Le Couvent des Minimes Hôtel & Spa l'Occitane

The reception area is stunning, it literally takes your breath away. We received a lovely welcome. Our room was beautiful. The bar area inside was absolutely amazing but we were very disappointed that it was not open. The food in and service in the bistro style restaurant was absolutely excellent. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay. The service in the pool area needs to be improved. We felt the menu choice was limited and you had to go to an order point whenever you wanted anything, no one walked round to ask if you needed drinks etc. The setting, the interiors and the spa itself are absolutely excellent. It is remote so a car is essential. We did not have one but we did use a local taxi that was great.

This is, quite simply, a stunning hotel. The work that has been done in terms of restoration of a heritage building (my professional interest), interior design and attention detail is remarkable but must have cost a small fortune. Our room (deluxe terrace) was large and full of light. The bar is an amazing space, again filled with light. The spa is probably one of the best I have visited (I’m an ex member of Gleneagles) and swimming in the Nordic pool early on chilly late November mornings was a treat my husband and I will remember for a long time. We didn’t eat in the gastronomic restaurant but had a couple of meals in the Bistro and I would really recommend the lunch menu served during the week. Breakfasts, which are included in the room price, were very good. All the staff were incredibly helpful and friendly. Hire an electric bike and explore the area. Visit the L’Occitane factory (and if you’re an English speaker as for your guide to be Olivier). The recommendations for lunches outside the hotel were excellent. There is some criticism that the hotel is an Instagram oasis and I guess in some ways it is. We arrived on a Sunday and felt we were way outside the desired demographic, but once they had all gone home on Monday morning the hotel, its staff and its facilities were perfect. We’ve already booked for a stay en route to skiing in March.

The hotel is a wonderful conversion of the ancient convent. It is clear that mountains of money, but also tons of taste, were expended in achieving it. The result is sublime: like living in a beautiful château, except comfortable. As for the spa, it is superb, the best we’ve seen (and we’ve seen a few). It would impress a Roman emperor (if there were more slaves). We didn’t benefit from the huge outdoor pool or the terraces, since we were there in winter, but they would be a delight in warm weather. Someone has done a terrific job in assembling and training a rather young staff of charming and intelligent people. From the parking attendants to the receptionists, and from the waiters and waitresses to the exceptional sommelière (Ms. Pauline), there wasn't a one that we wouldn’t happily adopt and take home with us. The buffet breakfast: simply the best (really). The hotel has its own full-time boulanger, as well as a pastry chef. Okay, full disclosure: the coffee could be better. There is (of course) a gourmet restaurant (we can all imagine what that’s like), as well as a “bistro" on the premises. (Fortunately, since the local village doesn’t offer much at all.) The bistro serves mainly fanciful haute cuisine; we would have preferred that it be more authentically bistro-like, with some classic bistro-type food (steaks, daubes, foie gras, magret, confit de canard…yes, maybe even french fries!). It goes to show: even paradise can stand to be tweaked a bit.