hotels with 2 to 3 stars can charge 70 to 80 and a bit higher. You can rent a villa and prices can be steep unless you look inland. It is best to reserve an hotel room months in advance if you go during July and August. The major international hotel chains are represented in Provence and the Cote d’Azur. The big French chains, all with several hotels in the region, include:
Campanile – A popular national chain of motels with restaurant; reliable, all identical, mid-price.
Formule 1 , Etap Hotel, Balladins, Bonsai, Premiere classe– All economy motels, modern but minimalist.
Ibis – Modern, functional, town hotels; mid- to low budget.
Meridien – Smart, modern and high-quality chain.
Sofital – Luxurious modern hotels.
Useful French hotel and restaurant federations include:
Relais & Chateaux – Independently owned and top of the market, old fashioned luxury and especially those designated as ” Relais Gourmand” for the gourmet traveler, the food is always excellent. You can get a free handbook from French Government Tourist offices abroad. http://www.relaischateaux.com
Relais Routiers – Truckdrivers’ stops ; inexpensive roadside restaurants generally with a few basic rooms above. Recognizable by a blue and red circular sign outside. http://www.relais-routiers.com
Relais du silence– Top quality hotels in especially quiet locations. Bookable online at http://www.silencehotel.com
Logis de France – A very good resource ; 3000 small , unpretentious, family- run independent hotels, all with a good inexpensive restaurant ( half of them specialize in regional dishes). The rooms are overall adequate and reasonably priced. Free handbook from French government tourist offices abroad or go to http://www.logisdefrance.com
Gites – they are usually cottages rented as inexpensive self-catering vacation accommodation. You can go online and book at http://www.gites-de-france.fr
Villages de vacances -( holiday villages), either for all the family or for children only, they are somewhat popular with the French. to book go to http://www.lvt-vacances.com
Chambres d’hotes – (Guest rooms), usually announced by a simple handmade sign on a front gate, are bed-and-breakfast stop-overs ( often with evening meal too), Family homes in rural areas. http://www.chambres-hotes.org
Les Castels – Mainly located in superb locations, is a federation of top-quality camps; http://www.les-castels.com.
Travel with Luxury Travel Consultant2 to Provence.
http://www.luxurytravelconsultant2.com
Anne Suire.