We not too long ago spent a number of nights at Airelles Gordes, La Bastide, positioned in Provence, France. I can’t say sufficient good issues about this property. It’s merely a dream — there’s a lot to like, from the unimaginable historical past and sense of place of the property, to the wonderful meals, to the flawless service. You probably have the chance to take a look at this lodge, I extremely advocate it.
Why we determined to remain at Airelles Gordes
We’re new mother and father, so we haven’t been doing a lot touring these days. Ford’s birthday was in October, and initially we weren’t planning on doing something. Nevertheless, on the final minute we determined to go away for an extended weekend.
With encouragement from our household (who have been excited to handle Miles), we jetted off on a fast journey. Whereas we’d have liked to take Miles, he’s lastly sleeping 12+ hours by the night time, and we didn’t wish to get in the way in which of his groove. We thought-about varied choices, however finally selected Airelles Gordes.
Why? First for some context, Airelles is a boutique luxurious lodge group, which has a handful of properties in France:
- Earlier this yr we stayed at Airelles Courchevel, an unimaginable ski resort in France, which was simply one of the crucial wonderful lodges I’ve stayed at
- We liked our keep in Courchevel a lot that we visited Airelles Saint-Tropez over the summer time; whereas the resort was attractive, sadly we had some service snafus there, although we weren’t about to surrender on the model
Neither of us had ever been to Provence earlier than, and I knew one among Airelles’ different extremely regarded properties was Airelles Gordes. With an exquisite climate forecast and simple flight choices from Florida, we visited Airelles Gordes for a number of nights.
Reserving Airelles Gordes
Airelles Gordes is open for roughly six months every year, from late April by late October. We visited in mid-October, which I can’t advocate sufficient:
- The climate was good — it was 60-70 Fahrenheit throughout the day, and both sunny or partly cloudy
- We stayed when the charges have been the bottom, and the lodge wasn’t at capability
- It felt like we had the city of Gordes and most of Provence to ourselves; by comparability, I’ve heard Gordes can get actually busy within the peak of summer time, because it’s such an idyllic little city
Anyway, Airelles Gordes has two sorts of charges:
- There’s the “Greatest Out there Price & Advantages,” which incorporates breakfast, the minibar, valet parking, delicate drinks by the pool, as much as 10 laundry objects per day, and extra
- There’s the “All-In-Escape,” which incorporates all the above, plus breakfast, lunch, and dinner, at any of the eating places
For what it’s value, for our dates the usual charge was 720 Euro per night time, whereas the total board charge was 1,020 Euro per night time. We determined to e-book the total board charge. Clearly this can be a expensive lodge, however I felt just like the lodge was providing worth in comparison with so many different properties these days.
The good factor is that every one charges out there instantly with Airelles are bookable by Virtuoso, in order that’s how Ford booked us. This affords extra perks, together with an improve topic to availability, a $100 property credit score, and extra. In case you’d like every assist with a Virtuoso reserving right here, you may attain out to Ford at [email protected]
Airelles Gordes service
Normally I discuss service on the finish of my lodge evaluations, however with Airelles Gordes it’s value main with that. Throughout my lodge stays I take notes in shorthand on my cellphone, meant to be a reminder for me once I go to put in writing my evaluations. On this case let me instantly share one among my notes I wrote down throughout our keep — “the type of lodge that reminds you hospitality is an artwork and keenness, and never only a enterprise.”
Very like at Airelles Courchevel, right here we felt like we have been staying in somebody’s dwelling, and so they have been actually pleased we have been there. There’s merely no different option to describe it.
I acknowledge my reward right here nearly seems like a type of faux TripAdvisor evaluations the place you surprise if a lodge worker wrote it. However nope, I’m lifeless severe. The place can we even start?
