Les Bories by Jamie Dunford Wood

Les Bories is a charming resort hotel in mature provencal grounds with sweeping views over the surrounding landscape. The draw here is the large pool, in open rural setting, its fine restaurant - the original 2000 yr old 'bories' or shepherds dwelling, a kind of trulli-like arched cavern - and above all the professional spa. Good looking female staff in clinical white coats make you feel instantly at ease, a contrast to the navy blue uniforms of the hotel staff. For wintry days there's a small indoor pool.

Rooms are set back in stepped terraces of lavender and olive trees on two floors - the ground floor with large sit-out terraces and little gardens of ther own leading to the pool, the upper with balconies. Décor is simple but elegant - pure and white with antiqued headboards and taupe linen fabrics, and wooden floors. Separate showers are standard. The hotel is popular with swiss and northern french, and the poolside restaurant reflects something of the standard of the more formal affair.

This is a top choice for a rural and pampering retreat in a great part of Provence, full of excursion possibilities - the picturesque village of Gordes is walkable, and the magnificent Senanque Abbey is nearby.