Le Mas des Ponts d'Arles

The food was abysmal. The rooms felt too small, and the hair dryer gave off a sickening smell.

I haven't stayed here yet, but I can't wait to. When my bike broke and I'd been walking for ages, the owner came to my rescue. Frederick is a legend with a heart of gold. I'm sure his hotel is outstanding.

After four weeks of traveling, this was a really pleasant surprise. We ended up staying for a week and hated to leave. It felt more like visiting family than staying in a typical hotel, thanks in part to the very friendly staff who were keen to help. Our room was spotless, with modern decor and a modern bathroom, and we enjoyed the small terrace. The public areas felt inviting too. If you wanted a drink from the bar, you could settle inside or out on the patio. The breakfast room was great, and so was breakfast. The hotel is just off the main road, with parking on site. A short walk takes you to the old part of town, where we could pick something up at the boulangerie or small market. There's also a pool, though we didn't use it. It was a quiet, restful stay at an excellent price.

The location works really well if you're traveling around this area, and the staff were kind and helpful. Still, the hotel is very dated, and I was glad we only stayed one night. Our first room smelled awful. The guy at reception came to deal with the source, which was in the shower, as soon as we told him. The second room had a smell too, though nowhere near as bad. Maybe that's just the age of the hotel. The bed cover was stained, and the shower towel had a hole. I'm sure the staff would have replaced them if we'd mentioned it, but a hotel that respects itself shouldn't have those things in its stock in the first place. If you need a place for a night while traveling nearby, this could be an option because of the location and the friendly, helpful staff.