- The overall supervisor here’s a rockstar, and she or he’s one of the crucial hands-on GMs I’ve seen at any lodge; she was there morning to nighttime, and checked in with every visitor every day
- Elio and Jose, the 2 concierges, couldn’t have been extra skilled; they have been responsive earlier than the keep, and would proactively verify in with us every single day to verify we have been benefiting from our time in Provence
- There wasn’t a single service failure throughout our complete keep — everytime you requested one thing it was instantly taken care of
- Even past simply fulfilling requests, the proactive consideration to element was spectacular, from remembering morning drink preferences, to remembering that Ford is a sizzling sauce fiend, to ironing tablecloths at breakfast earlier than every visitor sat down
Service in France may be polarizing. When service is finished proper, it’s excellent. Airelles Gordes affords beautiful French service, with confidence and a focus to element. Primarily it felt like everybody knew they have been working at one among France’s best lodges, and so they wished to do their half to verify visitors have been pleased.
Airelles Gordes location
Because the identify suggests, Airelles Gordes is positioned in Gordes, France. Gordes is a tiny however highly regarded and picturesque city in Provence. The historical past of Gordes dates again to the Roman empire, however these days it’s only a ridiculously charming city. And as luck would have it, Airelles Gordes is kind of actually the centerpiece of the city.
Humorous sufficient whenever you drive by the city of Gordes, it could be very straightforward to overlook the doorway to the lodge, because it blends into the neighborhood completely. Who would’ve guessed that the center constructing there may be the doorway to a French Palace lodge?
In case you’re flying in to go to Airelles Gordes, you’ll wish to journey to Marseille Airport (MRS). From there it’s a few one hour drive. For what it’s value, I’d extremely advocate renting a automobile, so to discover the realm (whereas the lodge affords visitors electrical bikes, the roads are actually slim and winding, and I’d quite be in a automobile than on a motorbike).
Airelles Gordes check-in, foyer, & structure
The 41-room Airelles Gordes actually transports you to a unique period, all with out sacrificing fashionable luxuries. The lodge is unfold out over eight flooring and 10,000 sq. meters, so it’s a really vertical property. Apparently the lodge goes from ranges minus 5 to stage two (with the foyer being on zero).
Our arrival expertise was nice — as we pulled as much as the lodge, a bellman instantly helped us with our baggage, escorted us to check-in, and provided to park our automobile. The lodge’s foyer is intimate, and instantly offers you a style for the decor of the remainder of the property.
The foyer additionally has an exquisite balcony searching over the valley.
Our room wasn’t fairly prepared but, however we have been invited to get pleasure from our lunch. Upon the conclusion of our lunch, we have been escorted straight to our room.
Airelles Gordes one bed room suite
We have been assigned room 322, a one bed room suite on the second flooring (we bought a pleasant improve — the lodge gave the impression to be fairly empty for our late season keep). To start with, how epic are the lodge’s hallways? You actually really feel such as you’re staying in somebody’s palace, quite than at a lodge.
The lodge additionally has a really cool-looking elevator, although we appreciated the chance to get some bonus steps with the steps, given all that we have been consuming right here.
Inside the doorway to our room was the lounge. WOW. I’m fairly positive this room alone made up for each restricted service lodge I’ve stayed at through the years that had nothing on the partitions. I counted a minimum of 33 items of art work on the partitions all through our room.
The lounge had a sofa, a few chairs, and an arrogance.
Ready on the lounge desk was a welcome amenity (Airelles constantly affords nice welcome facilities), together with a bottle of Moet champagne, and a few scrumptious sweets.
The bed room was subsequent to the lounge, and featured a cushty king measurement mattress, in addition to a desk space. There was even a TV positioned in a mirror of types, in addition to an ornamental fire.
There was an additional welcome amenity on the mattress, consisting of a basket, a blanket, and a beautiful scented candle.
The toilet was down the hallway from the lounge.
In that hallway was the minibar, which had a Nespresso espresso machine, in addition to a wide range of snacks and delicate drinks. As is customary at Airelles properties, all the pieces was complimentary, and restocked every day.
The toilet was a terrific measurement, and featured double sinks, a soaking tub, a walk-in bathe, and a bathroom.
Toiletries have been in reusable Airelles branded bottles, and have been prime quality.
Maybe most spectacular of all was the view from our room.
The views solely bought extra spectacular within the mornings (particularly when it was foggy) and at sundown…
Airelles Gordes affords twice every day housekeeping, and as is customary at Airelles properties, there was a unique reward on the mattress every night with turndown service.
What an extremely charming room that strikes the proper stability between having an ideal sense of place whereas not feeling outdated or shabby.
