Fancy Hotel of the Week – Hotel du Clos

 

IMG_7248

 

On this particular trip we didn’t set out to stay in fancy boutique-y hotels  – our criteria were mostly cost, space for us and the Minx and proximity to beautiful locations, but we really lucked out with the first hotel we stayed in, booked at the very last minute through Splendia, a website specialising in characterful hotels.

The Hotel du Clos is in the little postcard-perfect village of Le Rouret, about 15 minutes from Grasse and 25 minutes from Nice and the bustle of the Riviera, and so a perfect place to relax after our long transatlantic flight to Nice (via Amsterdam).

 

  IMG_7312

 

The hotel – and this is the reason I loved it so – combines the very best in traditional French charm and style with the odd touch of whimsy here and there, which made everything seem lighthearted, modern and fun and added oodles of character. Though frankly the buildings were so beautiful that additional character seemed almost unnecessary.

The rooms are each individually decorated, the staff were absolutely delightful and extremely welcoming to the Minx, and the same people who own the hotel also own a fabulous Michelin-starred restaurant, five minutes away in the village. So, I really can’t recommend this one highly enough.

 

IMG_7139 IMG_7141

 

The bedroom featured the most beautiful fireplace and was  decorated in those overlapping shades of dove grey that the French do so well.

 

IMG_7306

 

 IMG_7305

 

  I loved the wall sticker of ‘books’ stacked up on the bedside table

 

 

IMG_7138

 

IMG_7262

 

IMG_7144

 

the Roman faces fabric on the cushions and curtains

 

  IMG_7308 IMG_7142 IMG_7143

 

and the Perspex angel light fitting above our bed (with another angel peeking out in the bathroom).

 

 

IMG_7150

 

The traditional Provencal garden – fragrant with roses, jasmine and lavender -  was a big hit with a certain someone, who particularly loved the fabulously UNtraditional sculpture lurking among the olive trees.

 

IMG_7323 IMG_7164

IMG_7148

IMG_7205 

 

We ate epic breakfasts every morning on the beautiful terrace

 

IMG_7281

IMG_7282 IMG_7196

 

– the fromage blanc with rose syrup was a particularly big hit.

 

 IMG_7278

 

In the mornings when I woke early through jetlag, I would knit on our balcony shaded by an ancient olive tree and listen to the sound of church bells and the kids singing in the school next door. 

IMG_7299

IMG_7256 IMG_7245

 

After breakfast we would head to the small but delightful stone pool, made particularly elegant by the use of very dark green tiles, which made it fit much more naturally into the garden landscape.

 

IMG_7291

 

And we all appreciated little touches such as the antique jelly moulds used as keyrings (and were sad not to get one of the three bears)

 

IMG_7326

 

and the papier mache cow in the reception area. 

IMG_7329

 

More photos from the Hotel du Clos, Le Rouret and Grasse, on my Flickr here.

I’m back. Sort of normal service will be resumed, though it’s school vacation and a busy time for ‘mirrormirror’ so other things also need to take priority. I’ve been missing you though.

Share

Comments

  1. Melanie at Food Post Ink says

    What a beautiful hotel… definitely one to put in “the list”…love the trompe l’oeil sticker stack of books, how ingenious….and those adorable sheep…gorgeous photographs, thank you for sharing these….M

  2. says

    Gorgeous pics and love the jelly mould key rings. So much to love in these pics and I must check out Splendia, I hadn’t heard of it! Looks like you had a great time.

  3. says

    A lovely article and a great stay!
    Thanks a lot for your mention, we highly appreciate. And moreover, the occasion for us to see how our customers experience our hotels.
    I’m glad you like it. By the way, great pictures!!
    Best regards from sunny Barcelona,
    David Bennet – Splendia Community Manager

  4. says

    looks like heaven there. south of france is just beautiful and i’d LOVE to have one of those melted cheese with rose syrup…. swoon…

  5. says

    i recognise those sculptures! they are by Otmar Alt, and made an appearance in bradford a few years ago, dotted around the city and in lister park.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *