Fodor's Expert Review Airelles Gordes La Bastide

Spectacularly perched on Gordes's hilltop, the 16th-century Bastide has both old-world charm and old-world elegance—it's also one of the few properties in Provence to have earned Palace status, meaning that it's among the best of the country's five-star hotels. Along with a trove of 18th-century antiques, designers brought in 4,000 paintings for the guest rooms. It has several restaurants, including the exceptional La Bastide. Manicured lawns and a broad shaded terrace are geared to relaxation, as is the luxe Airelles Spa, which includes a hammam, a sauna, and an indoor pool with breathtaking views of the Vallée de Gordes. In summer, the hotel has special activities programs for children and teens.