Airelles Gordes outside pool
Airelles Gordes has plenty of facilities, however let’s begin with the outside pool. The property has an exquisite outside pool with a chic setting — it’s not typically you get this sort of backdrop at a pool. It is a good spot to lounge, and there’s service on the pool all through the day. You’ll be able to order meals or drinks, and even get pleasure from complimentary ice cream.
Even past the pool, there’s an enormous garden the place you may hang around, which is a superb place to cross time.
Airelles Gordes spa & indoor pool
Airelles Gordes has a stunning Sisley Spa, which is open to lodge visitors even with out reserving a spa remedy. If you’d like a spa remedy, you may discover the menu right here. I didn’t find yourself getting any remedies, however did go to the spa space in any other case.
For one, the spa has an indoor pool, which is a superb place to lounge if the climate isn’t in any other case cooperating. The spa additionally has all of the facilities you’d usually anticipate, together with a sauna and steam room.
Airelles Gordes health club
Additionally positioned within the Airelles Gordes spa is a health club. Whereas it’s on the modest aspect, it had treadmills, ellipticals, a choice of free weights, and a yoga room.
Airelles Gordes summer time camp & recreation room
Airelles Summer time Camp is the property’s children membership. I don’t suppose there have been any children on the property throughout our keep, however the space was nonetheless open. Whereas most Airelles Gordes hallways appear to be this…
…there’s fairly a enjoyable transformation whenever you stroll down the hallway to the youngsters membership.
The youngsters membership had a recreation room, which had a number of arcade video games, and even had a type of machines the place you may “claw” out a toy. The catch? It was free to make use of, and also you get a toy every time you play. It was nearly really easy that it wasn’t honest.
Past the indoor house, there’s a pool desk, ping pong desk, foosball desk, and a children pool.
Eating at Airelles Gordes
As you’d anticipate, Airelles Gordes has a really robust meals & beverage recreation. It’s nearly problematic how good the meals is, as a result of there’s solely a lot one can fairly eat over the course of some days. Right here’s a abstract of the lodge’s meals & beverage retailers, to present you a way of what to anticipate:
- L’Orangerie is the all-day eating restaurant, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner; it’s positioned on property, and serves Mediterranean delicacies
- Clover Gordes by Jean-François Piège serves lunch and dinner; it’s positioned on property, and serves Provencal delicacies
- La Bastide de Pierre serves lunch and dinner; it’s positioned off property on the town, and serves Italian delicacies
- Le TIGrr serves dinner; it’s positioned on the town, and serves Asian fusion delicacies
- The lodge additionally has a bar, positioned simply off the foyer
In case you e-book a full board charge, you may get pleasure from any of your meals at any of those venues. With these fundamentals out of the way in which, let’s get into the main points…
Airelles Gordes breakfast
Airelles Gordes serves breakfast every day from 7:30AM till 11AM. Whereas it’s technically served at L’Orangerie, in actuality it’s served in a separate room that’s totally different from the place lunch and dinner are served. There’s each indoor and outside seating, relying in your desire.
Breakfast consists of a buffet, after which you too can order a wide range of issues off a menu.
Finally breakfast buffets in France aren’t going to be as expansive as what you’d discover in Southeast Asia or the Center East, although all the pieces was prime quality and scrumptious. There was one room that had a wide range of yogurt, fruit, veggies, chilly cuts, and some sizzling choices.
Then there was a desk in the primary eating room with all types of freshly baked items, together with bread, croissants, pastries, and extra.
There have been all types of nice drinks at breakfast as effectively, starting from freshly squeezed juices to cappuccinos.
The objects on the menu have been scrumptious, together with the avocado toast and omelets.
Airelles Gordes L’Orangerie
L’Orangerie serves each lunch and dinner, and you may discover the menu right here. That is such a cute restaurant, because the indoor house has some cool decor, whereas the outside house has nice views.
Lunch right here started with a tasty amuse bouche, in addition to some sinfully tasty ciabatta.
Earlier than we even discuss what we ordered to eat, this lodge deserves credit score for having the classiest Weight-reduction plan Coke presentation I’ve ever seen.
