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Hotel Les Bories**** & Spa d'Ennea could well be termed a destination in itself. Not only is it a lovely, well appointed luxury hotel, located on a rugged hillside in the Luberon of Provence in southern France but it is central to so many of the rich gifts that northern Provence has to offer. The facilities are superb, as is the cuisine with a Michelin starred chef Pascal Ginoux. Not only is it within walking distance of that marvelous hilltop town "Gordes" with its glorious views, but it is within striking distance of so very many wonderful historic sites, vibrant famous towns, wine regions and fine food and traditional top quality products from olive oil to truffles. This is Peter Mayle country with Bonnieux and Menerbes just across the valley.
Known as the Luberon, after the mountains in which it is located, this area is filled with fieldstone that breaks off flat and is the traditional building material of the region. The shepherds of the area used it to build shelters for themselves and their flocks. These conical structures were known as "bories". Several of these structures exist on the grounds of les Bories, so it became an obvious name for this marvelous establishment. The façade of most of the hotel buildings are faced in this fieldstone and gives the hotel its unique feel and texture. It becomes part of the landscape.
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Click photos where your mouse turns to a hand to see larger version.
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Fine cuisine at Michelin starred Chef Pascal Ginoux
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The stone formed pond and the back side of the main buildings with terrace and wall of windows in the breakfast room and lounge area.
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Lounge by the large, modern pool. Weather permitting, food service from the pool bar.
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Music room where light refreshments are available during the morning. Lots of light.
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View from our bedroom out over the valley with Gordes and it castle in the middle view.
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Click photos where the mouse turns to a hand to see larger version.
Peter D'Aprix © 2008
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The restaurant building, however, is old and exudes old world charm. In fact one of its rooms is located within an ancient "borie". Another is in a more recent but still old building made of stone and ancient wood beams making a historic environment in which to enjoy your modern meals.
The views from this hillside location are outstanding. From here you can see all the way across the wide the wide fertile valley to the towns of the Luberon. The hotel provides everything from an indoor and outdoor swimming pool, indoor lounges and outdoor terraces to nibble, nap, read a book and enjoy a beverage. The flagstone dining room terrace is perfect of alfresco eating. The grounds provide marvelous walking paths and little areas of privacy for contemplation as well as a landing pad for your helicopter.
Fitness buffs will enjoy the well-equipped gym, the walking and hiking trails in the area, tennis and ping-pong, a putting green, and the marvelous spa with a sauna, Hamman, and a wide variety of massage and body treatments.
But more, from this beautiful spot of northern Provence, you will find yourself near many attractions -- the Abbey de Sénanque, the village of Roussillon, Bonnieux, Lacoste (home of the infamous Marquis de Sade), Fontaine de Vaucluse, the hillsides of wild thyme and rosemary and lavender fields. The town known as “Isle sur Sorgue” is criss-crossed by lovely canals and is often called the “Venice of Provence” is a short way away and Avignon is only a bit further.
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Doggie Friendly!
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The back window of the "Borie" dining room.
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Table for tea or other pursuits in the stone walled kitchen garden and fruit tree orchard.
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Typical meandering paths through the lovely Provencal gardens and park.
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Diiningroom window
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Giant Provencal Pot
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Ancient "Bories" in the gardens
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Indoor pool and hot tub - spa
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Each day, there are Provencal outdoor markets, in Apt, Cavaillon, Carpentras and even in all the little villages. The famous Mount Ventoux, whose white stone scree makes it look covered in snow even in summer. One great way to explore the countryside if you are not an active hiker, or even if you are, is by horseback and there are stables nearby. This also is great biking country with the wide, flat valley. For those who enjoy a physical challenge, there are the winding, steep hillside roads on each side.
Back at home base, the hotels’ modern rooms are equipped with all today's comforts from air-conditioning to spacious and luxurious bathrooms, flat screen satellite TV to high speed internet, floor to ceiling windows open onto a private terraces bringing the outside in. One of the characteristics of Provence is its incredible bluish tinted light and the architects made full use of large window space within public rooms and private suites that lets the light flood in and provides marvelous views from almost every room.
Hotel les Bories enjoys many repeat guests who come for extended periods of year after year with family in tow. They are recognized and made to feel like this is a home away from home, their needs met from in-house laundry to knowing that the kids will be safe.
This is a great destination for a long holiday or a weekend get-away. You will never get bored unless you want to be.
Rooms and Suites
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Standard Bedroom
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Nuptiale Room
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Indoor/Outdoor rooms
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Another room
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Member "Small Luxury Hotels of the World"
Hotel Les Bories****
Route de l'abbaye de Senanque
84220 Gordes, France
Tél. +33 (0)4.90.72.00.51
Fax +33 (0)4.90.72.01.22
e-mail:resa@hotellesbories.com
Web Page: www.hotellesbories.com
Services
Indoor and out door swimming pools, Hamman, Sauna,
Exercise Room/Gym, Spa with Egyptian & Greco-Roman treatments
based on aromatherapy and albutherapy (using white flowers).
Marvelous walking trails both on the property and in the
surrounding country.
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