Originally Posted by
Innerloop
Thanks for the clarifications re: Chevre d'Or. I will avoid!
Since you see expert in the area, can you recommend a place for a 2-night driving base somewhere in Provence? All that turns up generally for luxury there are Four Seasons and Villa Gallici. I've researched the hell out of both, but both have their faults, and need a tip in the right direction.
(A bit back on top) I notice a lot of times the most disappointing hotels are those that are coasting on their reputations a bit. I noticed that Chevre d'Or is ranked in the 2011 "Best Hotels" poll in both (I think) Conde Nast and Travel + Leisure, so one would assume its a top-notch experience, but personal reviews tend to contraidict these polls. I've seen other night & day reactions to aging palaces like Hotel Negresco, etc.
So now this experience makes me especailly wary of older "Classic" hotels that show up with high ratings (and high prices).
Villa Gallici is in Aix-en-Provence, way inland from Marseille, whereas Four Seasons Provence is inland from Nice and Cannes, so nearer to the Riviera. It really depends upon where in Provence you wish to explore, as it is a huge region and you could not possibly cover a fraction of it in 2 days.
Don't forget there is also Haute Provence, with places like Gordes. How rural do you want? What is important for you - shops, villages, restaurants, nature?
Villa Gallici is relatively urban. People often stay there for the opera festival. It has an odd restaurant in that it is not really a restaurant - meals are served on the terrace or in the lounges. Not my favourite hotel, but OK.
Four Seasons Provence is a series of low cottages on the hill, with the spa and main salons at the top and 2 golf courses and club below - so neither sees the other. Very good food, spa and service - perhaps the best in the entire area as service attitudes in this region have declined considerably in the past 2 years. It is more of a resort, though, so if you just want a base from which to explore, then maybe this is not the place.
I wonder if you would like Hotel Crillon Le Brave as it encapsulates the region - beautiful views, endless honey-coloured houses, markets, medieval villages and wine, of course.