The Essence of Provence - "La Bastide de Marie****"

You simply don't get more romantic than at La Bastide Marie in Provence. La Bastide Marie is simply one of the most charming and discrete deluxe luxury country inns we have come across. Tucked away in a valley carpeted in vineyards that surround around the old, stone farm house in a gentle embrace, the Bastide is located at the base of the hills supporting Ménerbes, not far from Avignon and a stone's throw from Bonnieux; this area of the Luberon is a nature park in itself. A land of rustic beauty.

This is the perfect place to really let down and unwind. Whilst this perfectly restored 18th century Bastide is certainly a hotel, it projects more the feeling of welcoming you as a personal guest in a private house rather than just another paying tourist. The warmth and simplicity radiates from every aspect of the building, the furnishings, the unique and individual rooms as well as all the serving staff from lowliest to the manager.

The food is excellent, beautifully served and yet simply prepared. The property also has its own winery which we found to be well suited to the food and the ambience of the place. We personally loved the very dry and pale rosé. Who, after all, can come to Provence and not drink the rosé? (Click here for the restaurant). Sipping the rosé or a pastis on the terrace on a sunny day in the shade of the plain trees, looking over the fresh green vineyards to the hills not far away is sublime and is what memories are made of.

The building is a rambling series of rooms, some large and airy, others with vaulted ceiling or open log rafters. Farm families would just add on another lean-to when a son or daughter got married. The owners, Jocelyne and Jean-Louis Sibuet, who breathed new life back into this pile of stones, wanted it to be just like the dream they had of a family country home in Provence. They furnished it with old, mismatched furniture; comfy and familial. But neither is it shabby or run down in any way. The sofas may be old but are re-sprung and covered. The beds guarantee a beautiful night's sleep. The bathrooms are the latest in country chic (no lack of hot water - it just might take a little time to arrive!).

Every bedroom is named after an herb from the nearby hills. Some have their own terraces. Others baronial fireplaces. Many have four poster beds. All this makes it feel that you can easily chat with the guest alongside you over coffee and brandy in the salon or one of its satellites after dinner.

This is also reinforced by the natural and attentive staff who are always there when you need them but are never overbearing or intrusive. They seem genuinely sweet. We loved the young woman who served us our meals and made us feel "part of the family". As we travel with our own small dog, we also enjoyed the Bastide's own pals "Clyde", a giant of a dog with the hear of an angel as well as "Peaches" an adorable smaller female.