To begin, I ordered the marinated tuna with crispy risotto, soy caramel, and peanuts, whereas Ford ordered the foie gras terrine with artichoke salad, mousse, and brioche.
Then for our mains, I ordered the coral butter wild scallops with sunchoke mousseline and crisps, and scallop sauce, whereas Ford ordered the vegetable and pistou consomme with contemporary herbs.
We have been method too full too get pleasure from a dessert, however have been nonetheless introduced some petit fours.
We additionally had a scrumptious dinner right here one night. To begin we ordered the salmon gravalax with cauliflower salad and bavaroise, in addition to a particular that was out there that night.
Then for our mains, I ordered the lobster ravioli with ricotta and pumpkin seeds, butternut veloute, and lobster bisque, whereas Ford had the only amandine with lemon, parsley, almonds, and almond potatoes.
We didn’t have any room for dessert, however got a to-go bag with some scrumptious candy treats.
Airelles Gordes Clover Gordes by Jean-François Piège
Clover Gordes by Jean-François Piège serves each lunch and dinner, and you may discover the menu right here. Whereas we liked each of the on-property eating places, I feel this one was our favourite. The indoor eating room was good, although the outside eating space was unimaginable, particularly round sundown. What a deal with.
Every meal at Clover Gordes begins with some bread and radishes, in addition to an olive oil tasting, as you may choose the kind of olive oil you want most.
Our very pleasant server, Juliette, advisable that we cut up a number of starters. We tried the fennel salad with stracciatella and grated poutargue, the marinated bluefin tuna with orange, basil, and candy pepper, and the flamed eggplants on the embers, with tomatoes, basil, and olives.
For mains, I had the grilled Provence vegetable pie with parmesan, whereas Ford had the “beef meatballs like a steak.”
We cut up an orange millefleur for dessert, and have been provided some petit fours along with that.
Airelles Gordes La Bastide de Pierres
La Bastide de Pierres is the lodge’s Italian restaurant. It’s not on property, however quite is positioned simply down the road, a brief stroll away. It’s far more informal than the property’s different eating places, and is common with folks visiting Gordes for the day. La Bastide de Pierres serves lunch and dinner, and you may discover the menu right here.
We had lunch right here one afternoon, and cut up the niçoise salad and the truffle pizza. Yum.
Airelles Gordes Le TIGrr
Le TIGrr is Airelles Gordes’ Asian fusion restaurant. It’s positioned a brief stroll from the lodge, and it’s constructed into the aspect of the hill, so has superior views. Le TIGrr has a unique DJ each night time, and has fairly a celebration ambiance, in contrast to the remainder of the lodge, in order that distinction is type of cool. The restaurant is open nightly for dinner, and you may discover the menu right here.
They’d wasabi martinis right here, which we significantly loved.
To eat, we ordered a few kinds of sushi, some shrimp rolls, Cambodian type beef salad. and kung pao hen dumplings.
Then for dessert we shared some mango and mochi.
Whereas we liked the ambiance right here, I’d say this was the one eating venue that wasn’t distinctive. The service was pleasant, nevertheless it was typically exhausting to flag down a server. Moreover, all the pieces was merely introduced out directly, so it looks as if they may do a greater job coursing issues. Lastly, I’d say the meals was good, however not memorable (in contrast to the remainder of the meals on the lodge).
Airelles Gordes bar
Airelles Gordes has a bar positioned simply off the foyer, and you may discover the menu right here. It has each indoor seating close to a fire, in addition to an outside terrace. It’s open all through the day, so it’s a terrific place to seize a espresso or cocktail.
Issues to do round Airelles Gordes & Provence
So, what does one truly do when staying at Airelles Gordes, apart from consuming and ingesting? 😉
This was our first time in Provence, and we actually loved our time, and really feel like we may have spent every week exploring the realm. There are all types of small cities within the area, and the concierge staff was nice with recommending which areas have been most value seeing, so we usually drove off for a number of hours every day to benefit from the space.
Under are only a few footage from our excursions to close by cities…
Backside line
Airelles Gordes, La Bastide, is a spectacular lodge that I can’t advocate sufficient. This lodge has all of it — good service, a tremendous sense of place, nice meals, and many facilities. In case you’re a Francophile or are excited by touring to Provence, this may’t be beat.
