Airelles Gordes, La Bastide

Character and identity

Perched on the medieval ramparts of Gordes with sweeping views over the Luberon valley, La Bastide occupies a cluster of restored historic buildings, some carved directly into the limestone cliff. The 40 rooms (34 plus six suites) are the work of Christophe Tollemer, who layered straw-yellow and olive-green palettes over terra-cotta tiles, antique portraits from l'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, leather-bound books, and Pierre Frey fabrics. Five restaurants anchor the dining scene, including Jean-François Piège's Clover, the gastronomic La Citadelle, regional L'Orangerie, and Asian-leaning TIGrr. A 17,000-square-foot Sisley spa, modelled on the nearby Abbaye de Sénanque, runs to monastic minimalism. Service is formal, costumed, and unfailingly polished.

Who's it for

Bottom line

What defines a stay here is the rare combination of serious cooking, a vast spa, and a genuinely cinematic setting on the cliffs of Gordes, held together by formal but capable service. Book a west-facing room for the valley views, plan around the Sunday champagne brunch at L'Orangerie, and note that the property closes November to mid-April and fills fast in summer.