Garden & City Les Bastides de Grimaud

Just outside Grimaud village, Les Bastides is peaceful, spacious, and well located. The apartments are fully equipped, with a pool and lovely surroundings, and it's good value for families or groups. Some areas could do with updating, but it's a solid pick for a relaxed stay.

Flat 207 had loads of space, and the balcony was wide, private, and looked out over the landscape, just as I'd asked when booking. The setting is lovely, nestled among green hills. My bedroom and living room both had air conditioning that worked well, though having one in the small bedroom would've been nice. I liked the big bathroom's lighting, but there were no hangers in my bedroom. The pool has a warm-water plunge pool, rotonboro, which I really enjoyed after swimming. The sun heats its black tiles. There isn't much natural shade around the pool for most of the day, but there are two umbrellas and lots of stands, so you can bring your own. There may not be many people around during the sunniest hours for that reason. There are three poolside showers, though not all worked well, and the large restrooms are handy for changing. The place is calm, well maintained, and has a Provençal feel. Breakfast is available, the reception is regularly open, which is a big help compared with regular holiday flats, and the staff speak English well.

It's a good place, but you'll want a car to get there easily. The coast, including Sr Maxime and St Tropez, isn't far away. The rooms feel fairly up to date, though a few things were a bit finicky, like the TV remote and one door that didn't open properly.

The staff are courteous and know their stuff, and the location is wonderful. The property is very well designed, but it urgently needs restoration. Some lamps and tables are rusty, locks are broken or incomplete, steps are damaged, and the garden needs attention.