Jardins Secrets, Nimes, France

Jardins Secrets is a 18th-century coaching inn recently turned into a splendid boutique hotel. Tucked away in a flowered secret garden with garden pool , orange trees, Mediterranean jars and an old well once used to provide drinking water to horses, this is a peaceful and charming hotel conveniently situated in the center of Nimes.

With its red clay façade covered with bougainvillea and hidden behind rows of olive trees, it is reminiscent of a villa in Tuscany.

The host’s penchant for refined 18th-century décor is predominant with silk drapes, pendants, antique renderings and baldaquins beds in the rooms. In the boudoir bathrooms are leggy tubs on Montpellier marble floors.

Three connecting lounges with historical fireplace, music room or smoking room allow guests to mingle or seek privacy and in order to remain switched on despite the scenery, wifi internet is available throughout the hotel.