Hotel Lous Grits is located in the hilltop village of Marsolan in Gascony between Bordeaux and Toulouse (the latter is also home to the nearest airport). This is the heart of the Armagnac region, famed for its production of a 700-year-old liquor (a type of brandy aged in oak barrels) that's the oldest in France. The hotel is proud of this regional heritage, and can organise visits and degustation (tasting) to neighbouring producers.

The facilities

In the evening, the restaurant offers delicious regional cuisine prepared with the freshest local produce. All food is made to order as there's no menu, one of the many personal touches that are a feature here. In the morning, a luxury breakfast of your choice can be taken in your room, dining room or terrace.

The rooms

The Lous Grits has five deliciously comfortable rooms, all decorated in warm white-and-blondes and rather charmingly named after different regional winds. The only really hi-tech feature is their state of the art sound systems, which can be used to play the CD of classical music presented to guests on arrival. Free internet access comes as standard.

Otherwise, rooms at this boutique hotel mainly eschew modern fripperies for high-quality bed linen, furniture made by local craftsmen and herbal bath products in the bathrooms. Private terraces take in timeless views of the Tuscan countryside and make you glad to have left the TV at home.