Airelles, La Bastide de Gordes

The pool and its view over the Luberon Valley are spectacular, and Airelles Gordes is undeniably beautiful. But the details didn’t live up to the property’s caliber. Service felt unpolished at times, and the dated shower head in our room was below the luxury standard I expected. It’s a breathtaking retreat, though the execution needs some refinement to match its five-star reputation.

We rarely felt crowded in the shared spaces, thanks to the small number of rooms, though mealtimes were busier. Breakfast was excellent, and we ate at three of the four restaurants on site. All were good, with Clover our favorite. The room looked beautiful and was tastefully themed around the local area. The included minibar, Dyson hairdryer and Nespresso machine were appreciated, and the arrival and turndown gifts were lovely. Housekeeping was consistently excellent. Staff were plentiful and attentive, many spoke English, and we had no communication issues. The concierge was very helpful. We had a magnificent stay at Airelles Gordes this fall and hope to return.

I booked a very expensive room at Airelles Gordes, La Bastide, then contacted the hotel to ask about a photo opportunity. Instead of asking what I had in mind or discussing options, ANNE-SOPHIE MAIGNE sent a PDF quoting 6000 euros for dinner, flowers and other things I had never requested. When I tried to clarify, she kept copying and pasting the same information. I still don’t understand what that amount covers, especially since she said some of it was already included with the room booking. I asked several questions and got no answers. When I asked to cancel the reservation, though, I got a reply in half a second. The assumptions and lack of communication and collaboration were shocking from a hotel that says it excels at helping guests. A previous guest’s review captured my experience well: “The hotel's flexibility left much to be desired, especially when it came to accommodating reasonable requests. I was shocked by the attitude of the management - not only did they lack the basic cordiality one might expect from a hotel manager, but their conduct bordered on rudeness. Inflexibility and discourteous are the best words I can use to describe it.” ANNE-SOPHIE MAIGNE is an embarrassment to Airelles Group, and management should consider hiring someone with basic communication skills. This is supposed to be a luxury hotel, yet the rooms are shoe box sized.

During our two weeks in South France, this was the best hotel we stayed at. The sunset view from La Table restaurant was dreamy, and I loved the hotel’s impeccable design and decor. Service went above and beyond, and the Guerlain SPA was so relaxing. I adored the rustic chic feel. We’ll definitely return, and La Bastide has made us love Airelles brand even more. Well done!