Les Jardins de Bakea

The weather kept us from having dinner on the patio, which was a shame. Still, the staff were smiling and welcoming, and the food was superb at both dinner and breakfast. It's a lovely family-run hotel, with a comfortable room, a nice queen-size bed, air conditioning, and a small balcony. We'd definitely return.

Even with the bad weather, the views were incredible. Our room was spacious and airy, with a good-sized balcony, and we could bring our pet for a small charge. The hotel is near the motorway but far enough away that we noticed no traffic noise or pollution. We arrived late after a 12-hour drive, and the multilingual staff were welcoming and very accommodating despite the hour. The food was genuinely exceptional, with lots of variety and a focus on local produce. I'd recommend this place to anyone who asks, and probably to a few people who don't.

The welcome has been friendly every time we've come, right from our first visit. We've been staying at Les Jardins for about 12 years while travelling down to Praia da Luz in Portugal, and the rooms are great and the food is to die for. Our Border Terrier seems very comfortable there too, with a lovely garden to roam around. We've already booked for 2023.

Biriatou itself doesn't have much going on, but this Alpine lodge hotel is fabulously beautiful and a real bucket-list place. I'd go there to walk, or just bring a few books and read while taking in the mountain views. The food is excellent. Book a long weekend and soak it all up.