Ultimate Luxury in the Luberon: La Bastide de Gordes

I’ve been dreaming of visiting this luxury hotel for years! On paper, La Bastide de Gordes is an absolutely idyllic place to stay in Provence; it offers 40 exclusive rooms and suites, three restaurants (one of them Michelin-starred), a Sisley spa, and a unique, majestic pool! A veritable institution, this hotel is brimming with charm. Its historic atmosphere was enhanced by a 2015 renovation, which helped it to land the highly-coveted title of Palace (“luxury hotel”). Come with me for a visit!

Gordes, the Provençal Village Par Excellence

Located in the village of Gordes in the heart of the Luberon region, La Bastide de Gordes is one of France’s best hotels, a fantasy destination for a number of travelers including me, of course! Designated one of France’s “Most Beautiful Villages,” Gordes is the chic Provençal village par excellence with a famous market, a medieval castle, and beautiful stone houses that look like they came right out of a postcard. La Bastide de Gordes has become a haven for well-to-do clients, who come to indulge in a few nights at one of the region’s most fabulous establishments.

Traveling Back in Time

Dating back to the 16th century, this beautiful dwelling was built on the side of a cliff above the town’s medieval ramparts. It acts as a sort of picturesque balcony for admiring the view of the Alpilles, an incredible panorama (especially at sunset). In 2015, La Bastide de Gordes reopened its doors to show off its new makeover, following a refurbishment which cost an impressive 20 million euros. This facelift was the work of architect Christophe Tollemar, who recreated the atmosphere of an 18th century seigniorial chateau that hardly seems to have changed over the years. The renovation yielded a sumptuous décor, a veritable universe full of charm, authenticity, and serenity.

A Well-Deserved Distinction as a Palace

In a lobby featuring Provençal accents and a chic ambiance, we were greeted by the hotel staff, each of them wearing typical regional attire and a broad smile. The personnel were impeccable, a perfection that paid homage to the hotel’s distinction as one of the best luxury hotels in all of France. I have to say that I’m very meticulous when it comes to the quality of service on offer, as I expect everything in a palace to be flawless (or almost!), and this was indeed the case at La Bastide from the beginning to the end of our stay.

Next, we explored the salon with its magnificent fireplace, pedestal tables, and 18th century armchairs. We then discovered the bar, which offers an interior space as well as a superb terrace which draws both hotel clients and local wealthy proprietors for a drink.

Rooms and Suites Full of Antique Charm

An exclusive hotel, La Bastide contains only 34 rooms and 6 suites, allowing guests to enjoy the amenities on offer in peace and quiet (even when it’s fully booked). Every room is unique, but the common theme is the hotel’s historic charm, enhanced by paintings, valuable furniture, and trinkets procured from the most prestigious antique dealers, all for a truly authentic result. The Prestige Junior Suite where I spent the night is a perfect example; with vaulted ceilings, wood paneling, and large portraits on the walls, it’s a 51 m² masterpiece that took my breath away! The setting is further improved by every technology necessary for 21st century life; the antique style is nice, but it should still be easy to charge your iPhone! 🙂

The Pool of My Dreams

The pool is an absolute gem; built between heaven and earth, it has been set up on one of the hotel’s numerous terraces. It features a unique ambiance, with stone offset by green grass and blue water. It’s the ideal exclusive setting, and I spent the better part of an afternoon reading along the water’s edge! I also appreciated that the hotel had a second pool for children, which allowed me to drink in the peaceful ambiance (even if there were almost no children around in September!).

Pèir, a Michelin-Starred Restaurant by Pierre Gagnaire

The gourmet dining offer at La Bastide de Gordes represents the height of hospitality and refinement. First I should mention Pèir, a restaurant with one Michelin star by Pierre Gagnaire. In an intimate dining room with only eight tables, this thrice-starred chef proposes revisited southern French cuisine. It’s the ideal gourmet restaurant for enjoying elaborate recipes made with regional ingredients.

L’Orangerie

L’Orangerie is a bistro-style restaurant which invites guests to indulge in flavorful foods. You can take a seat on their gorgeous terrace during the summer months, or dine in the bucolic winter garden with its wooden beams, large picture windows, and omnipresent greenery. As for the Sunday brunch, it’s an exceptional experience known throughout the region for its enormous buffet full of delicious dishes. The photos alone are mouthwatering!

Our Excellent Dinner at La Citadelle

In the evening, we sat down for dinner at La Citadelle, which proposes traditional Provençal cuisine. Between the outside patio and the welcoming dining room with its wood paneling, flower-patterned curtains, and impressive classical paintings, you’d think you were in the banquet hall of a splendid bourgeois house. We absolutely loved our delicious meal, beginning with the duck foie gras with fig chutney and pistachios. For the entrée, my husband ordered a Black Angus rib steak, while I opted for a roast wolffish fillet with spices. It was hard to resist dessert, especially when it was so original and delicious: the vanilla parfait was a fantastic culinary discovery.

Yet Another, More Casual Option

The final and much more casual dining option is only a few meters away, in Gordes’ central square: La Bastide de Pierres, with its friendly ambiance, offers Italian cuisine. Patrons can begin with traditional antipasti, then continue with pizza, risotto, or fresh pasta.

The Sisley Spa and its Unique Atmosphere

This wellness space, spread over two floors for a total of 1600 m², offers an indoor pool, four massage rooms, and all of the amenities necessary for an upscale spa, including a fitness room, a huge relaxation room, and the inevitable steam room, sauna, and sensory shower. In designing the spa, architect Christophe Tollemer was inspired by the nearby Sénanque Abbey to create a monastic ambiance, a never-before-seen look that both surprises and thrills patrons. The spa asserts its unique style not only through its appearance, but also with its treatment rooms; each of them continues onto a private balcony where you can indulge in an open-air massage, shaded by olive trees and surrounded by nature. Another important asset at La Bastide de Gordes’ gorgeous spa is its peaceful, serene atmosphere.

A Truly Luxurious Breakfast

We entered into a veritable temple of gourmet food on that lovely September morning! La Bastide de Gordes makes a real effort to offer varied and original dishes. In addition to classic croissants, brioches, and different kinds of bread, there were pies (pear, raspberry…) as well as cakes (chocolate, lemon, and banana bread) and a candy shop – it was nearly impossible to choose! Everything was of course served with silverware and porcelain dishes featuring the establishment’s logo, a truly luxurious breakfast that I consider one of the very best I had in 2018!

The Verdict

A stay at La Bastide de Gordes is a unique and prestigious experience, the kind that only a handful of establishments in the world can boast. I was swept off my feet by this place brimming with history, which was beautifully enhanced by its recent renovation. The rooms and suites combine palatial comfort with period style, and the amenities available to guests are top-notch: delicious gourmet and casual dining options, a cutting-edge spa, and a breathtaking pool. I literally fell under this establishment’s spell and will remember my time there for years to come!

I loved:

The service was worthy of a palace – first-rate personnel!
The ideal location in one of the most beautiful villages in Provence
The exceptional dining: a Michelin-starred restaurant, the excellent bistro La Citadelle, and an incredible breakfast buffet!

I disliked:

Not much… it was close to perfection!

Practical Information

More information available on their website
Prestige Junior Suite starting at 965 €/night (breakfast and dinner included) in September 2018

Thank you to La Bastide de Gordes for the invitation to explore their establishment.Of course, the content of this blogpost was left entirely up to me!